Spool or locker?

[lilbowtie]

We run a spool in my buddy's Challenger never had an issue with it and it's a street car because the cage won't pass tech for the times he runs. He drives that car everywhere and the only issue has is he needs to make sure he doesn't get caught in really tight turns. When he does he ends up dragging a tire. Ive only run stock a posi in my cutlass but that Challenger has no issues with the spool.

Depends on what you call no issues. You already know it won't turn - try parallel parking it, try jumping on it to pass a car on a two lane @ 30 mph (on second thought don't) it's not save. It won't handle or make evasive moves. Yes people run them on the street - it's safe as long as your goin straight.

 

[DRIVEN]

Many years ago I broke a pinion In my daily driver that had a Ford 8". I had a spare third member on the shelf but it had a spool. Since I needed the car to commute the next morning I slapped it in. Even though it was just a couple miles each way it was absolutely miserable. I couldn't find a replacement fast enough. So, for all the guys that say it's dangerous -- they're probably right. For me, it just wasn't any fun. There was nothing cool about it. Spools belong at the dragstrip.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Try parrell parking with a spool, you will think your world has come to an end. That is how I figured out my no slip had failed and locked together. I could hear the tires dragging more than usual but parking was just plain violent.

 

[H/O84]

Depends on what you call no issues. You already know it won't turn - try parallel parking it, try jumping on it to pass a car on a two lane @ 30 mph (on second thought don't) it's not save. It won't handle or make evasive moves. Yes people run them on the street - it's safe as long as your goin straight.

Passed many people on a 2 lane just going way faster than 30 lol
He has never had to parallel park the car because he knows he can't so he doesn't. We have had many close calls in that car. You would be surprised how many people miss a bright orange car with open headers and cause you to have to move quickly. 2 things need to be known when driving a car with a spool. Know you limitations and be your aware of your suroundings. Only unsafe if you don't understand you can't handle extremely well and try to do something that requires that. He knows what not to do therefore it's completely safe only times he has issues is pulling out of parking spots at shows if people park to close to him and when that happens he just needs to go slow.

 

[lilbowtie]

Cage won't pass so it's not a full cage which say's you have a 9 sec car - and running open headers on the street ??? Glad to here he knows how to drive.

 

[H/O84]

Runs 10s on motor 9 on spray. Sporting a 518 big block pushing 700hp and more than that in torque, full interior and he has electric cutouts right after the headers so it goes from loud to quiet with a flick of a switch but being who he is there are rarely closed. It's the definition of street car every Thursday night we drive it 30 miles on the highway to a meet and 30 back only issue it has is a 3 speed and a 4.10 gear with a big motor get him 3.5 miles per gallon. Hell there are days we just cruise back roads doing pulls cause we can. Never had problems with it having a spool except leaving tight parking spots which requires going slower than usual

 

[el camino ss 84]

My malibu has a Detroit locker in a 9 inch ford. Also My El Camino also has a Detroit locker in a 7.5 rear end. Both haven't driven yet so can tell you good or bad. But have driven a friend's regal with a spool and it drove horrible around corners causing wheel hop and wore the driver side tire more than passenger side. When turning had to go under 25 mph to feel safe compared to higher speeds. Was great for 1/4 mile that's about the only thing.

 

[SoFloG]

I appreciate all the input. I'm still undecided though. I'm drawn to the spool idea for the simplicity and capability for handling tons of power. On the other hand I don't want my car to end up being a pain in the *ss if I decide to drive it to work or take the kids to the beach. It's not gonna be a daily driver by any means. I can deal with some tire skipping, and I cant recall the last time I parallel parked anywhere, but safety is priority.
Car already has a huge choppy cam, 2800 stall and 3" exhaust with flowmaster 40s, so it's street manners are kinda off already.

 

[TURNA]

If you can live with yourself after killing someone on the road because you wanted to save 200 buxx and couldn't control the car properly in an emergency situation.

Then by all means get the spool.

Guys are telling you it's a b*tch to parallel park a car with a spool.

Just imagine doing 35 miles an hour and that kid runs out in front of your car

Don't cut corners with safety.

I don't care what you think. You are NOT making enough power to break a true Detroit Locker!!!!

 

[565bbchevy]

Car already has a huge choppy cam, 2800 stall and 3" exhaust with flowmaster 40s, so it's street manners are kinda off already.

565 cubic inches, 748 lift cam, 4,000 stall, 4.5" exhaust with Flowmaster Top 10 Race mufflers and a Detroit Locker.
Totally streetable and I can make sharp turns and parallel park and it actually handles well.
I am not willing to sacrifice driveabilty because of my drivetrain.