84 z28

I have done a search on this unit called powertrax and i think im going to buy it.But I have a couple questions that I need resolved.To start I have a open rearend with a 3.23 gear.1st question if I was going to do dounts in my car with this new unit would it stay locked or unlock and do one wheel peel?2nd question is there are 2 part numbers available for my rear what the difference aside from the price?

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

And which one would be better for my car?

//<86TA>\\

iTrader: (15)

spend the money on a good posi unit and forget the powertrax, they are way to rough, noisy, and downright scary. I had on for a little while, hated it and took it out. I fortunately got it used so it didnt break the bank.

Just do yourself a favor and pass on the idea

You could probably buy a good complete 4th gen rear, with a good posi in it for the same amount. and get better brakes to boot

84 z28

4th gen 10 bolts are just as bad as 3rd gen 10 bolts so thats out of the question and a waste of money. I have an open diif so to spend the money on a posi unit I will have replace tha carrier from what I am told so thats gonna break the bank.So im still leaning towards the powertrax.

danandamy

The lock rite (cheaper one) is harsher than the other one. I just installed the lock rite in my car (non street driven) but haven't had the oportunity besides the test driving to really try it out much. It is super easy to install, will say that. Also if you go to do donuts it will have both wheels locked. In fact, if you are on the throttle AT ALL it will be locked. Going around any kind of corner, you have to be off the throttle and coast around or it will scoot the tire. I have left my little street tires on the car on purpose so that I will still have a little tire spin and not bind up the rear end. Also I see you have an 84, I'm assuming it is an actual 7.5" rear end. Reason I bring it up is this is the only area I've run into on my rear end where the 7.5 and 7 5/8 WILL NOT interchange. If you have a 7 5/8 you have to buy the one for 7 5/8.

slow_90firebird

Aren't these the ones made for 4-wheeling? I think I seen them on 'Trucks' in a jeep for rock climbing.

Sounds like a decent diff tho, if you like to drift and all that. I think I would go with something more mild, like the Zexel Torsen, because I would be afraid that the powertrax would lock up in the rain, and send me sideways when I least expect it or something.

84 z28

Well this isnt a daily driver and is never driven in the rain. I just put a new motor in last summer and i want this thing to hook up a little better instead of the one wheel peel. 400hp+ 3000stall + smoking tires all the way to 3rd gear with one wheel peel. I have posted 2 differnet powertrax units which unit would be better in your opinion for weekend driving with my horsepower ?

jvontungeln

For the same money you can get a Eaton TrueTrac. The Powertax units are kinda rough for street use, and the ratcheting sound was very annoying going around corners.

84 z28

They dont make the eaton for my rearend

ryan91rs

iTrader: (1)

well i guess not many f body guys like the powertrax but the G body guys (same pumpkin) love them. Yes setting up a posi is a super pain in the butt. Shimming, using all the dials blah blah. They ratchet sometimes. but if you have a decent exhaust you will never hear it. And use a good rear end lube like mobil one or lucas and that will help a little too.

I would get it. I can't remeber but don't you get rid of the spider gears too? If so then that is the weakest link anyway. So i say go for it unlaess you have a spare 3K to buy a dana 60 or strange rear.

DrummerDad

I was just wondering the same thing. Only I have a 91, so I think its a 28 spline. I just want a little more traction, for when the LT1 goes in. Its only gonna be about a 1 year fix. And I only drive 4 miles to work. And I can put this in in the driveway. The local shop wants $175 to set one up, and thats after I spend about $1000 on parts for a weak rear. Ill be getting an S-60 later, but I figured this would be a quick fix to the one wheel peel. Or should I just get a used posi unit from a 4th gen?

jvontungeln

I had mine in a Jeep with a D44, it sounded like a kids bike with playing cards hitting the spokes on a turn, and it was supposed to be the quiet version.

84 z28

think im going to get it just have to figure out which unit is better. I plan on getting newer stonger axles, the powertrax unit and an aluminum girdle cover for the rearend. I only have this for a street car so its not getting abused at the track every weekend so im thinking its going to hold up. As for the clicking going around turns i have long tube headers dual exhaust and moroso spiral mufflers so sometimes icant even hear my radio when im crusing aat a good speed so i know the clicking wont bug me.

slow_90firebird

Well, the clicking wouldnt bother me lol. Kinda like guys get timing gears for the loud noise they make, I would just consider it a performance sound lol.

I would call up the Mfg. and ask them what one they recommend for your application. Tell them your rear end, your power levels, and your typical usage. Then they will recommend the right one for you I bet.

Also, what about the detroit locker? Or the Zexel Torsen? This is a 10 bolt we are talking about, right?

84 z28

detroit locker is $530 compared to the powertrax lock rite $371. I just read an article in chevy high performance on this pwoertrax unit and im sold on it.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...all/index.html

ryan91rs

iTrader: (1)

i think he meant the detroit EZ locker. it's like powertrax. i think it's newer have not heard of any experiences from it as of yet.

jvontungeln

These kind of lockers are used alot offroad, they're called lunch box lockers. The Aussie Locker is by far the hotest new thing, no idea if they offer this application.

Destructimus

Does anybody have any experience with the more expensive of the two? I might get one but if it locks up still when I accelerate around a corner I'll probably won't want it.

EvilCartman

iTrader: (1)

Had a powertrax no-slip locker, broke it in the rain. A broken part jammed open the rear and only got power to 1 wheel, the other was free wheeling which made it fun driving back home. I was stopped waiting for traffic to clear then gave enough gas to break the tires loose pulling out from a parking lot, BANG went the rear. Switched to a 9 inch with a posi and it's much much better.

awilson82

I run a powertrax and I have no complaints with it. If you dont want it to chatter throw some lucas in the diff and it will still click but not that bad. When going through corners you can have the throttle open some but too much and it scoots the tire but once you drive with it a while its not an issue. In the rain they are questionable but as long as you dont get stupid they will be ok. I like mine but Ill probably be switching to a truetrac or a different unit at some point just because I have to satisfy my curiosity. I will say this the powertrax install was as easy as they come.

Destructimus

You mean like, you just get used to the tire skip? Thats lame. I'm most worried about a tire sliding a little when I go crazy and weave in and out of traffic on the freeway... I'm still going for a zexel torsen but if that fails and I find a deal I might go with this.

slow_90firebird

The way I see it, tire skip is a love-hate relationship. I know this kid with a nissan 240SX, and he welded up the spider gears together real good. The inside tire used to lock up and hop, anytime he tried to get into a parking space. If he was making a more gradual turn, like into a parking lot at 10mph, the outside tire would drag a little, and howl like someone left the e-brake on.

The cool part was, when he went to drift. That car was amazing drifting. So I guess the good thing about these lockers, would be that with power applied, it is like a spool. But they do make it possible *if you coast* to pull into a parking spot without snapping an axle or something.

awilson82

With my powertrax I can pull pull in a parking space with a little power applied and not completely coasting its all in being gentle with it and once you get the hang of living with it its not an issue.

punkdude908

so i've been thinking about swapping in a posi unit for a while now but still don't know what to get. a guy at work recommended the Eaton TrueTrac but i can't seem to find anyone who carries it for an 83 Firebird....you guys have any Eaton part #'s? and is the powertrax really THAT bad?? should i just try to find a uses T/A or GTA posi unit?

awilson82

Like it was said above the powetrax really isnt that bad its just you have to get used to what it will do and learn to be gentle when doing certian manuvers. Is it good for winging around corners? O god no. Can you still corner decently if you arent stupid with it? Absoulutely. Will it click and scoot a tire now and then? Yes. Heres the deal I drive my car a few thousand miles a year and I have no issues with my powertrax.

Destructimus

So what can I expect to happen if I change lanes on the freeway at wide open throttle? Will it scoot a tire?

awilson82

Never done it being as I didnt have overdrive and I never did much highway driving but driving to the track on a 4 lane you can switch lanes at 65ish no prob. I wouldnt recommend trying to weave through traffic and get stupid with it...is not meant for that buy a posi. Can you get by with one if your car is a street strip car and you dont try to road course it? Yeah no prob. When I say you get used to it I mean the random tire chirp in a corner or pulling into a parking space or the slight clicking sound during a low speed turn. A power trax is a locker not a posi it has teeth and LOCKS the rear wheels together just like a spool would. But instead of being constanly locked like a spool the force of differing speeds of the wheels cause the powetrax to unlock so you can turn easier. The problem arises when its in this process of unlocking and you gas it and your rear tires stay locked then you scoot one. So with a powertrax you should go into a corner neutral with little or not throttle so the wheels are unlocked. If you want a unit for corners or you cant live with some noise and the random tire scoot (which if you are smart you can avoid) then you need another unit. If you want somthing cheap and decent for your street/strip car so both wheels are locked then look no further.

Destructimus

You know what, for the price I can get and the fact that I hear about eatons breaking and auburns sucking and zexel torsens being impossible to find and wearing out with no hope for rebuild I think I'm just going to go for it. The thing will be great for chasing seagulls in the parking lot... er I mean drag racing

awilson82

I like it lol. Just remeber that if the car starts doing somthing stupid (which if your smart about it you wont experience much trouble) just lift off the throttle and you're fine simple as that. I like my powertrax and I bot it for the same reason cheap and no worse/better than any of my other options at the time. Have fun chasing sea...o wait drag racing yes lol!

Destructimus

Actually it turns out the one I saw on ebay only fits gov-lock units. Be careful guys because it turns out the more expensive of the two will only fit posi units, the cheaper one is for open diffs. Anyway, its at $50 with one bid and there's only like 17 hours left so if anybody wants a deal, that might be a good place to find it. i'm tempted to put down some cash for it in case the spider gears on the eaton or auburn i probably end up getting disintegrates on me...