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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Chevy rear axle anyone??

This small snippet appears in the current issue of MG World. I thought it may be of use to some of our friends on the other side of the pond.

QUOTE - A US company is adapting Chevrolet S-10 rear axles for use with high-powered MGBs. The axles are reduced in width, drilled to accept MGB wheels and fitted with spring pads and anti-roll mountings. The axles are said to be tough enough to cope with even the most powerful V8 engines, and are brand new - not reconditioned - units. For details contact D&D Fabrications in Michigan on 001 810 798 2491 or go to www.aluminiumv8.com - UNQUOTE

I was going to copy and paste the weblink but, as quoted there, it doesn't seem to work. Google turns up mention of the company in other sites and the phone no. appears to be OK.

Hope this helps - Martin
J M SWIRE

Martin,
On this side of the pond, non-ferrous lightweight metal is spelled with one "i" not two. ie "aluminum". Dan's website does respond at
http://www.aluminumv8.com/

We MG owners are very fortunate to have a resource like D & D for our conversion needs. These Chevy axles represent the neverending quest by Dan to improve and provide additional options to the would-be
V8 converter.

Graham

Graham Creswick

Fair enough Graham - Obviously someone on the the magazine did not check their source.
I have quoted it as it was printed.
Thanks - Martin
J M SWIRE

How about using the Chevy differential housing (central cast steel assembly) and the MG axle tubes. I've done some measuring and find that the MG axle tubes should fit into the sides of the Chevy housing. You maintain your original spring mountings, brakes, and parking brake linkage, yet gain the large variety of axle ratios available for the Chevy. This is what I plan to do in order to keep my wire wheel rear axle and still have a good rear ratio. I would think that the Chevy axle could easily be machined to fit the MG outer bearing and brake drum for a disc wheel car.
Bill Young

martin, i have a rear end from a chevy s10 in my conversion and i have been runing it for 2 seasons now, it has LSD and we kept the stock disc brakes as well, with the ease of parts over here as well as the wide choice of ratios i have been very pleased with it and it is smaller and i believe lighter than the ford one i had in my BGT, jim
james madson

James,
What are the details of you axle? Mods, who did the work, Etc.
Thanks,
David
David

David,
I'm going to be bold on this one to answer for Jim.

1998 Camaro housing, and disc brakes. Gleason Torson Limited slip, 3.42 ratio out of a late model S10 pickup.
This requires 15" wheels if you dont want to grind any material off the calipers as well as a proportioning valve for the best all around braking.


I have been studying many other styles of GM rear ends for conversion as well. One of my sub-shops built the axle under my guidance at our specifications. We didn't come off anyone elses plans for these but quite a number of people on this BBS gave very good information on pinion angles and all that. I believe that a number of V8 converters as well as others have already used the GM- Chevrolet S10 and Camaro rear axles, but for a while, it looked as though everyone wanted the Ford 8" because it could be dropped out. Well, if you build it correctly and don't go from a 150 stock BHP engine to a 300 BHP peaky motor, then you will probably never need to disassemble the unit- Ford or GM.
Regards,
-BMC.
BMC Brian McCullough

Brian,
Thanks for the info. I presently have a 3.3 MGC axle but I am worried about it for reasons I won't get into. What is the cost factor on a set up as you describe and, forgive my ignorance, is the Torsen LSD an aftermaket item and what is its additional cost cost?
David
David

I have been using the Camaro-Firebird rear ends which they come on some models with 10" rear disc brakes, and have several choices of gear ratios anything from 2:98 to 4:56 I prefer the 3:54 LSD The axle bolt pattern can be change to a 4 lug to fit the B wheels.

It's cheaper than the 8" Ford. A complete housing with disc brakes from the wrecking yard sell from $75 to $200 to shorten the axle $100 to $200 Axles from Moser $300 or less and that includes new seals and bearings, ready to install. Brake depends, rebuilt claipers $90 each exchange, rotors $60 each.
A 8" ford complete with disc ready to install from Currie Lots of $$$$$.

The S-10 rear axle is also a good choice.
Bill Guzman

I would recommend the Ford 8.8", same reasons as bill listed for the GM units. pricing seems about the same. The "OLD" 8 and 9" units are getting hard to come by in terms of parts and gears.. the 8.8 is fully supported by the current aftermarket as it is still in use in Ford cars today..
Larry Embrey

I agree with Larry. I've got and 8.8 with posi-trac behind my Rover 4.6L with 3:08 gearing. When I got all done with the narrowing and grinding off the excess casting it weighted in at 164 lbs with 9 inch drums. And is essential bullet proof for most of us!
Steve LaGoy

Good information
Jay

Yeah there is no way we are going to hurt a 8.8 There are mustang guys pushing 500+rwhp through them with no issues, and anybody tht know mustangs knows they hook HARD off the line which is where you will see max stress, plus they have another 1200lbs of weight in many of them, so we have no worries..

If and when I do my 100% drag only car I will be using a 8.8 as well. I still have to get mine shortened for the Current car, been to busy with motor work!!
Larry Embrey

I also finally decided to go with the 8.8, though in the IRS configuration. I decided against the 8" and 9" because despite all their advantages it is a less efficient gear layout which means increased fuel costs. I expect that is why Ford discontinued it as well. The S10/Camaro axle seems a good choice, and Dan L is currently touting it's advantages also.

Jim
Jim Blackwood

This thread was discussed between 14/06/2003 and 28/06/2003

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