using a bigger axle, will it use more power?

[57truck]

Hi any advise would be greatly appreciated, I broke a half shaft in my english axle at the hot rod drags, which then broke the spool, bearing and the Cap!

http://imagehosting.rodsnsods.co.uk/24964ca8935fbdee6.jpg

http://imagehosting.rodsnsods.co.uk/24964ca8905aec24e.jpg

I have been thinking about putting an 8.8" axle in, as repairing the damage will be expensive and it will probably just happen again. Will the bigger crown wheel of the 8.8" significantly use more power to turn the wheels?

The car only has a x flow with approx 165bhp so i dont want to have any unnecessary power loss, as i aint got much as it is lol!

Thanks Joe

[Morris460]

It depends on the axle design, mainly the pinion centreline to crown wheel relationship, also crown wheel size. That's why the 9" Ford uses a lot of power (low pinion CL). It is also what gives it it's strength together with the good sized crown wheel and pinion.
Bear in mind that some of the figures bandied about for power loss are given without reference to how they were obtained and with what. The figure is normally at max load for the axle, so will be considerably less for a lower power engine.
What about a Volvo axle, plenty strong enough for your power output. They are fairly common and strong.

[eeb43]

Hi any advise would be greatly appreciated, I broke a half shaft in my english axle at the hot rod drags, which then broke the spool, bearing and the Cap!

http://imagehosting.rodsnsods.co.uk/24964ca8935fbdee6.jpg

http://imagehosting.rodsnsods.co.uk/24964ca8905aec24e.jpg

I have been thinking about putting an 8.8" axle in, as repairing the damage will be expensive and it will probably just happen again. Will the bigger crown wheel of the 8.8" significantly use more power to turn the wheels?

The car only has a x flow with approx 165bhp so i dont want to have any unnecessary power loss, as i aint got much as it is lol!

Thanks Joe

invest in a pair of quaife shafts £175.00 each with flanges and bearings

[gettinonabitmore]

invest in a pair of quaife shafts £175.00 each with flanges and bearings

Plus a Quaife ATB diff...!!!

[Adam]

Also you could have bearing saddles machined which sit on top of your caps providing extra strength. A favoured trick with the early 55-64 Chevy axles.