[Supras] TRD differential use??

[Joel Watkinson (Cars)]

If I am wrong, someone please correct me.

The TRD diff is a Torsen T1 style all-gear unit. The oil weight used
determines the torque split. I believe it is 3:1 with 10W30. So, no, it
does not need special LSD fluid either. That's another plus in my book!
Anyway, the main difference in the units is the length of output shaft.
However, I have located a shop in the US that will modify stock US
shafts to mate with these. The original shafts are hard to find and very
expensive. A differential with the shafts will run about $600 and will
need to be installed in your housing with your gears. Of course, the
other way to go about it is to get a whole spare unit and have the
Torsen diff installed in that unit so you can simply swap the whole
"pumpkin". Just the original shafts alone usually go for $300-$350
because there were a lot of units sold without the shafts when they were
unavailable.

I've heard some people claim that these units fail under heavy power and
load, but the most recent example was a MkIII making over 500hp at the
wheels running 20psi on a large turbo launched at a drag strip with 10"
slicks at 5500RPM! What rear end besides a 9" or bigger drag-specific
won't break under that load on a 3500+lb car?

The other option is to use a clutch style diff that single-tracks. I'm
sure there are people there that swear by clutch-pack diffs, but,
personally, I don't plan to make so much power that this unit cannot
handle it. I know for sure I am tired up clutch-pack style diffs. The
one on the Supra drove me nuts when it decided to spin one wheel and not
the other. My 2000 Mustang does the same thing. A buddy of mine with a
2003 Cobra also has the same problem. Especially when transitioning out
of a turn and applying power, it will get one wheel spinning and take
forever to recover and balance them back out when powering down the next
straight continuing to spin that one tire. 

Anyway, all I know is I eagerly await getting mine installed on my own
car and am willing to help anyone else out with the knowledge I've
gained to get one installed on their car.

Joel
'87 T 

> -----Original Message-----
> From: supras-bounces at supras.com 
> [mailto:supras-bounces at supras.com] On Behalf Of Brian Walker
> Sent: Monday, January 22, 2007 2:02 PM
> To: supras list
> Subject: [Supras] TRD differential use??
> 
> Is anyone on the list using the TRD differential? Could 
> anyone explain the type of diff. this is vs. a std LSD? 
> 
> What is necessary to use this differential in the stock 
> housing? I'm assuming gears are not included and a set from 
> another LSD/open diff.
> could be used?
> 
>  
> 
> I've read/been told that the T1R diff's are the way to go 
> from a racing perspective, just wanted to get some insight on 
> the TRD and if it was similar. The mk4 crowd seems to like 
> this unit but I haven't heard of
> mk3 usage in the past.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Brian
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
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