Gears & Axles Driveshafts | Rearends | Differentials | Gears | 12 Bolt | 9 Inch | Dana
View Poll Results: M6 and a Locker?
Lockers aren't that noticeable in a street/strip m6.
5
35.71%
Lockers suck for street/strip m6 cars, go with a spool.
9
64.29%
Voters: 14. You may not vote on this poll

M6 and a Locker?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 10, 2008 | 03:32 PM
  #1  
DTB_LS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, IL
Default M6 and a Locker?

How many m6 guys are running lockers in their street/strip cars? And how are they on the street (driveability/noise)? I'm trying to decide between a locker and a spool for my street/strip m6 car.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2008 | 03:42 PM
  #2  
WS6R6's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Kansas
Default

Im running a Detrioit in mine and it's not that bad. I've got about the same, a 9'' with 3.90's and yeah sometimes it's a little different but I would never change for any reason. 99% of the time you can't even tell but when you can it doesn't bother me at all and it's nothing to cry about IMO!!!

edit: Ran 99% street with only visits to the track!
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2008 | 04:54 PM
  #3  
jmm98LS1's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (28)
 
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 3,975
Likes: 3
From: KS
Default

Detroit locker here in a 9" w/4.56's. You better have a VERY loose interpretation of "streetable" to run a locker behind a manual tranny. I've also got a locker in my '85 (4spd), they both are pretty ornery on the street. I would advise riding in a car with a locker before buying one so you know what you're getting into. If you're going around a corner with the clutch in and the rear unlocks, you don't notice it at all.......but if you go around that corner in gear with the clutch engaged and it unlocks, be prepared to ride that bull! I'll personally do a spool next time.

Last edited by jmm98LS1; Sep 10, 2008 at 05:00 PM.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2008 | 05:19 PM
  #4  
LM97Z's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 0
From: S.W. Missouri
Default

Don't know how rough the lockers are on the street, i'm running a full spool & its not that bad, but you still have some blunk-blunk-blunk on sharp/simi sharp turns (low speeds) with the clutch in, so still be awhere of that, its going to happen, just don't put yourself in a tight situation.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2008 | 06:07 PM
  #5  
DTB_LS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, IL
Default

Thanks for the info guys. Is anyone running 31 spline axles with a spool. I have 31s now and really don't want to upgrade to 35s if I don't have to. I was told by strange that the 35s would not work with my smaller bearing case.
Reply
Old Sep 10, 2008 | 06:29 PM
  #6  
nd4spd22's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (6)
 
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 295
Likes: 0
From: Bradley IL
Default

People that say you cant run a locker in an m6 car or say that they are unreasonably loud apparantly dont know **** about them. My car runs fine on the street, every once in a while it will lock and shift the car over a little bit when I go around a corner but other than that it is fine. I have no complaints and my setup works great. Just dont drive like an ******* around corners and you will be fine. It was designed to go straight not for road racing.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2008 | 03:32 PM
  #7  
adam1803's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (65)
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,188
Likes: 0
From: OKC
Default

I just finished up my 9" install, i went with a locker in it and wish i hadn't. For a street car i'd go with a trutrac.
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2008 | 04:06 PM
  #8  
DAVESS02's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (30)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 690
Likes: 2
From: Springfield, IL
Default

Originally Posted by jmm98LS1
Detroit locker here in a 9" w/4.56's. You better have a VERY loose interpretation of "streetable" to run a locker behind a manual tranny. I've also got a locker in my '85 (4spd), they both are pretty ornery on the street. I would advise riding in a car with a locker before buying one so you know what you're getting into. If you're going around a corner with the clutch in and the rear unlocks, you don't notice it at all.......but if you go around that corner in gear with the clutch engaged and it unlocks, be prepared to ride that bull! I'll personally do a spool next time.
I'd second this except I'd do a locker again. Mine is a 35 spline with 3:70's. I'm also running a faceplated 1-4 trans so I'm real tolerant of harsh stuff on the street. My friends are "WTF was that" every time my locker pops. No way to know for sure if you're going to be ok with it unless you drive one.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 12, 2008 | 07:47 PM
  #9  
blown03mustang's Avatar
11 Second Club
 
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
From: Charleston, SC
Default

im running a detroit locker and its not that noticeable! ive heard some cons on spools in DD cars tho. just my .02
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2008 | 08:14 PM
  #10  
Tally TransAm's Avatar
TECH Junkie
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,406
Likes: 2
From: Tallahassee, Fl
Default

locker + 430's here. its noisy as **** but i wouldnt have it any other way. after a couple months youll learn to love it and even be able to make it hardly noticable. 6500 rpms clutch dumps on n2o and slicks, if something breaks at least i know its not the rear
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2008 | 04:57 AM
  #11  
ShevrolayZ28's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 1
From: Massachusetts
Default

Originally Posted by jmm98LS1
Detroit locker here in a 9" w/4.56's. You better have a VERY loose interpretation of "streetable" to run a locker behind a manual tranny. I've also got a locker in my '85 (4spd), they both are pretty ornery on the street. I would advise riding in a car with a locker before buying one so you know what you're getting into. If you're going around a corner with the clutch in and the rear unlocks, you don't notice it at all.......but if you go around that corner in gear with the clutch engaged and it unlocks, be prepared to ride that bull! I'll personally do a spool next time.
I agree with this guy, except I'd give strong consideration to using a tru-track or even a clutch posi over going to a spool.

It bothered me enough that I actually removed the 9" w/ locker and put the 10 bolt back in temporarily...

Once the A4 is in the car, I'll give the 9" w/locker another try.

I'd stick with the 31 spline. Once you go to 35 spline your choices are limted to spool or locker.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2008 | 06:01 AM
  #12  
EPP's Avatar
EPP
FormerVendor
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 13,063
Likes: 2
Default

It is a tough call these days on which was to go. As the horsepower that these engines produce continues to escalate, the Truetrac is not always the way to go. That leaves the locker and the spool, and personally for where I drive which is mostly rural and interstate, I would go with a spool. Bob
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2008 | 09:21 AM
  #13  
BriancWS6's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 1
From: The Garage
Default

I have a spool in my M9 and it's not even noticeable except for SHARP turns under 10 mph and tight parking spots. In these cases, you just need to GO, and not dick around by trying to go slow or slip the clutch as your making the sharp turn, cause if you do that, it will grab very hard and sounds and feels pretty harsh. Give it some throttle and it will go on around and will feel fine.

I'll admit that a spool is definately NOT for everyone, but when your making some decent power and know that more is to come, it's nice to know you have the setup that can handle whatever engine combo you throw at it.
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2008 | 06:39 PM
  #14  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

I ******* hated lockers, Id take a spool any day of the week, either way no wet driving and be prepared to be on the clutch exchange program
Reply
Old Sep 15, 2008 | 09:20 PM
  #15  
DTB_LS1's Avatar
Thread Starter
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 956
Likes: 0
From: Ottawa, IL
Default

Originally Posted by BlackScreaminMachine
I ******* hated lockers, Id take a spool any day of the week, either way no wet driving and be prepared to be on the clutch exchange program
Thanks for the info. What do you mean by be prepared for the clutch exchange program?
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2008 | 01:08 PM
  #16  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

Originally Posted by DTB_LS1
Thanks for the info. What do you mean by be prepared for the clutch exchange program?
Well with a spool, you ride the clutch more as you take turns and its still binding up the driveline. Riding clutches is prob the number one reason why people have dead clutches. This is done to avoid the tires from binding and powering through turns.

Tires travel the same distance but the tire on the inside is traveling at a short radius and that can be murder.

I am not a fan of either, for street use, locker is supposed to be a comprimise but its more track then street.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2008 | 01:33 PM
  #17  
98mysticZ's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 0
From: plano
Default

i would also like to know more on this.. i am about to get a 9in and i dont think the tru trak is gonna hold the power i will be going with.. and i really only drive it on the weekends and cruises.. then its all roll racing or the strip
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2008 | 09:03 PM
  #18  
BriancWS6's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (18)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,910
Likes: 1
From: The Garage
Default

Riding the clutch won't make things ANY smoother. Let that bitch out and give it some throttle and it will go on around some TIGHT turns without a problem.
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 04:03 PM
  #19  
03 BUSA's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (25)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,554
Likes: 1
From: Kannapolis, NC
Default

Originally Posted by BriancWS6
Riding the clutch won't make things ANY smoother. Let that bitch out and give it some throttle and it will go on around some TIGHT turns without a problem.


Thats right!
Reply
Old Sep 17, 2008 | 07:18 PM
  #20  
Jays00ss's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 430
Likes: 0
From: Colorado
Default

Locker here with M-6 and 9" with 4.30 gears. After the inital 50 mile break in it quieted down dramaticly and I barely notice it at all now. Sometimes you get the little "Locker real wheel shimmy" but after you get used to it its not bad at all.

I daily drive mine by the way.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:03 AM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 14:55:56


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-6
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-9
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE