I have a 68 Camaro that I have been having some differential problems with. I broke the case on my traction lock (I have a 9 inch). I now have an Auburn pro series posi which worked great for a while, but it isn't working so well anymore. I was looking into getting a detroit locker. The car has a 500hp small block, and a tremec 5 speed. The car has a lot of suspension work, and is set up for handling. I take it to the dragstrip once in a while, but I am on the street mostly. I also like to abuse the rear tires quite a bit. Will a detroit locker lock up in a corner when power is applied? A little noise doesn't bother me, as long as the car handles well. I have heard mixed opinions on lockers, so i'd like to hear from some of you guys who have tried them.
A locker is a drag racing diff. I'd say for you, you're better off with another Auburn so you get that little added slip through the corners. Or you can see if the Auburn can be rebuilt (probably a lot cheaper).
Hey, wanna trade that tremec for a richmond? haha..
A buddy of mine has a pro street 69 Camaro with a high HP smallblock and a Doug Nash 5 speed. He has a Detroit locker in the Ford 9" in the rear. When I heard it was a Detroit locker I got all over him for driving it on the street, thinking it was for drag only. A detroit locker is not like a spool. He proved to me that it is perfectly streetable.
If I'm not mistaken, the BOSS Mustangs came from the factory with Detroit Lockers in 9" Ford rear ends.
I had a locker in a built 9" Ford behind a ZZZ crate motor and B&M 350th transmission in a previous '55 210 sedan. It made a little noise when going around corners, kind of a ratcheting noise. It was a little annoying when I first got it, but I got used to it.
I use a detroit truetrac differential. It is made by the same people as the detroit locker (obviously). It works like a zexel-torsen if you've ever heard of it. The case is really strong, and it seems to be well made. It works like and open differential most of the time, but the power you put to it, the harder the axles are locked together. It works really well, doesn't get to squirrelly on wet pavement. It makes a little noise when pulling forward after backing up, but isn't bad. You might want to look into one. I got mine from Randy's Ring and Pinion. They were great to deal with.
The locker is totally streetable, but it doesn't "slip" like the Auburns or posi's that work off of clutches. The reason I say to not use one is because you want it for cornering where the slip will help you out. If you apply too much power to the locker, it will lock both axles through the corner and not let one tire spin faster than the other and may effect your cornering. The locker is a great set up, but for street/strip use, not road race. I have one for my Pro Street Nova as well!
There you have it, torque biasing is best for road race apps. I doubt I'll ever road race my truck, but who knows! I'm only 23 and strange things do happen!
Seems to me that a sudden locking while accelerating out of a corner might cause some unexpected oversteer. This is just a guess, however.
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