Fully locked diffs in RWD front engined live axled cars.

[Casper]

Can I resurrect this thread for a moment to ask a couple of Q's. I cannot see how over a racing season a locked diff can be much cheaper than a diff of limited slip. If you do not unload the rear inner then you have no recourse other than wheelspin it off the corners and surely with the cost of tyres and all the shortcoming of setting a car up in this manner it in the end is at best no cheaper. It also compromises the way in which the car can be driven making it harder to drive, especially for a novice. I guess if you only did a very limited number of races it may be economical but not over the long term. Is this a valid argument?

[Al Weyman]

Yes if you have 450 foot lbs of torque and the rules state you have to run with the original axle case and there is no real suitable LSD available for it. I already have the GM LSD and its not man enough IMHO. There is an aftyermarket one available but doubt it much better.

[bdwoody]

the tyre thing is a factor with a spool diff.......it eats tyres at an alarming rate and at £250 a pop it aint cheap to run say...a au falcon in dmn thats for sure.1 meeting 2 tyres and a whole lotta gas.

[Moosehead]

Al, can you not get a Detroit Locker for your axle? I'ts the best of both worlds for 'our' cars.

[Al Weyman]

No not legal.

[Moosehead]

Why not, just checked your regs and I can't see anything against it

[Al Weyman]

Pre 93's regs say I have to use the original axle case unmodified which is a rear loader the Ford unit is a front loader and won't fit. I wonder if a locked diff would have saved me from the wall in the other car at Silverstone the cost of repairing that would buy an awful lot of tyres?

[Moosehead]

Al, I'm not saying run a Ford unit. You can get a Detroit Locker to fit into your current diff

http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...115+4294908198

[Al Weyman]

They either fit the earlier axle or the later one unfortunately.

[Moosehead]

Tut, damn Chevy's..............weird

[Al Weyman]

I will research it a bit as the later one may well be externally identical as I think all the suspension is the same. I am trying to get it ready for the Brands show next weekend but wont be able to make the Saturday now as I spent all afternoon trying to get the gearbox in and its still not there, its all getting a bit tough on your own post 60 especially as I have a touch of flu.

[Moosehead]

If I lived nearer I'd come and give you a hand in exchange for a cuppa tea. Trying to persuade the missus that we need to head south for weekend as its my birthday next w/e (yes you can all send me some nice pressies ) and then we can pop into Brands but she's not buying it at the mo'.

[Al Weyman]

that would have been nice Wayne. If I get it out I will be putting a seat in it for rides around the track.

[retro_msport]

Al, when I used to boxes on my own, I had a set of 4 stainless steel rods that had the thread base dia the same as the bar dia (M12 thread, 10mm bar), screwed into the block and bellhousing, the box slides along these and locates the front while i pushed the tailshaft... once home they unscrewed and the bolts went in, made life so much easier.

[Al Weyman]

I have a transmission jack and it usually slots in OK I think the dual plate clutch must be slightly misaligned, I will pull it out again and check it. If it doesnt go in easy there is the danger of crushing the needle roler spigit bearing.

[R59]

Al, which crate are you wanting to put the diff in, the ancient tub, or the black beasty?

Didn't they fit a Torsen (Torque Biassing) diff in the Camaro?

I use a Tru-Trac in the Ford(Strange) 9" with the Belmont. Works nice.

The only issue with a Detroit Locker is that when you go on power, it's locked like a spool, when you come off the gas, it unlocks, and the car may well pitch, which can make for "interesting" corner entries!!

On the big ovals, we keep the power pretty well on, and moderate speed with left foot braking, so the ruddy thing doesn't unlock and pitch the car into the wall!

Though saying that, it was OK around Cadwell Park.....

[R59]

You want one of these...

http://www.powertrax.com/powertrax/noslip.html

Get your credit card out then....

[Al Weyman]

Well primarily I was talking about the later model car but after my yellow car has developed a mind of its own and turned into the pitwall hard on a very greasy Silverstone on the parade lap I am thinking I may have trouble there as well! £/$ rate and general run down in business is going to dictate everything goes on hold now, just want to concerntrate on repairing the panel damage and building another engine.

[Al Weyman]

Got that damned box in tonight at last, must be loosing me touch!