Posted by Frankenbiker on April 02, 05 at 14:40:47:
In Reply to: Re: Eaton vs Auburn posted by Ben on April 02, 05 at 12:02:48:
: My favorite is a Gleason (Tru-Trac) for any diff, but they are expensive and haven't heard of them in a while.
You can buy a Torsen differential for a Camaro/Firebird directly from GM.
P/N 12471371 Gears 3.23+
P/N 12471372 Gears 3.08-
I'd imagine that it'd probably withstand duty in a light-duty truck (1500) that didn't do a whole lot of pulling, but a lot of people-hauling. They both use the same Corporate 10-bolt axle, although the output shafts use different spline numbers. GM only supplies the 28-spline version, in a 7.6-inch gear carrier version.
Reider Racing, In Taylor, MI carries both the 28-spline and the 30-spline version.
http://www.reiderracing.com
Apparently the Torsen company only builds these differentials for the 10-bolt axles. They do list a part for the 8.5-inch ring gear axles used in trucks. I've not yet found anyone who carries it for the 12-bolt axles.
http://www.torsen.com
They ain't cheap, either.
Apparently they're favored in AWD systems, or when RWD/FWD systems are not going to be encountering situations where there will be zero-traction on one (or more) drive wheel(s), such as would be the case in serious rock-hopping. Much noise is made on the net about how Audi uses them as center differentials in the Quattro cars. They're quite highly praised in track cars and weekend-racer vehicles that still have to see commuter duty during the week. I wouldn't mind having one myself. :-)
There are some fairly good white papers available on the net. Do a google search on "gleason torsen differential" and you'll find about five pages of hits that are surprisingly relevant.
-blaine