I have been searching around, looking at how the SOHC Sportages were different compared to the DOHC sportages. Someone in this forum said that the differentials on the SOHC Sportages were not nearly as strong compared to the DOHC Sportage differentials. Is this true?

well if you break a T/B on a SOHC your head is toast, some not many same for the DOHC but for the most part you break a T/B on a DOHC just set up the mark"s on cams and crank replace the belt and your ready to go. well more work then that, the differentials I don't know. I believe the spark plug change is a lot easier on a SOHC.

In 1998 KIA upgraded the rear axle shafts in the Sportage from 26 spline to 28 spline. This also required that they change the internal differential to accept the 28 spline instead of the 26 spline. They did not change anything else. You can actually take the diff from a 98 or newer Sportage along with the axles and put them into a pre 98 and it will fit and work just fine. Does this make the rear axle in 98 and newer Sportages stronger? Yes, but only because it uses 28 spline axle shafts. Does this mean that the pre 98 axles are weaker? Yes, but not by much.

The front in all Gen 1 Sportages uses 26 spline axles regardless of year.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Awesome guys, thank you for clearing that up for me.

Acording to my service manual the gear ratios are differant though. SOHC is 4.444 and the DOHC is 4.778 but the Manual Trans has a lower 1st and 2nd gear in the SOHC. 1st gear 4.171 SOHC, 3.717 DOHC, 2nd gear 2.176 SOHC, 2.019 DOHC. The service manual does indicate the the SOHC is 2wd only and the DOHC is 4wd but I know for a fact the they made a 4wd SOHC in 95, my brother had one so that kind of leaves me wondering if the gear ratios are the same regardless of 2 or 4wd.
In that case this post could be pointless <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />.

Dennis

I think that they might have kept the 4.44 ratio in. But that also means that the fron differential is 4.44... maybe it is 4.77? Agh, IDK...



I want to put a Ford 9" differential with 31 spline axle shafts. Is there anything out there to beef up the front differential, or do I have to replace the whole suspension?

SAS!

I don't think that an SAS would be good for sand and desert racing. would that be the only option if I wanted a strong front end drive train?

Portals would be another way to have a strong front end with lots of lift. It would look really bad and probably function just as bad, but it would be very strong.

SAS is the only way to beef up the front end. Makes for a rough ride in the sand at speed though.

Logansportage <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

I guess my last question would be if the front differential would last in a Baja or an equivalent race, if my engine that I'm building is cranking out around 180 hp with 32"-33" tires slapped on?

I have found a guy that is willing to build a long travel kit on my kia, and I'm going to put dual 2.5 coil-overs on each side. But I'm just worried about the front diff. blowing out when I need it most.