8" traction....what's out there?

[jim_howard_pdx]

For 660 bucks I built a 9" for my 66. I bought a 79 Granada rear end housing and 28 spline axles from a guy in Indiana (eBay), a 3.25 posi third member from New Jersey, and bought a billet steel trac-loc top cap, bearings, and posi clutches from Currie. They sent me the shims so I could delete the posi springs, preset the clutch pack drag at 140-160 lbs which makes it a TSD. When I do a burnout, first the right tire spins, then as the spider gears climb out toward the side gears it compresses the clutch pack and now my left tire begins spinning. As soon as I let out of the gas, the spider gears ease off the side gears and my left tire goes back to normal. This is what allows a TSD to provide lock under torque and allows normal differential use when cornering.

CAUTION. When cornering in the rain remember that both wheels will lock under throttle. My son was turning on to an interstate onramp, got on the gas, and did some narly squirming. You have to drive a TSD exactly as you would a Detroit Locker in the rain. If you don't know what I mean, then you have not lived an exciting life!

WORD TO THE WISE!

The best street traction device is a Currie TSD, or Auburn Cone Posi unit.

The worst street traction device is a spool which allows no differential, or a standard spring posi or ratchet style posi (Detroit Locker and PosiTrax).

The ONLY reliable traction device at a drag strip is a spool, or a good mini spool. Anything else is second rate. I had a buddy who totaled his world record Maverick when his detroit locker failed and threw the car into the guard rail. After it flipped a couple of times he and I came to the conclusion that massive torque means it is time for a SPOOL.

And that is all I have to say about that......