Whats the difference between locker and Spool?
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From: Louisville, Ky
Whats the difference between locker and Spool? Anyone have pics of either one? I know a spool basically connects both axles so they spin together and a posi. lets the axles spin independently for corners but what is a locker? Is it a combination of the two? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
I am thinking about doing a spool because I will have roughly 550rwhp/600rwtq with my cam and a TNT 150 shot.
Will 4.10's hook with that combo? What size slick will I need to cross the traps in fourth at what rpm? Thanks- Mike.
I am thinking about doing a spool because I will have roughly 550rwhp/600rwtq with my cam and a TNT 150 shot.
Will 4.10's hook with that combo? What size slick will I need to cross the traps in fourth at what rpm? Thanks- Mike.
A spool is just like you said, just a coupler between to axles. A posi/ limited slip usually consits of cones/clutches and springs to apply pressure and keep the wheels spinning at or near the same speed. A locker has gear teeth that mesh with a center driver in the case. One gear is attached to the center while turning, which allows the wheels to turn at different speeds. While going straight both are attached to the center and it acts like a spool.
http://www.tractech.com/Products.htm#locking
http://www.tractech.com/Products.htm#locking
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by BriancWS6
You DON'T want a spool if your driving on the highway any at all. Straight line only.
Here we go again, giving advice when we have no personal experience. I drive my spool around every day and I hardly know its there. You dont even know you have it if your turning less then half your turning radius. On sharp hard turns you can tell because the tires give.
If you plan on making big power a 9" with a spool is the way to go. Lockers lock and unlock and unpredictable at times which is alot more dangerous in my opinion. The spool is 100 times more safe at WOT then the POSI because your rear end does crazy sideways.
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Here we go again, giving advice when we have no personal experience.
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Well the way I see it, your driving a race car. If your making big power there are some things you have to give up. If you like to complain and want a smooth quiet ride, then maybe you should buy a honda.
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Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Well the way I see it, your driving a race car. If your making big power there are some things you have to give up. If you like to complain and want a smooth quiet ride, then maybe you should buy a honda.
There are better ways to have a driveable car with a strong diff than a mini spool. They are harder on axles, tires, and the whole driveline, not to mention less safe. If it were a true "drag only" race car, then a spool is the right choice. For street/strip a spool is the wrong direction.
Originally Posted by mzoomora
There are better ways to have a driveable car with a strong diff than a mini spool. They are harder on axles, tires, and the whole driveline, not to mention less safe. If it were a true "drag only" race car, then a spool is the right choice. For street/strip a spool is the wrong direction.
My thoughts exactly. 
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Well the way I see it, your driving a race car.
Um. Don't tags make it a street car? Race cars are not typically street legal, hence being race cars. You can race a street car, but you really can't drive a race car (on the street, if you do, it becomes a street car....that gets raced). Track only, dedicated drag car...use a full spool (mini spools tend to explode) or a locker. Street use, stick to a locker.
My thoughts.
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by trackbird
Um. Don't tags make it a street car? Race cars are not typically street legal, hence being race cars. You can race a street car, but you really can't drive a race car (on the street, if you do, it becomes a street car....that gets raced). Track only, dedicated drag car...use a full spool (mini spools tend to explode) or a locker. Street use, stick to a locker.
My thoughts.
My thoughts.
Haha...lets take a poll. How many cars on this board, that have inspection tags, are street legal.
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
Haha...lets take a poll. How many cars on this board, that have inspection tags, are street legal.
a locker will release at a point , spools never will unless it breaks which is extremly rare
i street my locker every day, in parking lots people sure give you soem funny looks
the ratchiting sound confuses people who dont know but at the track stays locked
i street my locker every day, in parking lots people sure give you soem funny looks
the ratchiting sound confuses people who dont know but at the track stays locked 
How about a trutrac?Same deal as a torsen only on a 9" scale,should be a good compromise without the clutch pack issues of a posi or the scitzo behavior of a locker.
Last edited by z-ya; Oct 22, 2004 at 01:04 AM. Reason: spelling
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by badpewter-z
a locker will release at a point , spools never will unless it breaks which is extremly rare
i street my locker every day, in parking lots people sure give you soem funny looks the ratchiting sound confuses people who dont know but at the track stays locked
i street my locker every day, in parking lots people sure give you soem funny looks
the ratchiting sound confuses people who dont know but at the track stays locked
Originally Posted by 2MuchRiceMakesMeSick
I know what you mean, I street mine every day and get the same look from the chirping. I dont care though...%#*# em
I have a Tractech 31 spline soft locker and it's great at the track. It's fine on the highway but I have to make sure the car is straight before I wack it or it can get a little crooked... But I have my front swaybar off and I am on skinnies...
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From: Texas
Originally Posted by PairOJugs
my last camaro, a family project '67, backhalfed, tubbed, and with a spooled 9", broke a 33 spline moser axle with less than 3k street/track miles on it, and we had less than 600hp out of a 383. i don't think that's acceptable for a street car. 
switched to a detroit locker and it lived at least a year after we sold it, that we know of.
switched to a detroit locker and it lived at least a year after we sold it, that we know of.
I know, thats why I got 35 spline but alot of my freinds street theirs every day with only 31 splines in their spool. Must have been a finishing problem with your axles.
