Options beyond the limited slip...

[The Yeti]

I lost my limited slip after the pinion bearing failed and took it and the carrier out and am running just an open differential right now. I didn't think it would really annoy me but I loose the rear fairly easy now under hard acceleration.
Should I just find another carrier with the limited slip to put back in or has anyone had any luck with more of a "locker" setup?

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

LSd's are a dime a dozen at the salvage yard. You just have to know where to lOok.

 

[sy2675]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

i have all the stock guts that i removed when i put my new rear together. You can have them for shipping cost of the parts you need.

 

[qbnkiller]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

I am running a full locker....

 

[jpalmer]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

Either spend the money like Alex has and do it right, or get the practically free stuff 2 posts up. but a real locker is the right way, and dont cheap out, some of the cheaper ones are noisy.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

You've got lots of choices, depending upon budget and intended usage.

The factory Gov Lock is an interesting piece of hardware. Some swear by it, others swear at it, some make it go boom. I personally find it annoying because you have to have a difference in axle shaft speeds for it to lock up, and the lockup feature disables itself above 25mph once you let off power. It's a choice, and probably the least expensive.

There are a number of clutch type limited slips available. The Auburn (as was used in '93 to '96 LT1 Camaros) uses cone clutches, but there are also plate type clutches available. The aftermarket has many choices. These work well in many applications, but clutches wear out.

There are the gear type limited slips (Zexel Torsen / Detroit TrueTrac). These don't have clutches to wear, and do a great job of spreading the torque to the tire with the most grip, but don't work so well when 1 tire is off the ground or on a surface with absolutely no resistance (glare ice for example). These were available from the factory in LS1 Camaros. An HD version was used in the SS camaros (had a higher torque bias, among other things). The TrueTrac is similar in function.

Lockers and spools are also available. Personally, I think spools only belong in dedicated race only vehicles. But, your opinion may differ. Lockers are fine for off road trucks, and do a decent job in other places, as long as the ratcheting action doesn't bother you.

Ultimately, they all have their place. You need to decide what your usage needs and budget will allow.


Oh, and if you start making big power, you might think about upgrading the whole axle (maybe a 8.5" 10 bolt / a 12 bolt / 9" etc), or at least installing some form of axle retaining device. It isn't good to be passed by one of your rear axles while making a pass (there's a pic of Ed Hess in that exact situation). C-Clip eliminators or a disc brake conversion that captures the axle (vs drums which won't) are both things to consider.

'JustDreamin'

 

[s_blazin]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

You've got lots of choices, depending upon budget and intended usage.

The factory Gov Lock is an interesting piece of hardware. Some swear by it, others swear at it, some make it go boom. I personally find it annoying because you have to have a difference in axle shaft speeds for it to lock up, and the lockup feature disables itself above 25mph once you let off power. It's a choice, and probably the least expensive.

There are a number of clutch type limited slips available. The Auburn (as was used in '93 to '96 LT1 Camaros) uses cone clutches, but there are also plate type clutches available. The aftermarket has many choices. These work well in many applications, but clutches wear out.

There are the gear type limited slips (Zexel Torsen / Detroit TrueTrac). These don't have clutches to wear, and do a great job of spreading the torque to the tire with the most grip, but don't work so well when 1 tire is off the ground or on a surface with absolutely no resistance (glare ice for example). These were available from the factory in LS1 Camaros. An HD version was used in the SS camaros (had a higher torque bias, among other things). The TrueTrac is similar in function.

Lockers and spools are also available. Personally, I think spools only belong in dedicated race only vehicles. But, your opinion may differ. Lockers are fine for off road trucks, and do a decent job in other places, as long as the ratcheting action doesn't bother you.

Ultimately, they all have their place. You need to decide what your usage needs and budget will allow.


Oh, and if you start making big power, you might think about upgrading the whole axle (maybe a 8.5" 10 bolt / a 12 bolt / 9" etc), or at least installing some form of axle retaining device. It isn't good to be passed by one of your rear axles while making a pass (there's a pic of Ed Hess in that exact situation). C-Clip eliminators or a disc brake conversion that captures the axle (vs drums which won't) are both things to consider.

'JustDreamin'

great info, you are absolutely correct!
personally i think that any street car with small to fair amount of power is fine with the govern lock, obviously the post'er has already seen enough power or mileage to destroy it, i think if he is intent on a 50/50 street car, a limited slip clutch style posi-trac should suffice just fine.

like previously stated lockers are fine for off-road trucks, and spools are fine for track-only cars, and thats pretty much it with those. They have their intended purposes and are mostly suited for those purposes.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

great info, you are absolutely correct!

Thanks for the kind words.

personally i think that any street car with small to fair amount of power is fine with the govern lock.

It has it's place. I think it will keep some inexperienced drivers out of trouble a bit more than some of the other limited slip devices.

I had one in my '88 suburban and hated it. Not sure it if was just worn out (over 100k) and couldn't lock up because of power (the 400 SBC in the truck was not a rocket, but certainly had a bunch more steam than the stock 350 that it replaced), because it would blaze the right rear while accelerating. And the one in my '99 Bravada always seems to be doing something weird (doesn't help that I'm running in 2wd with a V8).

Again, I just don't care for them, but maybe it's just a feel thing for me. But everyone is entitled to their opinion, and it certainly is a better choice than an open diff.

'JustDreamin'

 

[The Yeti]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

Good deal. I was actually looking at the Detroit True Track as an upgrade and it really is not too expensive. I don't want a full "locker" setup as this is my daily and they get annoying.

Good info so far, thanks guys.

 

[qbnkiller]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

The Detroit C-Locker I have is really not bad at all. You cant hear it ratcheting at all because you're always too busy with your foot in it!

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

Anyone tried one of the electric lockers?

Eaton ELocker

I'm pretty sure GM still sells the Torsen diff that everyone use to buy from SLP. IIRC, it's around $530 from GM Parts Direct
edit: here's some part numbers for the T-2 from www.torsen.com

GM SPO Part No. =12471371 High Numeric
GM SPO Part No. =12471372 Low Numeric

and the T-2R

GM 7.6 Torsen T- 2R (28 Spline) High Bias Differential:Torsen P/N 975420-0315D

 

[thesyguy]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

You've got lots of choices, depending upon budget and intended usage.

The factory Gov Lock is an interesting piece of hardware. Some swear by it, others swear at it, some make it go boom. I personally find it annoying because you have to have a difference in axle shaft speeds for it to lock up, and the lockup feature disables itself above 25mph once you let off power. It's a choice, and probably the least expensive.

There are a number of clutch type limited slips available. The Auburn (as was used in '93 to '96 LT1 Camaros) uses cone clutches, but there are also plate type clutches available. The aftermarket has many choices. These work well in many applications, but clutches wear out.

There are the gear type limited slips (Zexel Torsen / Detroit TrueTrac). These don't have clutches to wear, and do a great job of spreading the torque to the tire with the most grip, but don't work so well when 1 tire is off the ground or on a surface with absolutely no resistance (glare ice for example). These were available from the factory in LS1 Camaros. An HD version was used in the SS camaros (had a higher torque bias, among other things). The TrueTrac is similar in function.

Lockers and spools are also available. Personally, I think spools only belong in dedicated race only vehicles. But, your opinion may differ. Lockers are fine for off road trucks, and do a decent job in other places, as long as the ratcheting action doesn't bother you.

Ultimately, they all have their place. You need to decide what your usage needs and budget will allow.


Oh, and if you start making big power, you might think about upgrading the whole axle (maybe a 8.5" 10 bolt / a 12 bolt / 9" etc), or at least installing some form of axle retaining device. It isn't good to be passed by one of your rear axles while making a pass (there's a pic of Ed Hess in that exact situation). C-Clip eliminators or a disc brake conversion that captures the axle (vs drums which won't) are both things to consider.

'JustDreamin'

I put in one of the Zexel torsen setups out of a 2002 SS Camaro about five years ago. I bought it from SLP performance for $99. Bolted right in and have had no issues.

 

[midnightbluS10]

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

I put in one of the Zexel torsen setups out of a 2002 SS Camaro about five years ago. I bought it from SLP performance for $99. Bolted right in and have had no issues.

That's about the time they quit selling them. Those are the ones I was referencing that are still available from GM.

 

['JustDreamin']

Re: Options beyond the limited slip...

Those were the "stock" Zexels that were available in pretty much any f-body at that time. SLP removed them to install the "HD" Zexels in the SS's / FireChickens. $100 for a take-out that has 5 miles on it was a pretty good deal, $530+ for a new one from GM, maybe not so much.

'JustDreamin'