seeing as a few ppl found my last post on diff types very usefull, i'll type it all again (as closely to the original as i can remember)

Single Spinner: conventional differential that allows either drive wheel to spin independantly of the other for cornering purposes, but has the drawback that the wheel with the least traction will have all power transferred to it, which means that if you've got one wheel that has no traction, it'll just sit there and spin while you go nowhere.
An age old design that is the most common type fitted to passenger vehicles.

Limited slip differential: similar in construction to a single spinner, except that differential action is limited so not all power is transferred to the wheel with the least traction, and drive is possible unless there is a full loss of traction to both drive wheels.
Different methods are used to limit the power transfer to the least tractive wheel, with 9" diffs using clutch packs and BW/BTR78's using clutch cones. The amount of differential action/slip is determined by how tightly the clutch packs/cones are shimmed.
A proven alternative to a conventional differential, LSD's are popularly fitted to performance vehicles, or where greater traction is desired.

Viscous LSD: works similarly to a torque converter, but differential action is limited by a thick gel/grease.
A more expensive option than a conventional LSD, examples of viscous LSD's are the Hydratrak, and factory LSD's found in some jap imports.

Locking Differential: Physically lock both drive wheels together via spring loaded dogs (Detroit locker) or screw activated lugs (Detroit truetrak)
Much stronger and more reliable than LSD's, locking differentials are very good for cars that regularly see track use (more suited to circuit racing than drag racing) Locking differentials are a legal puzzle, they may be street legal in some states, but it's advisable to check with your local department of transport before fitting one.

Air locker: Kinda the best of both worlds, its an air activated locking differential that locks both drive wheels together when switched on, but when it's switched off it acts as a conventional single spinner.
Examples are the ARB air locker, and i'm pretty sure the BA RTV utes use a similar system.

Mini spool: replaces the spider gears inside a conventional differential, a min spool locks both drive wheels together.
Highly illegal on the street, most commonly found in amateur/semi professional drag racing cars. Mini spools increase tyre wear, as well as wear/load on axles. Street use is a bad idea because a locked diff will cause power understeer and power oversteer, poor handling, they make car parks and u-turns a nightmare, and make loss of control easy for inexperienced drivers,and even experienced drivers find locked diffs a handfull in adverse conditions.



Full Spool: Totally replaces the differential assembly that the crownwheel bolts to, but is much stronger. Has the same benefits, drawbacks and street legality issues as a mini spool.



CIG locker/welded diff: a conventional differential where the spider gears are welded together, effectively transforming the spider gears into a mini spool. Welded diffs are weaker than a mini spool, but are cheap and easy, although they are just as illegal.

will a mod please make this a sticky?[/img]

Very informative, thanks (again) Interceptor!

we should have a fordmods knowledge base as well as a vehicle modifications page

Just also to give you guys a rough figure on price:

You can get a diff rebuild on your existing diff, with any gears/ratios you want for ~$750.

If you opt for LSD add on, another $350.

So pretty much a 3.45:1 LSD or a 3.7:1 LSD, will cost you ~$1100, drive in, drive out.

Prices are from:

Preston Auto & Differiential
54 Shower St
Preston, VIC
(03) 9416-9935

All their work is guaranteed.

Mini spool: replaces the spider gears inside a conventional differential, a min spool locks both drive wheels together.
Highly illegal on the street, most commonly found in amateur/semi professional drag racing cars. Mini spools increase tyre wear, as well as wear/load on axles. Street use is a bad idea because a locked diff will cause power understeer and power oversteer, poor handling, they make car parks and u-turns a nightmare, and make loss of control easy for inexperienced drivers,and even experienced drivers find locked diffs a handfull in adverse conditions.

also found on most p plater commonwhores

im after a detroit locker for a 9 inch if anyone knows of one for sale

how about posting an ad in the "For sale/wanted" section?
failing that, grab a copy of the parts peddler, and look for places that do 9" conversions

you need 40 posts to put an add in so this was another way of doing it
i havnt looked in papers etc yet , expensive for a new one

i have an ef with a single spin diff, is it possible to use my whole diff, but put an LSD centre in it?

Yep, should cost around $300-400 fitted. But to get the most out of the diff, while they are working on it getting higher gears put in

cheers for the info cobba.

all the info on diffs is makin me want to go and give me mrs a good pounding. (i have a diff fettish)

cheers mate

-bazza

That price isnt' too bad, might have to find myself a diff repairer.
I am assuming that is new centre.
I don't want to go up any higher in gears, i can pull just over 100clicks in second and not on the limiter, but i would like to drive an ef with 3.45:1 ratio, to see what revs it does.
If any1 has a 5spd EF with 3.45:1, what rpm is it at 110km/h in 5th, and what speed can u pull out of second?
Thanks

ok, as you may have already heard im attempting to put a sr20 in my mk11 escort.. i would like the same ratio and an lsd that will fit my car.. can any1 suggest somewere in S/E Qld were i can get this done.. i thought of putting the standard 200sx diff in it but found out that they have irs so it want work

what ratio do the 200SX's run?

i think i read 3.916 final ratio

Last edited by Beefcake on Thu Nov 11, 2004 7:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.