Which Diff to use.

[Andy302]

Is there some black art to working out which differential ratio to use? Or put in another way, given a ford 302W with the full Edelbrock performer package, mated to a Tremec 3550 for street use mainly. which Diff ratio do I want. Ive already decided on a P/Lock diff so which one would I need.

I untend to use 16 or 17" rims, most likely 17" as I like the filled arches look. Oh its on GD if thats required?

Thanks

Andy R
Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

[robert]

I have used a 2:88 diff, and with a long 5th gear it was great for motorways, but crap for top end, always have to drop down to 4th if I want more than 160. I have just bought a 3:31 lsd so that whould be better.

It does drop my 3rd and 4th speeds down, from 122 in 3rd to 112 and 168 in 4th to 157 but I can live with it.

With a 2:88 you need a bit of grunt to accelerate in 5th, but it is easier to drop to 4th.

My advice is to go somewhere in the middle and use a 3:07 possibly.

HTH

[Robin427]

Robert,

Do you know what ratio you get in the GD Euro?

Robin

Drive it like you stole it...
http://www.creffield.com/cobra/index.html

[robert]

It is a 3:07 if I remember correctly, but not a jag diff.

[Miket]

Andy

2.88 High top end speed with low revs when cruising, good fuel economy, acceleration will suffer.

3.54 Lower top end speed with higher revs when cruising, low fuel economy, stacks of acceleration.

Anything in between will alter statistics either one way or the other.

Depends entirely what you want from the car.

[Andy302]

Thanks everyone.

I spoke to someone at Wards earlier who also thought somewhere round a 3.07 would be good, so Thats what Ill aim for I think. Or if unavailable the 2.88 would do, (not going near 160 Rob!!)

They said that with no donor a price of £2400 would get me the works with a 2.88 LSD.
No V5 though so would need to buy a set of old Jag stuff to hand over, that drops their price by £100!

Any other options open to me on the V5 front?

Cheers

Andy R
Proper Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance!

[Happy Jim]

Andy,

GD have the set listed on their web site as £1700 ex VAT, might be worth a chat first

Cheers

Jim

[graham]

Yeah I have a 3.54:1 (non lsd) diff and its super gears 1-4 (T5) and 5th is a great cruising gear as only 0.63 : so best of both worlds.

Graham

[bitterandy]

I bought my V5 from John Gordon's Jag Supplies (£50) having sourced my own jag parts in the local scrappy. I spoke to Malcolm there, he was very helpful - also sent out some great exploded diagrams for reconditioning things.

Andy

[Miket]

Andy

Ssshhh, DVLA folks can see this web-page.