Modifying the IRS for a North American donor.

[asennad]

Last month while I was in the UK I had the great pleasure of visiting Saturn Sports Cars.
( I just happened to be in Hartlepool because that’s were my father’s family is from.)

I was given a remarkable ride in one of their cars:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSeE-dkV4cg

I am currently building a Locost here in Toronto and have been searching for a solid axle but after seeing the Haynes Roadster in person I am really interested in using the IRS design from it.

The Sierra ( aka Merkur) rear diff is very had to come by here and they were never produced in a limited slip version in North America.

Any suggestions for alternative donors that would be found here?

I am wondering if Nissan 240SX diff would work. Similar size and weight but slightly different drive shafts arrangement.

[GraemeWebb]

[quote=asennad;37372]Last month while I was in the UK I had the great pleasure of visiting Saturn Sports Cars.
( I just happened to be in Hartlepool because that’s were my father’s family is from.)

I was given a remarkable ride in one of their cars:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSeE-dkV4cg

I am currently building a Locost here in Toronto and have been searching for a solid axle but after seeing the Haynes Roadster in person I am really interested in using the IRS design from it.

The Sierra ( aka Merkur) rear diff is very had to come by here and they were never produced in a limited slip version in North America.



QUOTE]


Any suggestions for alternative donors that would be found here?

I am wondering if Nissan 240SX diff would work. Similar size and weight but slightly different drive shafts arrangement.[/

I'm using a BMW 318i donor and have done some mods to the chassis to fit it. I dont know the Nissan that well but with a bit of thought I'm sure it will be do'able.

[twinturbo]

A Merkur Scorpio would be fine.

MK5's have been talked about

But E30/36 is the main alternate choice.

TT

[Tim Taylor]

Mazda Miata MX5 is a popular donor. I'm using an XR4Ti. There are several aftermarket LSD replacements for the Ford 7.5" diffs

[alga]

For a book and online build log of a Miata locost build, see http://cheapsportscar.net/

[asennad]

Originally Posted by twinturbo

But E30/36 is the main alternate choice.

Do you have any links or builders logs where I can learn more about using the BMW rear end?

[GraemeWebb]

Originally Posted by asennad

Do you have any links or builders logs where I can learn more about using the BMW rear end?

I am using an E36 donor so you can look at my flicker pictures via the link below. In another week I should post pictures of the beemer front uprights.

[flyerncle]

Freelander ? by Land Rover

[7ishNZ]

I am using a Nissan R200 lsd in my build.. ratios are available from 3.5 to 4.8 and viscous LSD centers are very cheap. Problem is, it is very heavy.. about 40kgs.
I am about to replace it with a subaru R160 lsd. This weighs 22kgs. In the USA you should be able to find plenty of Subaru diffs in a wide range of ratios. Hope this helps.

http://lotus7.co.nz/forum/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=72