Road Race & Auto-X Rear-Ends...what do you prefer?

[Clois Harlan]

Getting ready to change out rear gears and was wondering what the "Educated Consesus" was on the type of rear ends that are best suited to Road Racing and/or Auto Crossing? In short do you use a "posi/trac-loc" type rearend or do you prefer the standard type rear gears.

Clois

[Buzzmobile]

ok, what do you have cooking? I smell a project coming on!

[Mike Simard]

The 'gear' type like a Torsen is considered better than a clutch disc type by many. There are those that prefer the clutch type though. I had a clutch type in my car originally. The best way to find out how good or bad a differential is by autocrossing it, this seems to amplify tendencies, especially in a Cobra with big rear tires. My car would push badly going into a tight turn after lifting from the throttle. It seemed to defy reason and I suspected there was some residual locking even though I'd just lifted. A couple of autox's like that and I installed a Torsen. The Torsen is a big improvement, it's still a Cobra with a short wheelbase and big tires and will still push in a tight autox but it feels more predictable now.

[Curt C.]

I agree with Mike. Torsen or Detroit Truetrac is the way to go unless you like to change out diff clutches on a regular basis.