Transmissions and DrivetrainNeed help with your trans? Problems with your axle?
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Which do you prefer: Auburn or HD Zexel-Torsen differential? I'm gonna be adding Richmond 3.73s also. I heard both units are good although I honestly haven't heard of Torsen till now. Thanks.
I've had the Zexel-Torsen in my Camaro with Richmond 3.73s for 3 months now. So far no complaints. It locks both wheels when I launch and it doesn't have clutch packs to wear out like the Auburns do. Plus it was only $99 from SLP, while the Auburns are over $300. Auburns however do have an excellent reputation. I simply chose the Zexel-Torsen because of the price difference.
I just bought a rear that has the Auburn Pro and Moser 3.73 gears. That dif looks real beefy and I can't wait to put it in. I have heard real good things about the Auburn expecially the Pro series.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by lars92RS: No the Zexel HD does not have Clutch packs.</font>
So what is the difference between the HD Torsen and the standard take-off Torsen that SLP sells?
The Torsen web page http://www.torsen.com/oem.htm shows a GM 7.6" HD aftermarket unit. Is that the one SLP sells as the HD? Then what is the Torsen T-2R (Racemaster) http://www.torsen.com/products/T-2R.htm ? It has clutches as well as the Equvex gears and appears to be the ideal unit for autocross. Where would that one be available, and how much?
What are the advantages of having no clutches? Is it better this way? I still want to a daily driver and I think I'm confusing myself with the HD Zexel being similar to a Detriot locker. Please educate me. Thanks.
The regular Torsen has no clutches to wear out. All the torque biasing is doneby the Equvex gears. The unit sends more torque to the wheel with more traction as a percentage of the torque going to the wheel with less traction. However, if one wheel completely loses traction, then it acts like an open diff, since even 1000% of zero is still zero. Theoretically this could happen if you applied power in a hard, sharp turn, but you normally only see small FWD cars pick up the inside back wheel. The T-2R Torsen, with its clutches, will keep power to one wheel even when the other one completely lifts or breaks loose.
I think I get it. So this thing would be "good enough" right? For me anyway, I just drive normal most of the time. Might go to the strip some this summer. I don't plan on making anymore power than 230hp when I'm done with this car. I just want more traction in slippery situations.
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Keith5: PART NUMBER: 64501T
DESCRIPTION: Differential, O.E.M. Zexel-Torsen Camaro/Firebird
So this one isn't true posi? And it isn't a locker? Would it help in mud, and snow? What about drag lanches? </font>
"Positraction" is the GM name for their limited slip differentials. There is more than one type, but most of them work using clutches to partially lock up the axle and get traction to the wheel that's not spinning. Under light load the clutches slip easily when turning. The Eaton unit I had before didn't have the clutches dragging under light load, but engaged them when there was a certain RPM difference between the rear wheels when one started to spin. Otherwise you couldn't easily tell it was a posi when the car was jacked up. The 64501T Torsen does not have any slipping clutches, but will sense when one wheel wants to spin and biases the torque to the other wheel with traction. In this sense it is a much less crude design than the others and would be the only "true posi". You would have to go to the Torsen web page to try and figure out exactly how and why it works. Basically it has to do with how worm gears work in that they transmit torque in one direction, but lock up in the other. This particular unit uses special spiral gears, not worm gears and utilizes the different coefficients of friction between the gears themselves and the sun gears and the case. Apparently the only time it can't transmit torque to the wheel with traction is when the other wheel is spinning free up in the air, or close to it. It will certainly work for drag launches.
