9 Inch....wavetrac/truetrac, nodual/alloy....which one!!!???

[Simmo]

Been searcing for a while trying to decide what 9 inch centre to run...after some real world experiences/advice

Use will be a 50% street 25% track 25% strip, 3500lb ish El Camino, 335's, 450rwhp but would like to future proof for FI down the track, and I want to be able to abuse it without too much concern. Bit of a do it all machine so I understand there will be compromises one way or the other.

Are Wavetracs worth the extra expense for this type of use? Has anybody been beating on them regularly and would like to share their thoughts? I have heard of Truetracs destroying themselves at the drags, but I don't think a locker is the answer for this build either (corners are more fun :)

How bad is the gear set wear mentioned in some of the sales blurb with the bolt through alloy case option/s? Strength? I know a guy running 9's with a Yukon case but I dont know for how long!

The budgets not set, but I would like to spend extra if there's significant value in it.

[dontlifttoshift]

I think a truetrac will suit your needs just fine. With the horsepower numbers you are dealing with street tires will be no problem at the strip.

I was sceptical of a locker too, I still am, but I keep hearing that the secret is to run really soft springs in them.....softer than you can even buy and that they work very well then.

[SLO_Z28]

From experience the wave-trac doesn't work, it provides power to the unloaded wheel which is makes it hard to handle in road course situations. Do you already have the 9 inch rear? If you dont they are a power sap(they waste power and arent much stronger than a 12 bolt GM), and you can run the ideal posi unit for this application which is the eaton posi, but eaton doesn't make it for a 9 inch. We spent some time talking about this the other day, and noone really makes a good autocross posi for the 9 inch, the only unknown I could find is the Currie 9+.

[GNon18s]

I like the Trutrac. I had one in a daily driven (and frequently off-roaded) jeep for 5yrs. It was quiet, never broke, never wore out. The only time it didnt spin posi os of i had one wheel hanging off the ground. Im sure the wavetrac is awesome too, just twice the money.

[Simmo]

Thanks for the replys guys.

James - Interesting to hear about the Wavetrac, I love it when you hear that an expensive part you've wanted isn't actually needed :) I did have a 9 inch which I've just sold as I'm going to go a touch narrower...the funny part is it had a Currie 9+ clutch LSD in it..hmm. Haven't heard them mentioned in these circles before so I'd figured it'd be no good! Reason for running the 9 is parts availablity here, 12 bolt stuff is hard to come across whereas 9 inch stuff is plentiful incase I break something.

Anyone running alloy housings?

[79MALIBU]

I have had no luck with Trutrac. My current setup sometimes lifts one rear wheel off the ground in a hard turn. This is something I am working fixing, but if this happens one time on corners exit under power, the rear end lets out a loud grind groan and is never the same after that. I have gone through 2 Trutracs, each lasted about 3 events. I run under 400hp.

I have heard good things about the eaton posi unit. I am about to upgrade my rear end to a full floater and just run a regular clutch style posi. Last season i purchased an aluminum pumpkin. Should i scrap this idea and start looking for a 12 bolt?


See the first pitcure below. One of the worm gears rubbed a big hole next to the drilled hole in the upper right hand corner. The worm gear is designed to ride against this area, but the area is not polished or heat treated. I will never buy one again nor recomend a Trutrac in a ford 9" to anyone.
627076270862706

[AmKenpo1]

Simmo,
If your are not set on the 9", check out the Strange S-60 bolt in housing. http://www.strangeengineering.net/ go to page 73 in the Catalog. These assemblies are available complete and the Strange S-Trac Differential. Just like the Truetrac it is a helical gear differential but this unit has 6 gears per side vs the 3 gears of the Truetrac. This configuration spreads the load across 6 gears for greater strength. That along with standard 35 spline Alloy Axles your choice of gear ratios and disc brake options. If your looking for something that is future proof it fits the bill.

Wil.

[Simmo]

Thanks for all the input, and thanks Wil, I did come across your S-trac a while back, it's getting some good reviews on ls1tech.

One of the reasons for the 9 is the availablity of spares in this part of the world, I'm guessing the s-60/9 versions would perform pretty similar? I do like the "dont have to worry about breaking it" & future proofing factor with this centre & 35 splines...I guess it's a case of how much over do you over-build...next I'll be wanting a floater too lol!...but thanks, I will consider it...I'm going to build and mock-up my housing now and see what happens over the next 6-12 months with these centres out there getting a hammering.

Thanks
Chris

[Zachalanche]

I've heard good thingas about the platinum track, but its the same style of diff.
http://pitstopusa.com/i-5067065-dpi-ford-9-adjustable-platinumtrack-differential-31-spline-1-2-tight.html

I was planning on getting one for my car unless I hear of some good reasons not to.

[79MALIBU]

http://www.dpiracingproducts.com/

Looks promising. I may give these guys a call. Looks really light weight. If you try one please let us know how it turns out.

[Mike Holleman]

Chris, I am running A setup very similar to what you describe. My car is a 65 El Camino on a Schwartz chassis. LS2 making 445 RWHP. Rearend is Winters alum. housing(Ford 9 ")Coleman hubs, Strange alloy center w/ Tru Trac. This setup has performed flawlessly for four years of highway, road course, LSR, etc. Over 25,000 miles of hard driving. I do maintain my equipment at a high level but the Tru Trac unit has has over 15,000 miles on it. I do not drag race though so it has not seen hard launches on sticky tires. Hope this is some help to you.
Been searcing for a while trying to decide what 9 inch centre to run...after some real world experiences/advice

Use will be a 50% street 25% track 25% strip, 3500lb ish El Camino, 335's, 450rwhp but would like to future proof for FI down the track, and I want to be able to abuse it without too much concern. Bit of a do it all machine so I understand there will be compromises one way or the other.

Are Wavetracs worth the extra expense for this type of use? Has anybody been beating on them regularly and would like to share their thoughts? I have heard of Truetracs destroying themselves at the drags, but I don't think a locker is the answer for this build either (corners are more fun :)

How bad is the gear set wear mentioned in some of the sales blurb with the bolt through alloy case option/s? Strength? I know a guy running 9's with a Yukon case but I dont know for how long!

The budgets not set, but I would like to spend extra if there's significant value in it.