So this update is the first one where its been an expensive update, I mean the Escort is an expensive enough car to build and there are expensive bits, but this is the first large cash sum I’ve had to pay out for parts since its first failed build attempt. incase you couldn’t guess from the title its got something to do with 3J drivelines, a company who’s products seam to get all the right recognition. I knew from the off I wanted a 3J NXG diff, there awesome, everyone who I’ve spoken too who knows them seams to have a really really high opinion of them.
Armed with enough cash from selling my BMW I set about getting one of my biggest concerns with running a 250bhp turbo engine sorted out, the back axle… apparently 180bhp is the max for a English axle like mine, however everyones escort I seen at Retrostock 2 2015 was running an english and everyone I talked too said the same 3J diff and atlas shafts. Ben Morely and his escort “Goldmember” with a 300bhp Cosworth YB runs a english, with 3J diff and shafts.
I spoke to Richard Birchall at MK2 Mania, and after a lengthy discussion about what i wanted the car to do and the diff to do it was agreed. a 3J NXG diff with 45-45 ramp angles and a medium preload would be the best setup for a primarily street car that still should be fun and quick on track and equally at home on a drift day.
After buying the diff I needed someone to build the damn thing, after contacting Retrostock and asking them if they could point me in the direction of someone. Declan Munnely of BDC fame is who they lined me up with, sadly he’s 200 miles away… so last Friday my Expectant Wife and I left at 11 am to meet Declan, we met him at 4 and with the diff built up in the pigs head we headed home, arriving at midnight it was a long enough day but definitely worth it.
Thats the whole lot exploded on my bodywork bench, looking very er separate. But you can really see the difference in size between the 18 spline shaft size and the standard 22 spline english shafts
And the showpiece itself, its a class bit of kit when you see it the quality is excellent, overall I’m very chuffed as i had thought “I wonder if I could get away with welding the diff and buy the LSD and shafts later, I think it would have laster 1/2 a lap at mondelo before ruining my day.
at last the cars starting to go back together a little bit, yes its only the back axle but its progress, the axle just needs aligned up nicely and its sorted.
Proof the car is on its own wheel again, atleast at one end.
and one of the back of the raised bonet, definitely needed to keep the turbo Saab motor cool. think it need a little more raising though.
Next update will be more Signal Orange-y-ness.
Gambles Customs 