There was a guy selling a bunch of 8" rears on E-Bay yesterday. I picked one up for $75.00 bucks. It has 3:00 gears in it along with a mini spool. I was going to pop it in the Comet. So, what concerns should I be worried about? Any mini-spool folks out there that can tell me how they work. He had four rears for sale last night. Two 3:00's, one 3:25 and one 3:40. The 3:00's went for 75 each, the other ones went a little higher. I figured what the hey. It'll give me something to play with. Now I'm not going to snap an axle will I? ANy advise will be appreciated. Thanks, Dave
Do a search...this is a very debated issue. I love mine, will never go with anything else. You just need to understand that the ass-end can come around and meet you in the front if you hit the gas hard on a turn, or on wet roads. Other than that, and the potential for snapping an axle, which won't happen unless you are pumping 350+ HP. I am running just shy of 300HP, 255 wide tires, and no problems for the past 2 or 3 years.
The 3.0 gears aren't going to be that much of an improvement over what you have (I'd opt for 3.4 at the very minimum - even closer to 3.8ish for street). The mini-spool simply makes both axles turn the same revolutions by "locking" them together with a "dowel" pin (imagine a shear pin), whereas, a "limited slip" type differential allows the wheels to turn at different speeds (advantageous during cornering). A mini-spool is great for traction, but not so street friendly (as Scott mentioned). A "Detroit Locker" or a "Trac-Lok" type spool would be more street friendly and provide you with good traction. More expensive though. There are plenty of options - each having their own characteristic that makes them "unique". $75 isn't a bad deal for what you're getting though. Good luck and let us know your opinion after the install and some seat time.
i just got a mini spool for my rear end.. cant wait to use it and i am a little hesitant as well. i dont want to see the rear of my car do anything except follow the rest of my car
The spool wouldn't have been my first chioce had I been totally liquid. I just figured it would be fun to play with. I can run the spool and now have a spare to rebuild as $$ and parts come available. On the gear ratio, I knew I could get the 3:00 cheap while I didn't really know where the other ratios would end up. There was a lot of activity on the 3:25 and 3:40 rear ends. I also was a little concerned about running a 3:40 rear with the C-4. The car already feels like it could use another gear when runnin down the highway.
c4 can handle the 4.11 without problems, if its fresh any worn tranny will have problems with any gears, in my opinion
Well,,, why do the manufactures state for dirt track only ???? Have to say this also,, rules state for a reason, aftermarket axles with a spool. It can be overlooked very easy, after it breaks and your buddies an track find out,,,, Also, if you ever saw a axle break at the track, even seasoned veterans couldn't keep car straight, you run a fair chance of smashing into opponents car, guard rails, lights, an whatever! It just ain't worth it!
I've looked at rebuilding my 3rd member which I may still do. I've looked at the Auborn posi unit at about $400 bucks and then there's a Just Rear Ends 4 pinion job at about $25 bucks less. Has anyone tried these units? I've also seen some of the ratcheting type units and their a little less than the above. I really don't like the idea of a rear end that goes clackity clack when I turn corners though. So has anyone had any luck with these after market posi's? Do they perform smoothly? Thanks ini advance... Dave
If you don't have 350 HP and aren't tearing it up at a track with slicks, I would just go with the spool. For $60, you could always pull it out and put in a $400 unit later.
I belive any of them can go out. A friend grenaded a $400 Auburn Limited Slip - granted, he was throwing some horses at it (and on the T-brake, slicks, and gas), but it happens.
