Diff conversion from GKN to BTR

[ginganinga]

Has anyone gone down this route? If so how did it go, where did you get it done and how much did it end up costing?

Apparently some Tuscan owners have had it done...

[ginganinga]

I've spoken with Tower View, Bernie and David Batty and none of them have performed the BTR for GKN switch...so can't (obviously) tell me exactly what needs to be done and more importantly give me an idea of cost. Not sure I like the money vanishing into an unknown scenario.

Maybe I could get a discount while they "practice" the upgrade on my car. Kind of a drug trail thing?!?

[markh]

I asked the same question a few months back and no one seemed th know, still would be keen

[Guillotine]

would be expensive. the chassis needs to be welded for correct fittings and i believe the offset is also different.

welding means lifting the rear body tub a fair amount so as not to ignite GRP and FUEL


sounds 'kin expensive to me, + the price of the diff! i looked into a hydratrack last year...guess it'd be the same.

still running GKN!

[shpub]

ginganinga said:

Has anyone gone down this route? If so how did it go, where did you get it done and how much did it end up costing? Apparently some Tuscan owners have had it done...

I doubt it as Tuscans were either fitted with BTR or Hydratrak in the first place.

The first issue is that the chassis (IIRC) is slightly different to take the mounts and that the drive shafts may also be different. Nothing that can't be overcome for an appropriate wad but it makes repairing a GKN a lot more economic.

>> Edited by Big Al. on Thursday 24th June 09:16

[Trefor]

I know Steve Howard has done this for a customer a while back (just before my Chimaera's diff needed doing). I don't recall it costing the earth.

[ginganinga]

shpub said:

I doubt it as Tuscans were either fitted with BTR or Hydratrak in the first place.

I think it's the old race Tuscans that Bernie was talking about rather than the current ones though...

[ginganinga]

Trefor said:

I know Steve Howard has done this for a customer a while back (just before my Chimaera's diff needed doing). I don't recall it costing the earth.

Pardon my ignorance, but who's Steve Howard?

[ginganinga]

Sorry, should have searched first, he's...

Thames Valley Racetech
Reades Lane
Sonning Common
Berkshire
RG4 9LL
T: 0118 972 3153

[ginganinga]

They have done one and are willing to do another one, which is nice. Upgrade to the BTR one is actually coming out cheaper than reconditionning the GKN one, get in.

Rough costs are £315 labour (7 hours worst case scenario) +VAT
Approx £450 for the diff (I presume it's a reconditionned one) +VAT and shipping
Around £160 for sundries (brackets, bushes, bolts, etc) + VAT

So hopefully sorted for less then £1200, which is nice

[trefor]

ginganinga said:

Sorry, should have searched first, he's... Thames Valley Racetech Reades Lane Sonning Common Berkshire RG4 9LL T: 0118 972 3153

Not quite - although these guys can also help and it was here that I heard of the conversion for another PHer. Steve left T-V-R to set up on his own again, Thames Racing Services or a name very similar to that. He is also known as Insane Racing the Tuscan racing team.

[ginganinga]

Oh right, well there we go then! They were very helpful though and the estimate above is from them not his new company. Darn this is all sooo confusing.