Going to start buying the parts for the Ford 8.8, anybody have this Diff? Good choice? How ill it compare to OEM?

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/DTL-912A562/

 

I'm running one. Screwing around with the car in town it's same as stock as far as I can tell. Not tracked it yet, though.

 

I ordered the same diff. I'm really hoping that it will behave like the stock differential, as I still want to be able to auto x and road race it in addition to be able to launch it on the drag strip

 

Whats the major diff between this and the OEM Ford Traction Lok. I am really just tired of blowing money and might go the "less expensive" way, or just not do it at all........

 

The traction lock is the clutch type differential I believe. That what I ran in my old mustang, and what they use in most of the trucks and suv's. Its ok for mild street use, but beware the clutches wear extremely quickly if subjected to heavy abuse. I had to rebuild mine about every 15k miles, but I was hitting the dragstrip every week making 5-6 passes. I also had issues with the carrier wearing down rather quickly from the abuse of slicks, and heavy street abuse. I would probably not recommend it for our cars as its a crude, low tech design, and it will require a fair amount of maintainence to keep it working properly. Also the clutch material contaminates the gear oil rather quickly. I've rebuilt lots and lots of 8.8 with bad pinion and carrier bearings from contaminated oil. If you choose this route, change the gear oil fairly often. It will make it last a lot longer. One positive to the clutch type ford is that you can rebuild it cheaply, and the amount of lockup can be changed by shimming the clutchpack tighter. We used to pack as much shim as possible behind the clutches to really make them lock up tight for drag purposes. Sort of gives you the effect of a spool while still being able to turn. Good luck on whatever you choose. I would suggest the detroit, you'll like that a lot better.

 

^ Thanks

I will think about it. I don't drive the car too often, and when I do, it's mostly straight line stuff, no road racing etc. I am looking to basically launch the car at the track a few times a month. I can maybe upgrade later, but for now I just want something I can take to the track. I may go with the upgraded one, however getting the DIFF, Install kit and Gear set for the total price of the Detroit Diesel Tru Trac is appealing. As long as it lasts through the summer I wouldnt care (ghetto I know, lol )

 

If you're making power, you'll find that a clutch-type diff is the way to go for predictability on throttle. A Torsen-type diff is great for stock power levels, but can get hairy on track.

 

so it makes sense to get the less expensive one

 

It's hard to go wrong with a Detroit Locker rear end. No clutches in a Detroit Locker to wear out
http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsS...als/PCT_221432
With a Detroit Locker if you jack up one wheel and put the car in gear it will drive right off the jack, with a standard clutch type posi rear ends they don't drive the wheel with the most traction like a Detroit Locker will.
Some good reading here

http://www.eaton.com/Eaton/ProductsS...ials/index.htm

ROD
p.s. I had a Chevy 12 bolt in my dragster and the D/L made my 1/4 times much more consistent

 

so basically the detroit disel offers better grip/traction?