I don't know, but a Ford 7.5 or 8.8 IRS rear will be easier to find and probably cheaper. Many ratios and limited slip diffs are available.

I am hoping to find something close to the mb diff. I think the ford or chebby stuff would be way too bulky.

Thanks for the ideas, though, keep them coming!

Tom W

Close reading of the scca rules reveals that it is legal in my class, it specifically mentions welding.

This might suggest it is of some value....

Tom W

Hey Tom..... What make & model of car are running in autocross?....Any pics?..:D

I am running my scruffy old 84 280e euro five speed. It is lowered a bit and has hd bilsteins on front and koni reds on back and 225/50 r14 hoosier slicks on back. I am having fun and am attracting the attention of all lovers of lost causes at the meets.

With a good posi I might be able to run with the minis! I was within a second of a mini s yesterday.

The guy I was working the corner with said I probably couldn't whip the neon st4 turbo cars but I beat both of them.

I was hankering to win best four door but I got beat by the subie turbos. I am not sure I can run with them even if i find a posi or find the full locker will work.

It is fun trying to run with the new cars with their traction control and abs. My car has all that but it is all contained in my head and right foot!

one of these days maybe I will get some pics posted.

Tom W

I googled locked differential in an autocrosser and found a lot of stuff.

The most interesting was a long discussion of the benefits of a locked rear end in a race car. It said that it was a bigger advantage in a car with a high center of gravity. It did say that it causes the car to need to be driven and set up differently, too. And it said that Mark Donahue said if your driver needs a lsd instead of a spool you need to change your driver. He just thought that folks who couldn't drive a car with a locked rear were Pu$$ies!

I think the most telling post was from a guy who was road racing a small bmw. He had used the factory lsd for years and had to spend about $1000 rebuilding it after each season. He also competed in one race which lasted 12 hours and wore one out in that race alone. So he had one welded up and was happy with the results.

ONe fellow even spoke of driving cars on the street with a spool but I think that is out for sure.

I think I will give it a try if my indie will weld mine up for me.

Tom W

So I had the diff welded last week (cost a little over a hundred dollars by my very handy indie).

And did an autocross yesterday at Colombus Indiana's Walesboro airport. The autocross area is an area with very worn asphalt, a lot of sand and debris on the track and waiting corn to catch the person who gets behind on their steering.

The locker was a success in my mind, so far. It was very noticable manuevering around the paddock but not a problem. ON the course the dig out of each corner was completely awe inspiring! ON the limit though it was tricky. If you begin to skid, it can suddenly grip and throw you completely the other way in increasingly alternating skids which happen quickly enough as to be very tough to catch. I did a 270 once and ended in the grass at the edge of the corn and my #4 daughter ended one run deep in the corn, prompting a lot of friendly comments about roasting ears.

I got beat by a whisker by a late model GTO which has about 350 HP but weighs over 3700#. Not bad for a 23 year old car with 185 hp weighing around 3000. We were running ESP class.

Tom W

What did your tire pressure changes end up being?

If you ever go to a Ford 8.8, this may be worth looking into: ARB makes an air-pressure activated locker system which is usually marketed to the 4x4 community. You would have to find a spot to mount an on-board air compressor, but it would allow the ability to deactivate the locking diff when desired.

ARB makes lockers for all kinds of axles. nissan and dana (30 is jusnk, 44 is tough) are by far the most popular in off road vehicles because they can handle the beating. maybe something to look into.

it wasn't a put down. just the el cheapo way to go. that's all i ment.

I was running around 30 front and 27 rear. The pressure did not change much during the runs.

Tom W

No worries.

Tom W

I meant before welded diff/after welded diff.

I have not noticed much difference. The traction out of the turns is awesome now compared to before.

Tom W