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best autocross diff? torsen, auburn, eaton

12K views 14 replies 13 participants last post by  Roadsport 
#1 ·
looking to upgrade from tlok. looking at the torsen t2r but have read mixed reviews but the bad was from many years ago have their problems been remedied. and I was looking at the auburn autocross road race series seems like it might be really good. and then the tru trac heard a lot of good for them. this is going in a fox with coilovers a maximum motorsports panhard. a torque arm will be installed shortly. I have really gotten into the autocross and will probably do some other track events this year also. any info would be appreciated, I only want to change once if possible.
 
#5 ·
Good info. I'd like to hear what professional drivers think of it.
At $500.00 more than a Torsen TR2 in a 8.8 I don't see the value unless it is for a dedicated track car.
 
#3 ·
Just recently switched from Ford Trac-Lok with FRPP CF clutches to Torsen T2R. Haven't had a chance to try it on track yet, but hopefully soon I will. I did already experience one fallback of gear type diff, when I got stuck pulling into my driveway lol.
 
#4 ·
Not auto-x or Fox experience specifically, but I love the T2R in my 07 for track days. You can get on the throttle very early and the car really comes out of the corner hard.


cheers
Ed
 
#6 ·
Get the T2R. I have autocross experience with the T lok, and T2R in my 02 gt, world of difference. I also have experience in a cup turbo coupe thunderbird with a Detroit tru trac and my ESP camaro that had a T2R and went to a tru trac.. Trust me the T2R is the better performing diff. Now, the tru trac can take a lot more abuse and drag racing and cheaper, but if you want to be faster and not swap a clutch style diff every season get the T2R
 
#7 ·
I blew up the T-lock the very first day I owned my 84 GT, back in 87...and that was with TRX wheels and tires, lol

Went to an Auburn cone clutch unit and autocrossed/lapped with this setup (4.10 gear) for about 20 yrs and 200 000 miles. Sold the unit used for $100 after that, still works fine today.
Way better than the t lock, predictable in the wet coming out of corners, smooth.

New build has 8.8 axle, 3.73 gears, 31spl Mosers, girdle, welded tubes, and MM T/A and PHB.
Oh...and a Truetrac unit from Summit Racing, running 315/35 Nitto NT01's. Have done a bunch of track days as well as about 20 passes at the strip;
car hooks up like Velcro, and the rear end is quiet. Needs conventional 85W140 dino gear lube, NOT synthetic. The improvement over the Auburn is as great as the step from the Tlock to the Auburn. There is Zero lag time between applying the throttle and getting real traction coming out of a corner or in a straight line (ask the dude in the Gallardo what my tail lights look like lol). This is both in the dry, and even more confidence inspiring in the wet. Catching a slide is easier, as is regaining traction when the rear end breaks loose under hard braking (prior to T/A install).
No question one of the best mods possible if you drive the car hard out of corners or launch. There is some extra axle end play compared to the other diffs I've had; may have to machine up some spacers, since I just installed manual brakes, will see this spring.

Now - the diff between the various Torque Sensing diffs - TrueTrac was bought out by Eaton, and their quality issues seem to have been taken care of. They also make a tougher version with 4 side gears instead of the more common 3 gear version which is even stronger. The tech discussions on the bias ratios lead me to believe that it is a small (potential)improvement for a lot of additional money. The actual friction/weight bias increase is fairly small, IIRC; the spring loaded setup likely cuts down on the reaction time, especially during suspension loading and unloading.

Having said that, the only real and fair comparison would be to swap out the diffs in the same car and try all 5 different models. My belief is the torque sensing concept is a big win (Audi, Quaiffe, etc) and we are likely splitting hairs between all these products.
Locating your axle properly (if you have IRS then the Full Tilt Boogie credit app should be filled out)and using real dampers and tires will likely overshadow any differences between the various TS diffs. I am a fan in a big way, that's for sure.
 
#8 ·
Long time autoxer here, replaced clutch packs in the trak-lok units too many times. Upgraded to a torsen diff, it was great for 2 and 1/2 events. 3rd time out on my 2nd run of the day it grenaded with a truly loud bang. I called torsen up to find out the cost of repair ( at my expense, knowing that competition parts don't come with warranty ) only to be told it was simple, just buy another one !!!!
F that s***. I bought an auburn pro/competition diff. It worked very good, however, I'm now on my second auburn diff and that might have been trashed at Nationals last Sept.
Auburn diffs do not continue on once you unload one wheel or the other, and I got enough grip to bicycle the car on the practice course.
The WaveTrak unit looks like it might survive the abuse my car can produce, but at more than twice the cost of an auburn I may just go with an old skool detroit locker next.
I can't find enough words to describe my feelings about torsen but if you must have one of those I have a t2r version ( not the one that blew up ) that I would sell dirt cheap.
#50CP#
 
#10 ·
The best Wave Track for the 8.8 is the one without the C clip set up. They are actually a quaffe (think thats correct) licensed to be manufactured in the US. It seems to be very popular in Europe.

My biggest worry is the 3.90 Motive gears were very difficult to set up.
Wishing I HAD A 9" INSTEAD. The detrot locker is great have to learn how to handle it. Had one in my 650+ RWHP 69 Shelby loved it.
 
#12 ·
thanks for all the replies and feedback, I bit the bullet and got the T2R getting it installed in the next week, cant wait to try it out.
 
#13 ·
I installed a Torsen T2R in my 2007 Shelby GT that I autocross on 285/30X18 street tires, not slicks.
I had to dial in the suspension all over again. It took a ton of the push out and allowed me to get on the gas sooner coming out of corners.
It makes a little noise and is kind of 'notchie' on slow corners, but I love it.
I've had it in for probably 15-20 events and haven't had any problems.
 
#15 ·
My vote would have been on the T2R too. Or any preloaded torque sensing diff. I've done road racing with european Ford escort since 2001. Fell in love woth the torque sensing diffs. First had the true track then quaife. Now building my first v8. Fox body witha 9" rear. I went for a speedmasters wormgear locker. Preloaded and torque sensing. Arrived broken straigt out of the box. Hope thats not a sign of their quality. Well it might as well be. Anyway I got repair parts for free so no real harm done.
 
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