E locker vs. Spool?

I building a car that I expect to run in the 9's on slicks and will weigh around 3,800 lbs.

How much slower will the car be using an Eaton E-Locker vs. a spool in a Dana 60 rearend? How much will the additional weight and rotating mass slow the car down?

Does anyone have experience with an Eaton E-Locker in this level of application durability wise?

I have no personal experience with a locker, but basically if you do any street driving, a locker would be a good idea. However, I'm sure a couple of people do use a spool on the street on a limited basis. But it would be suicide in the rain.

If it is strip only, I can't think of any reason why you should not go with a spool. I'm sure a spool is more durable than any locker, less expensive and why carry the weight? And with a Dana 60 spool, you can upgrade to 40 spline axles for extra long-term insurance. Not sure if a locker would have that option.

I run a Detroit Locker in my 63 because it is a street car and it works great. But I only run mid 11's and my car weighs just over 3700 lbs with me in it. I agree if it is race only I would use the lighter spool. Ron

With a 9 second car even if you do drive it on the street I bet its not enough to warrant the locker. I would go with the spool as its the most simple and less likely to fail.

I ran an E-locker in my 3800# ProStreet 71 Charger in 2004. First time I forgot to turn it off at the top end of the track and made the corner to the return road it broke internally. I told an Eaton rep about it at PRI and he said he did not recommend their unit for drag racing. The torque of large slicks going around a corner on a sticky track was too much for the E-Locker.

I am currently setting up a 3600# 70 B-Body with 1500hp twin turbos as a "street car". So I called ARB a few weeks ago and inquired about their air locker unit and was called back by both the head of marketing AND the head of the tech department, Both said they DID recommend their unit for racing and that it would hold up to something like 35,000 Ft pounds of torque. So I am getting setup as a dealer for them (through ProMax Carbs). If you need more info let me know as I will be talking to them directly in 2 weeks at the PRI show.

Scott

How many types of 8-3/4 locker are there and are some stronger than others.
Mick

I will be running a normal Detroit locker in my 60. I have never broke on yet, little noisey on corners but I do not autocross my car.

Dr Diff built my 60 with a Detroit Locker and after a year and 100+ mid 10 sec. runs has held up great.

In case there is any confusion, the E-Locker RSNAKE ia reffering to is an electric locking system which can be locked solid as a spool or unlocked to operate as a posi unit with the flip of a switch on the dash.

Weight wise, it was MUCH heavier than a spool, but I did not notice any power loss from the rotating assembly. I installed it after having the ladder bars fatigue and break from driving 18.5 tires with a spool on the street.

The ARB Locker I was refering to is a similar unit, only it requires an air supply to lock the unit, and is "open" when unlocked. They are more commonly used in 4x4 trucks for rock crawling.

The Detriot locker is a mechanical posi type unit and does not fully lock a rear end. There have been instances, particuarly in 4-speed cars, where the Detroit unit can create an unequal power distribution when power is first applied or between shifts. I ran one in a 383 4-speed car and every shift the car moved a few inches right before it locked again. Had an Automatic car with the same gears set (8-3/4) and it ran straight.

And if anyone can make a Detroit locker work, it would be Dr.Diff

Scott - Am I understanding you right in saying you switched from a spool to an E-locker and now to an ARB locker? You have not noticed any change in ET due to any of these changes (before the E-locker broke)?

I believe the Eaton E-locker is an open diff when not engaged. The Auburn ECTED has an electric lock function and is a posi when not engaged.

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Scott - Am I understanding you right in saying you switched from a spool to an E-locker and now to an ARB locker? You have not noticed any change in ET due to any of these changes (before the E-locker broke)?

I believe the Eaton E-locker is an open diff when not engaged. The Auburn ECTED has an electric lock function and is a posi when not engaged.

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I did not notice an ET difference switching from the spool to the E-locker, and it was definitely a posi when unlocked. The car was running consistant 11.0's on motor, and 10.10 with a hit of NOS.

The ARB unit is going in a new project.