Open Vs. Limited Slip (Posi) Vs. Spool Vs. Locker
05-11-2007, 12:41 PM
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Open Vs. Limited Slip (Posi) Vs. Spool Vs. Locker When driving, both wheels turn at the same speed. When turning, the outside wheel must travel faster then the inside wheel to compensate for the longer distance it has to travel. Allowing the outside wheel to turn faster than the inside wheel is accomplished through the differential.
Open Differential (Standard)
An open differential applies the same amount of torque to each wheel. The problem is that the maximum amount of torque that can be applied to the wheels is limited by the slipping wheel.
For example on ice, the one wheel will spin very easily, thus the differential limits the amount of torque applied to the spinning wheel. And since it can only apply the same amount of torque to each wheel, then wheel that was not spinning is only given a small amount of torque as well. This obviously hurts acceleration once one wheel starts to spin.
A Open differential works fine for most vehicles as most cars do not spin their tires often.
Limited Slip (Posi)
Positraction and Limited Slip are the same thing!
Posi is just the name GM gave to their limited slip
A Limited Slip fixes the problem of the Open differential. The limited slip give equal torque to both wheels while driving straight. The limited slip also allows the outside wheel to turn faster than the inner wheel around corners.
Where the limited slip is better than the open when slipping occurs. The limited slip uses clutches (in most circumstances) to try to limit the one wheel from trying to turn faster. Therefore around corners the outside wheel must fight the clutch to turn faster, but it does still allow it to turn faster.
When one wheel does start to slip the other wheel still gets the torque it needs to accelerate. The Limited slip helps keep the same amount of torque applied to each wheel. Since the one wheel still can slip if it overpowers the clutch, it is called Limited Slip.
This is what most of our cars have and it is very good for both street and track use.
Spool
A spool is not technically a differential since it doesn't not differentiate power between the rear wheels. This is the only "differential" which does not allow the outside wheel to spin faster around corners.
In a spool both axles are locked together at all times. Each wheel gets the same power no matter what. There is no slipping.
This is the best choice for a drag only car. This is not recommended for the street as it will wear out tires quickly. It can also be very dangerous in the rain.
Locker
A locker is a good choice for the drag car that does still see some limited street time. While a spool does not let the outside wheel turn faster around corners, the Locker does. The locker works just like a spool and has all the benefits of a spool except it can unlock the axles to let the car go around corners better.
They are often noisy though and they are still not much better then a spool when it comes to street use.
Open Differential (Standard)
An open differential applies the same amount of torque to each wheel. The problem is that the maximum amount of torque that can be applied to the wheels is limited by the slipping wheel.
For example on ice, the one wheel will spin very easily, thus the differential limits the amount of torque applied to the spinning wheel. And since it can only apply the same amount of torque to each wheel, then wheel that was not spinning is only given a small amount of torque as well. This obviously hurts acceleration once one wheel starts to spin.
A Open differential works fine for most vehicles as most cars do not spin their tires often.
Limited Slip (Posi)
Positraction and Limited Slip are the same thing!
Posi is just the name GM gave to their limited slip
A Limited Slip fixes the problem of the Open differential. The limited slip give equal torque to both wheels while driving straight. The limited slip also allows the outside wheel to turn faster than the inner wheel around corners.
Where the limited slip is better than the open when slipping occurs. The limited slip uses clutches (in most circumstances) to try to limit the one wheel from trying to turn faster. Therefore around corners the outside wheel must fight the clutch to turn faster, but it does still allow it to turn faster.
When one wheel does start to slip the other wheel still gets the torque it needs to accelerate. The Limited slip helps keep the same amount of torque applied to each wheel. Since the one wheel still can slip if it overpowers the clutch, it is called Limited Slip.
This is what most of our cars have and it is very good for both street and track use.
Spool
A spool is not technically a differential since it doesn't not differentiate power between the rear wheels. This is the only "differential" which does not allow the outside wheel to spin faster around corners.
In a spool both axles are locked together at all times. Each wheel gets the same power no matter what. There is no slipping.
This is the best choice for a drag only car. This is not recommended for the street as it will wear out tires quickly. It can also be very dangerous in the rain.
Locker
A locker is a good choice for the drag car that does still see some limited street time. While a spool does not let the outside wheel turn faster around corners, the Locker does. The locker works just like a spool and has all the benefits of a spool except it can unlock the axles to let the car go around corners better.
They are often noisy though and they are still not much better then a spool when it comes to street use.
