fbekholden.com

Errol62 wrote:Genuine HR disc caliper for sure.

9” is overkill though relatively accessible. They are big and heavy. Shortened Borg Warner are easily capable of handling abuse. Banjo are easy but getting scarcer and dearer. They handle sensible use well in a lighter car such as FB EK.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Thanks mate , the car won't be driven hard so will just stay with the banjo .

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If you stick with a stock diff there are plenty of spares around if you do happen to do an axle, if you go Torana diff to get more dish on your wheels pretty sure there are aftermarket axles available for them.

You can get fine spline Torana axles to run with true trac centre. Possibly the strongest banjo option but the cost adds up.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Blacky wrote: Sat Feb 08, 2025 7:50 pm A 9" is overkill unless you are planning on a 400+hp donk and sticky tyres

Agree. The wagon runs a shortened BW78, with 400hp at the crank. It lives on abuse. It snapped the original 28-spline axles, but I cannot kill the replacement 31-spline units.

Cheers,
Harv

My two cents I've shortened two Commodore diffs now one for my FC Sedan and one for my EK Ute they are a good diff, have good rear disc brakes and can get LSD however because they are fairly easy to shorten they are becoming dearer.
If you were to go this way you make sure that you have the rims you are going to use and shorten the diff to the rims.

Neil's 2 cents

FireKraka wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2025 2:18 pm make sure that you have the rims you are going to use and shorten the diff to the rims.

These are very, very wise words. I wish I had known them when I started playing with cars.

Cheers,
Harv

Cheers for the input all , I pulled the diff out today we slapped it in to get it home from the panel shop. Pulled the centre and axles intending to to clean up reseal extra.

It has a 3.08 centre and the teeth don't look the best. The final set up will be a triple webber red with celica 5 speed I'm thinking this ratio may be a bit to tall.

I'd value some recommendations on a ratio suggestion the car will see some hiway kms but not excessive. Would still love some get up and boogie but also reasonably drivable both round town and hiway ???

Did up the Hr front calipers yesterday , don't those piston boots bring out some colourful language .

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i had mild 202 with 5 speed had 3.36 and was fine on the highway i toyed with trying a 3.55 but never did i rekon still would have been fine i did put a 3.08 when we went to red center nats and was also great

Boots are a $*#@ bastard alright.

3.08:1 would be good with the overdrive at 100. Depends how tall your rear tyres and how much toe off the line you want. With Webers makes me think you want to rev it, rather than hit the highway, and not worried about fuel economy. A nice compromise would be 3.36:1.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

An old trick with piston boots, and many rubber sleeves that need to be fitted to wiring etc. Turn them inside out, then roll them on like a condom.

Forgive the imagery , but it works.

Cheers,
Harv

I would be looking for a 3.36:1 to allow you to enjoy some low down hoonery and still have a good top end with the overdrive gearbox

1:3.36 diff on my 186 powered ute with Celica 5 speed. 2550rpm in 4th at 100km/h and 2150rpm or so in 5th. Plenty skippy in first, 2nd and 3rd. Happily sits in 5th on most hills too. 13inch wheels with 185.R80.

Wasn't so happy in first gear with 4speed M20, but pretty sure it was a fancy M20 with low ratio first.

Brett027 wrote: Mon Feb 24, 2025 10:37 am 1:3.36 diff on my 186 powered ute with Celica 5 speed. 2550rpm in 4th at 100km/h and 2150rpm or so in 5th. Plenty skippy in first, 2nd and 3rd. Happily sits in 5th on most hills too. 13inch wheels with 185.R80.

Wasn't so happy in first gear with 4speed M20, but pretty sure it was a fancy M20 with low ratio first.

If that gearbox had a super tall first gear it was most likely an M21 - could be worth lots of money to a Torana restorer.

Low ratio, or close ratio? I was thinking M22, 173 one tonner box. Ok with a 2.78:1 maybe.


FB ute fixer upper, EK van on rotisserie

Yeah,

3.36 with 13 inch wheels, if you have bigger, say 15 inch then 3.55 with a 5 speed is a good allrounder.

Greg