Healey Sports Cars

mods & upgrades for Healey (Nash, Austin, or Jensen) cars, including engine swaps

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Shamrock
Scott Drewa
Wisconsin
(7 posts)

Registered:
06/23/2021 11:27PM

Main British Car:
1955 Austin Healey 100-4 V6 Turbo

Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: Shamrock
Date: June 26, 2021 04:22PM

I have the new frame and rear suspension installed now in trying to figure out if I should rebuild and use the factory rearend or go with a traditional 8.8 or 9 inch. Im interested in knowing if the factory rearend can handle the horse power increase of a small block?


kstevusa
kelly stevenson
Southern Middle Tennessee
(985 posts)

Registered:
10/25/2007 09:37AM

Main British Car:
2003 Jaguar XK8 Coupe 4.2L DOHC/ VVT / 6sp. AT

authors avatar
Re: Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: kstevusa
Date: June 26, 2021 05:42PM

Maybe mention the specific engine you have in mind. Small Block is a wide variety of engines? We could get a better idea of the durability you need. Personally, I have no idea on the Healey strength. Someone else wil chime in later with more info.


Shamrock
Scott Drewa
Wisconsin
(7 posts)

Registered:
06/23/2021 11:27PM

Main British Car:
1955 Austin Healey 100-4 V6 Turbo

Re: Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: Shamrock
Date: June 27, 2021 12:14AM

Ok..your right . I haven't figured out what type of small block yet, I have a V6 with a turbo sitting in my garage but I also have axis to a ford 289 hipo motor . I figure they both make just under 300 HP , so maybe I should just talk horse power figures.
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88v8
Ivor Duarte
Gloucestershire UK
(1049 posts)

Registered:
02/11/2010 04:29AM

Main British Car:
1974 Land Rover Lightweight V8

Re: Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: 88v8
Date: June 27, 2021 05:51AM

The 100-6 produced 140lb-ft.
The 3000 made about 170lb-ft.

The hipo would make around 300lb-ft.

The factory axle might survive behind an auto box if the wheels aren't too wide, the tyres aren't too sticky and the driver isn't lead footed, but unless you're making a resto rod I'd be inclined to sell the factory axle and go with a 9 inch.

Ivor


Shamrock
Scott Drewa
Wisconsin
(7 posts)

Registered:
06/23/2021 11:27PM

Main British Car:
1955 Austin Healey 100-4 V6 Turbo

Re: Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: Shamrock
Date: June 29, 2021 10:05PM

I belive your correct. I think a 9 inch will be my next purchase


DiDueColpi
Fred Key
West coast - Canada
(1375 posts)

Registered:
05/14/2010 03:06AM

Main British Car:
I really thought that I'd be an action figure by now!

authors avatar
Re: Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: DiDueColpi
Date: June 29, 2021 10:55PM

Unless your Healey has a pickup box on it, a 9inch might not be your best choice.
It would definitely be unbreakable, but there are lots of live axles out there that will handle the power with out doubling unsprung weight.
Having to tame an excessively obese rear end in a light car is a bitch.
For me, something in the 8 inch range would more than accommodate the power and tire that you can fit into that Healey.

Live like you mean it.
Fred


roverman
Art Gertz
Winchester, CA.
(3188 posts)

Registered:
04/24/2009 11:02AM

Main British Car:
74' Jensen Healy, 79 Huff. GT 1, 74 MGB Lotus 907,2L

Re: Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: roverman
Date: June 30, 2021 05:04PM

8" Ford can swallow 31 spline axles, with matching carrier. Aluminum center section available.



HealeyRick
Rick Neville

(491 posts)

Registered:
12/19/2007 05:01PM

Main British Car:
1963 Austin-Healey 3000 Ford 5.0L

authors avatar
Re: Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: HealeyRick
Date: July 01, 2021 06:29AM

I think a lot will have to do with how you intend to use the car and what kind of wheels and tires you are going to run. I have a 345 hp SBF with a stock rear end. I also have 72-spoke wire wheels with 185-15 tires and seldomly do smoky burnouts. The tires are going to light up before the axles break. If you use wide sticky tires and do clutch dumps or drag racing starts you're going to break stuff. Otherwise, you'll be fine with the stock set up That rear end is pretty tough Racing Healeys in Europe regularly run stock rear ends and 300 hp.


Shamrock
Scott Drewa
Wisconsin
(7 posts)

Registered:
06/23/2021 11:27PM

Main British Car:
1955 Austin Healey 100-4 V6 Turbo

Re: Austin-Healey 100-6 rearend strength
Posted by: Shamrock
Date: July 05, 2021 09:27AM

This is why I come here for the info I need, it's great to have people around that have eather done it or know so much about these cars.. I'm getting the impression I'm being to vague about the motor I'm putting in but I have so many options I'm not sure yet.. Thanks HealeyRick.. I really like your post , you basically answered questions I haven't asked yet. I want to run wire wheels still and I feel I need to run a rearend with a carrier that opens from the front.


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