GKK

I want to order this SLP unit but, I wanted to know if my 3.08 ring gear would fit or if I would have to change to a 3.23. I couldn't find an answer in the other posts regarding the SLP unit. Thanks

82camaro

Won't work. 3.08's are a 2 series gear and the torsen is 3 series.


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

GKK

would I have to get the Powertrax to use my 3.08 ring gear? If not what limited slip unit could I use with my 3.08 ring gear. Thanks

82camaro

If you want to keep your current gears, a powertrax is a 45 minute install(gears don't come out) and about 300 bucks. I can't say enough good things about powertrax. I got mine when they first came out. And no, it's not loud.


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

MichaelRBrumm

Zexel Torsen actually makes a 2-series differential. They just don't make a "heavy duty" 2-series differential. Even without being heavy duty, a Torsen differential is likely the most reliable type you can get. However, if you are going to drag, you would want to get the heavy duty model.

That said, I'm pretty sure that SLP only sells the 3-series Zexel Torsen differentials. You'll probably have to contact them:
http://www.torsen.com/
to find out where to get one.

Either that, or get a used one out of a 4th gen Firebird/Camaro with 2-series gears. Didn't they all come with Zexel Torsen's?

Powertrax is a good cheap solution, but maybe not the best for a street or daily driver.

GKK

MichaelRBrumm, why wouldn't the powertrax be good for an everyday driver? I want the easiest, most reliable and inexpensive way to get a limited slip diff. I want to keep my 3.08 ring gear for economy and also because I drive on the freeway a lot and don't want my engines rpm to be too high. I've heard a lot of good things about Powertrax being quiet and reliable on the street. Just wanted your opinion. Thanks

Kevin91Z

iTrader: (1)

Just get a set of 3.23 gears and that SLP posi unit. 3.23 over 3.08 isnt that big of a deal but you will feel and like the difference.

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1991 Camaro Z28
5.7L 5-Speed (originally 305)
317 RWHP, 418 RWTQ
13.23 @ 107.62 MPH
Southern California
Member: SoCal 3rd Gen F-Bodies
Member: SoCal F-Bodies
-=ICON Motorsports=-

GKK

O.K. I've made up my mind. I'm going to get the Powertrax Locker so I could keep my 3.08 ring gear. Sounds like the easiest way to get better traction without having to change my gear ratio, speedometer calibration and setting backlash. Thanks for all your help.

MichaelRBrumm

Powertrax locker isn't a "limted slip differential". It is a locker.

Lots of highway travel? Some people only install the locker just before a drag meet, and then remove it as soon as they get home. Does this tell you anything?

But the Powertrax locker is really inexpensive, so go ahead and try it.

GKK

From what I've read in other posts about Powertrax lockers, the Powertrax Locker drives just like a limited slip diff and does not lock up the axels like most people think. Powertrax LOCKER is a misleading name in this case. This is just what I've read from people that actually have it in their camaros.

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305 tbi, 5spd, Slp Y-pipe, Random tech Cat, Flowmaster crossflow, Ultimate tbi mods, Edelbrock open element with 3" K&N, Taylor Spiro Pro wires, Redline water wetter, 180* thermostat.

JoelOl75

From what I understand there's four different types of 2 wheel spinning action:

1. Spools, including the mini-spool
2. Limited slip using clutches wether they be cone or centrifugually applied.
3. Torque biasing, using worm gears to couple the two axles (torsen)
4. Lockers, using a ratcheting type device to lock both wheels and a 'break-away' when the diffence in force between the two axles exceeds a certain limit.

So whats the powertrax. It has to be a locker, whether it engages smooth or not I wouldn't know.

MichaelRBrumm

The term LOCKER is not misleading. The Powertrax locker is a LOCKER. In fact, both their "lock-right locker" and their "no-slip traction system" are locking differentials.

From the Powertrax website:
http://www.powertrax.com/

I'm not saying you shouldn't buy it. I'm just saying that it is NOT a limited slip differential, it is a locking differential. And as such, it will not be as smooth and quiet as limited slip diff.

Like JoelOl75 said, Zexel Torsen's T-2 differentials are torque biasing (they call it "parallel axis helical differential"). They use worm gears instead of clutches, so power is not lost in clutch slippage, and there are no clutches (or cone) to wear out.

Zexel has two Torsens for f-bodies:

T-2 (Type B)
- comes in 2-series and 3-series
- found in 4th gen Camaros and Firebirds

T-2R
- 3-series only
- for heavy duty applications (dragging)

82camaro

Powertrax just wants you to buy the 'no-slip' system. I'm guessing thats why the above quote is on the web site. The only time mine ever makes an audible noise is when I turn really short going slow. It's not the usual drag type Detroit Locker that are loud and very harsh. I've tried to record the sound using my video camera so I could post it, but you can never hear it on the tape. If you don't have a powertrax with the street/strip springs, please don't post on how you 'think' in sounds and works. I'll try another recording and post the results hopefully in the next few days.

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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

Matt87GTA

Which Powertrax differential do you have?

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1987 GTA L98 MD8
355, TFS Heads, LT4 Hot Cam
My GTA

The Minnesota F-body Club

GKK

Thanks 82camaro. A lot of people assume bad things about the Powertrax without ever having it on their own car. Thanks for your real world experiences with the Powertrax.

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305 tbi, 5spd, Slp Y-pipe, Random tech Cat, Flowmaster crossflow, Ultimate tbi mods, Edelbrock open element with 3" K&N, Taylor Spiro Pro wires, Redline water wetter, 180* thermostat.

82camaro

Just the regular powertrax performance locker. Around 300 bucks.

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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro

MichaelRBrumm

82camaro: So in your mind, only people who have a powertrax are allowed to discuss how it works and post information from the manufacturer's website? And I should not have corrected GKK's statement?

And yet, you are allowed to GUESS that the manufacturer is underrating it's own product?

AND I NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT HOW IT SOUNDS. But now that you mention it, several people have posted that it sounds terrible "until you break it in".

[This message has been edited by MichaelRBrumm (edited October 02, 2001).]

82camaro

"Some people only install the locker just before a drag meet, and then remove it as soon as they get home. Does this tell you anything?" Is my only disagreement with you. It's not harsh like the old type lockers. I brought up the loud part because usually people complain about the noise of a locker. Below is a turn with the wheel cranked(max noise and harshness).

http://64.21.218.145:85/turn.htm


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350 with stealth intake, holley carb, 470 lift cam. 700r4 with .5 boost valve, vette servo, tci lock-up kit, B&M megashifter. Richmond 3.73 gears, powertrax locker, timkin bearings, synthetic lube. Custom 3 inch single into 2 2.5 pipes. 1 1/2 drop springs, 1 5/16 solid front sway bar, 1 inch rear bar, custom subframe connectors, custom LCA relocation brackets. Kobel ground FX, currant red metallic paint. Lots of other stuff...
82camaro