Manky Monkey Motors

Sorry folks for asking but......

Could a reliant axle take the power of a v8 if i was to have new stronger half shafts made?

Am speaking about 250 bhp ish

Considering next build and what I have lying about!!

cheers

Gary

Hi Gary

The Reliant axle was designed for a vehicle with 39 BHP. Would you want to chance putting 250 BHP through it?

You need something much more beefier.

Yes I know it sounds stupid but just wondered if anyone knew if the diff would handle it? know the half shafts would look like spaghetti hence wondering if the diff with strong shafts would work. Looking for the easy route as have an axle with nice wheels

Flog the axle and buy something that will take that amount of "grunt" as its unlikely that the Reliant will, consistently! Morrag

The answer is NO !
Even if the diff and half shafts could take the power the alloy casing and the rivets holding the tubes wouldn't. As Morrag says, find an axle more suitable to your needs.
Ford Atlas axle or a Salisbury from a Land Rover spring to mind if you are looking for a solid axle.

Depends on hardtail or suspension ? Solid mounted/shocks/IRS ?

Hi Gary.
I've got a Rover V8 hooked up to a 2 litre Sherpa van axle, but that has low gearing, which suits my tall tyres.
Volvo axles are popular with the V8 crowd.

I think Volvo axles died out of fashion years ago ???

So did Rover V8s :)

Thanks guys for all the replies but are you poo pooing me now for the V8 idea

Not at all -I've got a Rover motor in my truck :)

Not at all. A V8 trike is a great idea if that's what you are into. Just that with a bigger engine you need to build everything bigger/stronger to suit.

On the contrary methinks ? We all want to see you build it I'm sure ? Mr Olds is correct build it beefy and strong but hopefully with some style and finesse ? (Hopefully no chequer plate /angle iron ? ::))Take your time with the design,collect as many parts you can ready for the build..lots of different Axles out there that can take the power of your v8..BMW /Mercedes /jag/Japanese /American ?
Just google images and choose/research ..

Good replies, the reliant is struggling with anything near 100bhp, beyond that no chance.
Now, if I was building a v8 it would be a nice short gearbox - like a bmw, with a sierra diff on it.
Failing that, a volvo transaxle mated straight on via a short tube - sit on the box stylee.

Yes a short gearbox would be perfect. If I do a build there would be a lot of stupid questions from me like are you meaning mating BM box to Rover v8????

Gary, there are no stupid questions, they are a search for knowledge. The guys and gals on here have been so helpful to me with my builds.

Ask away my friend.

BMW axle..cheap and plentiful ..if your v8 comes with a gearbox use it?

Yes, why not, the work involved is small compared with building the whole trike.