FE-FC Holden Discussion Forum

What the best and best for hip pocket way of throwing discs on the rear of the FC? Should the diff go too?

best way would be to get a borg warner diff shortened....although keeping in mind you will need to run 14" rims

Isn't there a Volvo diff that will work?

Forget the Borg Warner!
Like SRVLIVES said, get your hands on a Volvo diff -
1. Correct width or close to
2. Correct old holden stud pattern
you just need to get the brackets changed over.
Check which ratio you get though as most Volvos are 4s and will have low gears.
If you want LSD it will cost a packet, but so will shortening a BW.

 ;D ;D or you could try a skyline diff BUT you have to get the stud pattern redrilled :o ;D ;D

nes138. (don't know your name as you haven't posted it)

check out the Vic EH holden site as they have a great how to on how to fit rear discs and the pit falls. You will have to join the site to access the info.
John M

 You can use either a Volvo 164 diff , it has a 3.55 ratio , the 144 , 244 etc are 4.11 ratio so are no good.
The other option is fit the rear discs from a UC Torana or a 4 cylinder VB Commondore.

the added advantages of using the Volvo diff is
1,they are near identical to the 10 bolt diff only they have thicker axles so are even stronger,
2,they are 2inches narrower so give more room for deep dish rims.
3, they have same brake pads as HR to HK disc brakes(you know the little square type)
you will need diff mounted on a jig to stop bending from heat when you cut off all mounts and weld in Holden type.

NES138.....from my unerstanding of this when I went through the whole " Rear Discs" thing, is that Volvo diff's are a DANA diff...( DANA 44 I think ), which are the same brand and type of diffs used on Jeeps, so you know they are going to take some punishment.

The other thing to remember, is that the Handbrake system on a Volvo diff is a small drum brake inside the diff housing, not cables to the disc callipers !

After going through all the ups and downs and realising the cost plus all the work involved, I ended up sticking with my Banjo diff, but sourced a good LSD Banjo Centre.  Should handled more power than the standard slippery diff.    Enough to run my Red 6 at least !

Hope you work out what's best for you, and you find what you are looking for.

Cheers

Mark

I LOVE the wealth of knowledge out there. its fantastic that the help is here. thanks for all the ideas. But the volvo idea is one I've never heard of.
what year model is the recommended diff from and can I use the original handbrake from the volvo
and the UC torana idea...... are those discs straight change over?

Cheers, Marc

I believe the model is VOLVO 240 / 245  

Older, but not ancient Volvos.   Not sure of the year !

Mark

The 244 wagon has the best ratio. I cannot remember the exact numbers, but will try & find the research I did.

Rob J

cheers rob
any ideas on cost or ease of fitment

Hey Rob J,
did you find that research info you mentioned.
As i have just found a stash of volvos and the askin price for an lsd disc to disc is $150.
cheers
Scott

Hi Collecta.
Slack arse me, didn't get my act together. BUT, somewhere on this forum, there is a BIG discussion on it.


Here is a link to one of the discussions way back when. BUT, Dr Terry isn't too keen & says the VN one is the way to go. He would know, as he is a fair dinkum Holden Guru.

http://www.fefcholden.org.au/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.cgi?board=hotup;action=display;num=1018179865;start=1

But, you will also note that he mentions the LSD ones as rare. If you found one, I still reckon you shpould grab it.

Rob J

Gday all,
              I have a VN commodore diff in my FE sedan with HZ discs on front and a Gemini booster.  Just had the engineer inspection yesterday, including road testing, and he was telling me that this combination is the best you can get, from a braking point of view.  The results of the road tests were as good as a new commodore.  The instruments he used measures G force, distance to full stop and time until full stop.

               I am more than happy with the way the car brakes and handles.  Hope this helps.

Michael

 G`day Michael , what model Gemini is the booster from , and what did you do for a master cylinder ?
I was told TD Gemini and XB F*&d master cylinder , but they arent compatible.

hi blacky, i am runnning a VH dsc brake diff in my FC i used a booster from a vl/vk and the master cylinder from a VN, had to modify the bracket slightly but it all matched up pretty easy. the only thing i wasnt completely happy with was the angle of the fluid container, i ended up using and slightly modifying one from a later model magna.

Blacky,
           The booster is from a TD Gemini using a VN commodore master cylinder.  Also by using this it does not intrude on the master cylinder for the manual gearbox, as a larger commodore one would.

Michael