Which rear end for 400bhp MGB

[mgb260]

Hey Jay, GM 10 bolts after about 89 or so went to 7.625 ring gear and 28 spline axles. If I remember correctly,even the rear cover and outer bearings were the same as the earlier 7.5. The Australian 9 bolt was used in higher performance Camaro/Firebird. That rear cover looks more like a Dana and no C clips, also 7.75 ring gear.  Another option for a narrow rear is the 89-92 GM S10 2WD. It is 54"wide and if you cut 1" off splined ends to eliminate C clips, narrow tubes and use Ford bearing ends comes out 52" same as stock MGB. 4.75" Chevy wheel lug pattern.

[TXS67BGT]

counted, 10 bolt.

[waterbucket]

There is another axle available in the UK, the one from the Reliant Scimitar SE5. I think I am right in saying that it is only 11/2 inches wider than the original B axle, it has the brackets already for a four link location and a Watts linkage for lateral location. It takes Jaguar diffs (or Dana 44) so plenty of choice there for ratios and lsd. I guess it might be lighter than the Land Rover axle.

[v8bloke]

Thanks everyone.
looking at the photos some have mounted the shocks just in front and some just behind the axle. The ford escort coil over kits mount the shocks on top of the axle. Is this as a result of packaging or is there an optimum position. I have room to fit them on top of the axle or just in front. Which would be best?
Cheers
Mark

[Moderator]

Putting the shocks in front of the axle leaves room for a Panhard rod or Watts linkage between the axle and fuel tank.

[TXS67BGT]

for your reference, shocks behind the axle. used Bill Guzmans setup as the basis

[mgb260]

Jay, Nice looking setup. It'll be a smooth ride. Did you center or use aftermarket fuel tank? Curtis is right on front mount shocks/rear panhard , not a lot of room between the rear axle and tank . Triangulated like Jay and Graham have can be mounted either way. V8bloke(Mark) any progress pics?

[roverman]

Mark, We are about "sharing", beneficial knowlegde-here.  How about you tell us all about your TA headed, RV8 build ?  You have not mentioned, if you will need different r & p ratios, for different circuits. If so,IMHO, you'll definately want a drop-out center section.Servicing a drop-out, on a bench, sure beats an "integral", in the car.  Are you drag racing or road racing ? Drag slicks and drag tuned suspension, will shock-load a chosen rear, to the max. There are items to counter-act this. 8" Fords have 31 spline axles available, even hollow , lightweight full floater set-ups. 4 spider limited slip units, including gear only.What will be the r & p ratio, as this affects strength. More teeth in contact + stronger.  Maybe a ring gear "thrust button", like 9 inchers use ? "Soft-lock" clutches, are available.  Perhaps a rubber coupled drive shaft ?  Good Luck, Now tell us, about your RV8.  roverman.

[v8bloke]

Thanks guys,
modifications are progressing at a very slow pace. Will post pics soon. Rather than work around the existing metalwork I have chopped out everything between the chassis rails inc most of the boot floor up as far as the rear seat kick panel. I seem to spend a lot of time just looking at it with arms crossed trying to figure out the best way forward.
The brackets for the Mumford linkage are made and am waiting for billet ally bell cranks to be made.
I will be using an MGB axle with stronger shafts for now but have made sure there is room to swap to a larger rear end if needed.
At the moment I am making and welding on all the housing brackets for upper and lower trailing links, mumford links and anti roll bar. I am still not decided exactly where I will be mounting the coil overs but it is likely to be behind the axle as the mumford link brackets will double up for mounting them.
Also I am having an aluminium fuel cell made that will fit upright with a built in swirl pot and baffles.
Although the car is road legal it is mainly used for track days and is stripped out so I am not at all worried about originality.
Will post some pics soon.

Mark