I am in the planning/starting to acquire parts phase and I am wondering if I should go with a Torsen or Trac-Lok? I'm sure this has been asked before, but every answer will be different depending on their application. MY application will be a variety of track, street and possibly the occasional drag. Now checking out the info on the diff's themselves, the Torsen says that it is NOT for drag racing. My questions is, why? Will it hurt it to do things like drag racing down Main Street in London during the London Cobra Show? I will likely only ever see a 1/4 mile track a handful of times in the cars life. Is this too much stress on a Torsen or should I stick with the Trac-Lok? The build is planned to be a Dart 351W block bored and stroked to 427ci making around 500ish HP & torque (give or take) with a TKO 600 trans and IRS. Advice and opinions welcome. Thanks.
StaticChaos
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8,047 Posts
I ran a rebuilt trac loc for many years and plenty of 1/4 mile passes and Auto X runs. The only reason I switched to the Torsen was for Auto X where the trac loc wasn't suited to getting through tight sections under power without inducing either understeer or oversteer by locking up. The Torsen did make a very noticeable difference for Auto X but really doesn't feel any different in regular street use or for drag racing. The helical gears in the Torsen are proably not as strong as the spider gears in a regular rear end but I think as long as you aren't running full drag slicks and launching at high rpm it should be fine. I haven't noticed any signs of the Torsen suffering after 3 years and many Auto X launches and a few 1/4 mile passes with sticky DOT-R rubber.
On the other hand I don't think that you would be disappointed with the Trac loc for fun track use, at least not until you start getting a little competitive.
On the other hand I don't think that you would be disappointed with the Trac loc for fun track use, at least not until you start getting a little competitive.
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The T2-R has friction plates that make sure that there is always some residual torque so that having a wheel off the ground does not result in a 'free wheeling' diff. The T2 will 'free wheel' if one wheel is off the ground. The T2-R is almost like having a hybrid traction loc / torsen. On a well set up rear wheel drive car I'm not sure what would cause a rear wheel to lift off the ground.. I can see the value in having the friction plates on a front wheel drive or front axle of an all wheel drive car though.
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If you buy a rear end for your project which has a limited slip it will be the Ford trac loc so you will effectively get it for free. My suggestion would be to just replace the friction discs in the stock trac loc (along with axle and pinion seals) and see how you like it. Unless you get serious about Auto X I'll bet that you will be very happy with the Ford set up. Spend the money you save on something that you will actaully be able to enjoy the benefits of every day.
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