Anybody run a mini spool on the street? [Archive] - Team Camaro Tech

: Anybody run a mini spool on the street?


OK69
Jan 20th, 10, 06:08 PM
I just wonder if it works ok. Summit and places like that say not to do it.

SPARKY69
Jan 21st, 10, 03:53 AM
Its kinda old school, not really the best thing for a car on the street..i had a 80 malibu that was all hot rodded up with a mini and a 410 rear .. It was fun but it wasnt an everyday driver!

big gear head
Jan 21st, 10, 04:53 AM
A mini spool or any spool is dangerous on the street. They put a lot of stress on axles, studs and wheels and can cause them to break. I have seen axles, studs and wheels broke from using a spool on the street. The people that I know where lucky and nobody got hurt when it happened.

Moonpie
Jan 21st, 10, 11:05 AM
When you turn corners a spool makes both axles turn at the same rate so you get a lot of wheel hop, skidding,etc. which is where the danger and damage come from. They're cool for racing because obviously you only go straight line. If I had a car that rarely saw street action then I would be tempted to go with a spool.

Steve69SS396
Jan 21st, 10, 11:49 AM
I ran a mini spool in my '67 Mustang for several years in the '80s without any issues. The car had a Ford 9" with factory 28 spline axles and wheel studs.

I've been running a spool in my Camaro for the last 10 years. It has a Ford 9" with 33 spline Moser axles and 7/16" Moroso wheel studs. Again, no breakage. I've run regular radial tires, drag radials, MT ET Streets and Hoosier QT Pro's.

The only time I notice the spool is when making a slow tight turn. You do go through tires much quicker if you drive it very much. My car has no sway bars and is setup for drag racing. I would not use one in a car that you expect to drive fast on winding roads. And let me clarify this last point. I have no problem keeping up with traffic through corners but if you expect to run considerably faster than the speed limit through a corner you will more than likely be in trouble.

That's just my experience.

CrashBox
Jan 21st, 10, 02:48 PM
I had one in a 79 mustang that drove on the street everyday. The car was gutted to a shell and was very light. I ran low 12s high 11s and drove everywhere. Turning the car was smooth you never knew the mini spool was back there. Years later I sold the car and they put that 9 inch rear end and my motor in a full interior show car. After that you couldnt even stand to drive it on the street, it jumped and banged around corners so bad from the extra weight. Also you run the risk of breaking the pin that ties it to the carrier.

z28kid
Jan 21st, 10, 06:36 PM
i dont recommend using the powertrax locker, i wish i would have spent more and got the detroit trutrac. the more miles you put on the powetrax the louder and more "snappy" it gets.

ChrisM
Jan 27th, 10, 09:16 PM
I have a Eaton limited slip unit from Rick's in my 68. It came with huge springs and really locks up both wheels. If they didn't say it was limited slip, I'd think it was a true posi. Does anyone else have experience with this Eaton unit?

Eleanor's Nemesis
Jan 27th, 10, 09:49 PM
I ran a mini spool for a while in a camaro, 12 bolt with moser axles and 4.10 gears...never had any problems. I used BFG radial T/As on the street, it is a harder tire that wonuldn't grab as hard on the street as my Hoosier QTP's .

I never drove it in the rain though, I think that would be inviting some problems.

If you are really concerned you might want to look into a detroit locker. A friend of mine a long time ago put one in his 64 comet....we had always heard they would pop and bang and chatter and stuff when making tight turns, his didn't do that at all.