FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

ok   the wagon is done and had a bit of a break from getting my hands dirty. ;D
now my thoughts have turned to the fe i got for the wife but now she does not want it anymore so that make it mine ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/just40/fe%20holden/DCP_0727.jpg)
so i have got a real good 173 here and should get a hr front end soon,i want to still run the crash box but want to run a better diff,want is the best to use?????
and also how hard is it to roll the guards,i have some old chrome steel mags here i want to use 7 inch front and 8 inch rear.also want to lower it aswell.
(http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a19/just40/DCP_0727.jpg)
any tips would be great.

I wouldnt worry to much about the diff with the crash box as the crash box will probably be the weak link that will break before the diff.
both should handle ok if you take it easy.
You may want to take advantage of the extra power and use a 3.08 ratio centre for lower rpm on the freeway.
Volvo diffs are a little stronger, give you disc brakes and fit early holden stud patterns but wont let you lower the car very far becuase the tailshaft will hit the floor.
centura diffs can be modified and are stronger and use drum brakes.
88 on commodore diffs are also often used with discs and need to also be modified to fit , all these are probably excess for a 173 / crashbox combo.

While I was broken down today at a local garage due to bloody electronic ignition a mate drove in for the car wash with his trading post screamer  in the tray of his hilux-  A 471 blown 192 ,4 pound boost all accesories polished or chromed , blower pistons and reciepts to 7.5k  a few hours dyno time and 320 horsies for $1000 less than just the blower alone from most outlets, It had a beefed up M21 four speed behind it with brass button clutch which he said will be sold and the engine will be dropped back in front of the crunch box ,320 Horses should make it a crush box real quick but I just couldnt tell him anything when he had his mind set on something so rediculous.
He already has a nine inch in it (go figure)

Sorry about heading off topic just40 but heres my 2 bobs worth - I went through 3 crunch boxes with a 3:08 centred diff in a ute with 225/60/14 tyres so Id recomend staying with the higher numbered ratio diff to avoid loading up the box at every set of lights.

Also I was told today that a 180 volvo (wasnt completely sure on the model No) is identical in dimensions to a 9 inch centre ? I wouldnt have thought so but he pressed the issue and also said they suit early holden stud pattern and are the same width or narrower ..

i did not want to cut the tunnel but maybe i will and put a 4 or 5 speed in.

aaaaarrrggghhhhhhh sh%t, dam.

any way, just 40, I just mean your crash box is probably the weak link in your drive combo, I had one on a red for about six minutes till it when bang, my uncle also had one behind a red in his fc van and its still there 20 years later, depends on if you are going to baby it or thrash it, but if you arent going to thrash it you probably will do fine by just bolting in a eh-hr diff housing and centre.

thanks for the input boys,but after having a bit more of a think about it i am going to stay with the grey.
i have pickrd up a twin carbie setup and extractors,and some 8 inch steel rims.
just dont want to do all the mod plate stuff......... :(

why not, they might be dearer to rebuild and have less power but greys are cool.