ANOTHER spool thread

[VN_Luke]

DO NOT TURN THIS THREAD INTO A MINISPOOL vs LSD ARGUMENT!!!!

I'm getting sick of having my LSD tightened up, pretensioned even more, and getting the cones machined... it's been done a fair few times, and costs money every time.

Yet again, my LSD isn't transferring power to both back wheels as often as it should, and it's time for another tighten up, and cone machining.....

I've looked into a detroit locker setup, but i can't justify forking out $1700

I can't seem to find an air locker setup to suit the bw housing....

My question is to those who have driven with a spooled diff for a while - How long should I expect trailing arm bushes etc to last? I'm sure chattering arpimd corners etc isnt' the best thing for them

Also - how frequently do axles bust? Or can the commodore axles handle a bit of abuse?

Cheers
Luke

[VL400]

Get a Lokka or lock-right (google for more info, lokka is aussie and lock-right is the US equiv which some say are better), around the $500 to $800 mark respectively and will NEVER single wheel - just like a spool under power but unlocks around corners with light throttle, nail it through a corner and it locks up solid.

I have the lokka version and find it to be really good, sometimes its just too much fun though!

[commy92]

just get a spool.. ive never had so much fun with my pants on

[VN_Luke]

Get a Lokka or lock-right (google for more info, lokka is aussie and lock-right is the US equiv which some say are better), around the $500 to $800 mark respectively and will NEVER single wheel - just like a spool under power but unlocks around corners with light throttle, nail it through a corner and it locks up solid.

That's exactly what i'm chasing, and for the money seems worth it.

I called the people that make the 'lokka' but they say they've discontinued them for redesign, and will be a few months before they come out again!

- Does anyone know any re-sellers that might have one or two lying around?

Spool is a completely valid option, it's just that if for 400 bux more i can get something that doesn't hop around corners, yet still gives you double wheel action at the press of a pedal, I reckon it's worth it

[justcruisen]

I only paid $100 for my mini spool 1.5hrs to fit haven't broken an axle yet and have beliberatly tried to break them.

[VN_Luke]

that's ace. i can get one for 100 bux, housing and all - just if i can find a locker (or 'unlocker' so to speak) for 500 - i'd rather pay it and have a legal(er) setup

[STEALTHY™]

i've had my spool over 2 years, and the bushes are still fine.

[commy92]

how the hell did you get your spool in in 1.5 hours. Took me like 4. but i suppose i had crap tools. didnt know what i was doing either so i suppose that counts.

[makntracks]

I only paid $100 for my mini spool 1.5hrs to fit haven't broken an axle yet and have beliberatly tried to break them.

where do all yous ppl get your spools for only $100 would realy like one where is the best place in brizzy to get one any ideas on how much im looking instaled.

thanx
mick

[STEALTHY™]

any diff or trans shop should be able to source them, but most wont sell them if they know its going into a street car, although i know heaps in SA that do, only because a happy customer is a repeat customer.


i can change an axle in 5 minutes (not including refilling oil), its just practise makes perfect.

[commy92]

lol.. i paid 145 for mine but i could have got it for 80 or someting off ebay. I just needed it then and there. Didnt have time for postage.. I had never even taken off a diff cover until i had done mine and i had never removed an axel. It wasnt hard to do. The only prob i had was removing the axels but i worked that out ( loosly bolt the rotor on backwad and slide it back and forwards until it pops out. Then once ide done all that i had the problem of removing the centre. I again had never done this. Once i had undone all the bolts i didnt know where to gofrom there. But a mate gave me a word of advice.. Just lever the sucker out. i didnt ahve a rattle gun so it was really hard to get the bolts around the centre undone. I ended up vicng 1 spanner and jumping on another to get it undone. Once it was all backtogether, I then couldnt get it back in. Stupid thing is SO tight.. Eventually got it in with the help of a couple of blocks off wood and a BIG hammer. That is prob not a good way to do it thought. Then i bolted it all up.. chucked the axels back in brakes and wheels on then filled it up with oil.. Then i found out (about an 15 minutes downthe raod) that my mate forgot to put the filler plug back in and i ended up having oil ALL OVER the car.. god darn that stank. So i gave it the test run anyway.. then put some new oil and a filler plug back in the next day. All up it was REALLY easy to do. So if you wnat to install one i suggest giving it a go. Its not really that hard. As long as you give yourself a day to do it you will be fine.

This has got to be the longest post ive ever rightn. Sorry if any of it dont make sense it involves to much effort to go back and read through it. If anyone needs some help with installing a spool, Although i take no resposibilty of the outcome i can give you a had.

Michael

[VN_Luke]

okay, so the spooool is now in 2 hours, complete diff swap, with axles out of my old diff in the new one.

overall, it's damn fun, and amazingly predictable compared to the LSD! That feeling of 'oh no, it might single spin' is GONE!

I was quite surprised the first few times i got a bit eager with the clutch and it just THROWS right away, it's gold! - On the spot U turns

Stealthy - any tips on minimising chatter around tight corners? (other than sliding the car through them? :P)

In theory, shouldn't i be able to make the inside wheel spin smoothly (wheelspinning) while keeping traction on the outside wheel? or is that not really possible?

Also - tyre pressure.... does it make a difference on chatter/strain on axles/comfort of ride? at the moment got some 15" RE92's @ 45psi each on the back, for spool driving education purposes.

[commy92]

lol driving education purposes. lol gotta love that. So how many "tyres" have you gone through so far. lol.. i managed to go through a 8 tyres in a matter of prob a day. lol... but that included a burnout comp. lol.. i love my spool. But im sick of not having a licence to test it properly... its fun on concrette. REMEMBER DONT GO INTO PETROL STATIONS IF THERE ARE ANY AND I MEAN ANY IFFY CARS IN THERE.. lol

[VN_Luke]

REMEMBER DONT GO INTO PETROL STATIONS IF THERE ARE ANY AND I MEAN ANY IFFY CARS IN THERE.. lol
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haha, sounds like good advice!

Spool education course is coming along quite nicely. I'm still amazed at how well it behaves (predictability) when you give it a bit of gas!

[commy92]

ahhh gotta love it hey. lol. MY grandparents wanna no hwy there are so many rubber scuff marks coming in and out the drive way. :whistle

[BUSTA]

does anyone know where can i get stronger axles for spooling a vn v6?

[STEALTHY™]

the only safe way to minimize chirping, is to use softer tyres, or even tyres that have already been used (2nd hand tyres don't make as much noise, you'll even notice this when doing burnouts, and chirping gears.)

only other thing i can suggest, drive smart. Dont drive places where you have to do sharp turns, like roundabouts, stick to the larger ones. its like driving a lowered car, you just don't go down the local shops with 500m high speed humps do you

Welcome to the world of knowing every time what your diff is going to do, no more hesitations!


BUSTA - If your V6 is stock, and your only upgrade is a spool, then theres no need for stronger axles, and you'll just end up damaging something else.

[VN_Luke]

the only safe way to minimize chirping, is to use softer tyres, or even tyres that have already been used (2nd hand tyres don't make as much noise, you'll even notice this when doing burnouts, and chirping gears.)

yeah I definately noticed this.

I went from re92's (used) which were very violent with chirping around corners etc... to some remoulded 225's, mega soft rubber, and there was no chirping only black line left in every driveway i ever pulled into

now i'm on a medium soft tyre, can't remember brand name, it's lasted aaages (about 5 weeks now) compared to the others and very minimal chattering, unless you're really trying.

I've played with trying to get just the inside wheel to spin smoothly around a corner, it works (no chatter, smooth turn), but it's hard to get right 100% of the time.... and if you give it a little too much gas...... heh

[STEALTHY™]

i was thinking the opposite. If i have brand new tyres, i can chirp 5th every day of the week, but when there getting down to half, they barely make 4ths

(note, 2nd isn't classed as a chirp, its a power slide)

If you give it a little too much gas

[VN_Luke]

(note, 2nd isn't classed as a chirp, its a power slide)

bahahahaha

I agree with the new tyres = more noise, worn tyres = less noise!

just seems soft tyres = less noise/smoother ride but much quicker wear
and hard tyres = more noice/harsh ride and long lasting.