English axle build - advise needed

**mike24dh** · 04-10-2020, 21:22

hello, just wanted peoples opinion on best parts for a english axle in a mk2 escort running 200-300 bhp for track and drifting, looking to go plated lsd, not sure which though, have people had experience with blackline? alot of companies seem to be selling them so wondered if they are any good? also blackline are now making a semi floating kit for the english axle which sounds great on paper but dont know if its worth going down that route compared to normal two piece half shafts in reality?
any help much appreciated
thanks
mike

**Forest_rallying** · 06-10-2020, 21:04

I haven't had any experience myself with Blackline products but I am led to believe they are made in China and imported and sold via Rally Design and they are a torque bias diff similar to the Quaife one. I would say the Blackline item is too cheap to be any good. I'll let you make your own mind up on that one.

Have you tried looking at 3J Transmission axle products. I know they do a slightly stronger halfshaft for the English axle but it might be getting over it's limitations with 300 bhp. Have a look om MST's site they are advertised on there.

**bernih** · 13-10-2020, 21:20

an English axle won't take 300bhp. Maybe 200bhp for a while with a good quality build and a quality lsd but they were only ever rated at 150bhp max. In my experience it's tyre grip that kills them.
Bernie

**onecamohv** · 15-10-2020, 16:24

Originally Posted by bernih

an English axle won't take 300bhp. Maybe 200bhp for a while with a good quality build and a quality lsd but they were only ever rated at 150bhp max. In my experience it's tyre grip that kills them.
Bernie

My experience also - im running an english axle, 3J lsd on standard shafts with a relatively mild XE, probably about 185bhp.
I use the car for targa rallies and autotests. i've snapped 2 shafts in the last year when i ran A021R's on dry tarmac. And i wasnt abusing it, i was driving it with minding the axle in mind, expecally on the starts.
I can stretch to an atlas, and i still cant afford a 2 piece shaft kit but its next on my upgrade list for sure - last time i broke a shaft i broke 2 sun gears and damaged the casing. not cheap to keep doing either.

@ OP I would recommend a shaft upgrade kit as a bare minimum for your application

**onecamohv** · 15-10-2020, 16:39

**mrmk2** · 15-10-2020, 17:39

A mate of mine who was racing rallycross in an Holden(!) wit a v8 in it always put the shafts in a lathe and took a little of them on the middle so they should break there. Easyer to get it out when it broke and never ruined the diff.