Ital axel, is it that bad?
Discussion
Have also posted this in the Kit Car forum but think it might be useful in here too:
Have searched the threads and found various opinions mostly bad, but is it really a no go area? I am looking at a Caterham with 160bhp 2.0 zetec coupled to an Ital axel, one of my mates have said not worth the risk and another 2 have said it isn't as bad as some people think.
I won't be doing track days, it is purely for touring and weekend fun so not going to get mega thrashed, but like wise i don't want to put pedal to metal and hear a loud bang!
Your thoughts gentlemen.......and ladies : )
Kind Regards
C B
Have searched the threads and found various opinions mostly bad, but is it really a no go area? I am looking at a Caterham with 160bhp 2.0 zetec coupled to an Ital axel, one of my mates have said not worth the risk and another 2 have said it isn't as bad as some people think.
I won't be doing track days, it is purely for touring and weekend fun so not going to get mega thrashed, but like wise i don't want to put pedal to metal and hear a loud bang!
Your thoughts gentlemen.......and ladies : )
Kind Regards
C B
160 bhp for a standard Ital axle and you may well be asking for trouble, after all these axles and diffs where only designed with about 80 hp in mind.
If on the other hand you have say a Quaife ATB installed, new crown and pinions correctly shimmed, decent halfshaft then you are talking about a different beast all together. And yes that set up should look after you quite nicely. That said don't go silly with to much power 160 / 170 i'd say is about right.
Over fill the diff oil to prevent the surgeing and you should be fine. If you do run the track enjoy but try not to run the curbs to much with the Ital set up because modded or not it may well start to grizzle at some point.
Ford axle is heavier than the Ital but said to be stronger. You can swap an Ital for a Ford axle but there will be a bit of tin work around the tunnel area to get the thing to fit. When my Quaife Ital axle lets go then maybe i'll change over but for the time being i'm more than happy.
If on the other hand you have say a Quaife ATB installed, new crown and pinions correctly shimmed, decent halfshaft then you are talking about a different beast all together. And yes that set up should look after you quite nicely. That said don't go silly with to much power 160 / 170 i'd say is about right.
Over fill the diff oil to prevent the surgeing and you should be fine. If you do run the track enjoy but try not to run the curbs to much with the Ital set up because modded or not it may well start to grizzle at some point.
Ford axle is heavier than the Ital but said to be stronger. You can swap an Ital for a Ford axle but there will be a bit of tin work around the tunnel area to get the thing to fit. When my Quaife Ital axle lets go then maybe i'll change over but for the time being i'm more than happy.
Apply the Chapman philosophy. Drive it till it breaks, then fix it better! 
You can then speak to Steve Perks, for one of his very sexy axles.
Here http://www.spcomponents.co.uk/gpage5.html
You can then speak to Steve Perks, for one of his very sexy axles.
Here http://www.spcomponents.co.uk/gpage5.html
I'm putting around 140 BHP through mine both on the road and track, and in my own deliberations came accross quite a few being run upto 160 BHP, and if they do fail it's normally due to curb jumping.
Make sure you do over fill the diff through the breather together with fitting a nipple and pipe to a catch pot to catch any overspill.
If you don't you will end up with a oil covered diff and any surplus onto the track.
There is a history of the diff oil degrading the mounting bush on the A Frame at the bottom of the diff.
Make sure you do over fill the diff through the breather together with fitting a nipple and pipe to a catch pot to catch any overspill.
If you don't you will end up with a oil covered diff and any surplus onto the track.
There is a history of the diff oil degrading the mounting bush on the A Frame at the bottom of the diff.
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