I have a 71 chevelle, non SS, it has a 2.73 open rearend. Don't know what spline or if its a 8.5 or 8.2 or whatever. My question is it ok to just go with a spool for positraction or should i go with a limited slip? Im wanting to go w a 3.55 or maybe 3.73 i just dont know exactly how to go about doing that and if a spool is the way to go or a limited slip. Im just running a 350 with a th350 tranny and 2200 to 2400 stall, for now. Its an everyday driver.:o

if it,s going to be driven every day don't put a spool in it tight turns won't be any fun it's hard on the rearend it's self, go with an eaton or some type of limited slip you wont be sorry

Don't run a spool on the street. They are trouble. A spool of any kind is for racing only. I recommend the Eaton Posi for street/strip use. It's a little more expensive than some of the others, but well worth it.

Like the others have said, stay away from a spool on the street.

Alright. Thanks guys. Was tryin to go the cheap way out on posi, but i don't want any more problems than i already have! Ive always heard eaton is the way to go...

look into a quick lock they are very nice peice put one in a ford 8.8 and one in a 10 bolt work great and very easy to install.

Spool is ok on the street, just not good for a daily driver, And honestly at you power level there is no reason to go with a spool, and there is never a reason to go with a mini spool. Go with a limited slip, or find a 3 series open carrier for free or next to nothing and do a Lock-Rite locker.

Spool is ok on the street, just not good for a daily driver, And honestly at you power level there is no reason to go with a spool, and there is never a reason to go with a mini spool. Go with a limited slip, or find a 3 series open carrier for free or next to nothing and do a Lock-Rite locker.

A spool on the street is not a good idea regardless of power levels:noway::noway::noway:

A spool in a race car is a PIA but in some cases a necessary evil.

What is a lock right locker? Where do i find that at?

Look in the Richmond gear website for the Lock-Right - I use them and they are a great compromise for cost, effectiveness and driveability. They do make some clicking noises in turns which you need to get used to. National Gear sells them direct to the public.

Ok thanks guys.

I was stuck in the same boat...had an open 8.2 10 bolt with 3.08s. I knew eventually a 12 bolt would have to be swapped in so I didn't want to invest into building up a 8.2 bolt. I bought a richmond Loc-Right locker as a compromise and was very, very happy with it. Very easy to install, it was my first time so it took me about 2.5hours but honestly could do it in an hour now. you save yourself money by not having to touch the ring and pinion settings so no speciality tools and not paying someone else to install. as mentioned before it did make slight clicking sounds at parking lot type speeds. I finally upgraded to a new 12 bolt with 4.11 and a nos gm posi. Also, it is likely your chevelle has the more common 8.2 10 bolt which isn't known for its durability. the Loc-Right locker replaces the spider gear assembly which adds some much needed strenght. my 8.2 lived behind a mild 396bb with the Loc-Right with absolutely no problems.

It sounds like Tyler is looking to swap rear gears (2.73 --> 3.55 or 3.73) as well as pick up a limited slip of some sort for a car that will be mostly street driven. Lock-right is ~$400, Eaton is ~$560. Since he's going to have to pull the carrier and have the backlash set up etc, I really don't think the $160 is worth it -- just go with the Eaton...

In my mind at least, the big benefit of the Lock-right is that you can install it in your existing open diff without pulling the carrier, etc. and save some cash. Less $$ saved if you're going to change gears anyway...

Also -- if you've got the stock (71 chevelle) rear, then I believe it should be a 8.2" chevy rear w/ 28-spline axles.

I personally like the True-Trac gear-type diff for the street, but as far as I know, they don't make one for the 8.2".

A spool on the street is not a good idea regardless of power levels:noway::noway::noway:
A spool in a race car is a PIA but in some cases a necessary evil.

Well i guess you've never tried to put a considerable amount of power to the ground with a small radial. I don't consider a spool a neccesary evil, I consider it a safety item.

A spool is never save on the street. If you had seen the broken parts that I have seen then you would understand why. I've seen axles with all of the studs broke off, axles that are broke in half and other parts failures due to spools being used on the street. If you are driving down the road and the wheel breaks off and you cross over into the other lane and hit another car head on you could kill several people who also never tried to put a considerable amount of power to the ground with a small radial.

aif you are driving down the road and the wheel breaks off and you cross over into the other lane and hit another car head on you could kill several people who also never tried to put a considerable amount of power to the ground with a small radial.


l:) :D

Well i guess you've never tried to put a considerable amount of power to the ground with a small radial. I don't consider a spool a neccesary evil, I consider it a safety item.

Well I've never been in a situation of not having enough tire under my car. A good Eaton posi setup tight is all I need for the street, a spool for all out drag racing, it's still a PITA turning, loading, unloading etc.:yes::yes::yes:

If you just want to do this to break parts, weld up the spider gears like the did in the old days, lo buck spool the will fail for sure:thumbsup::thumbsup:

A spool is never save on the street. If you had seen the broken parts that I have seen then you would understand why. I've seen axles with all of the studs broke off, axles that are broke in half and other parts failures due to spools being used on the street. If you are driving down the road and the wheel breaks off and you cross over into the other lane and hit another car head on you could kill several people who also never tried to put a considerable amount of power to the ground with a small radial.


I've seen plenty of ford vans break axles, I've seen Mopars sheer studs, while working in dodge/jeep dealers saw many a dodge product break pinion yokes and spit the drive shaft out, all were non performance vehicles. meanwhile I've never had a part failure due to a spool, maybe i'm doing something right? I've been associated with alot of cars driving alot of miles on the street with spools we haven't hurt anyone yet.

Well I've never been in a situation of not having enough tire under my car. A good Eaton posi setup tight is all I need for the street, a spool for all out drag racing, it's still a PITA turning, loading, unloading etc.:yes::yes::yes:

Class i'm running with my street car is limited to a 275 drag radial. Cars in the class are running 8.30's to 8.80's... My cage is legal to 8.50 so i plan on being setup for a high 8.40 and cutting lights to try and go rounds.



If you just want to do this to break parts, weld up the spider gears like the did in the old days, lo buck spool the will fail for sure:thumbsup::thumbsup:

I'm not doing anything just to break parts, thats why the car has a spool. I'll keep you posted on all spool related breakage and deaths.

The eaton does sound like a good choice, ill probably go with one of those units. Im not runnin that much power i dont think to break either one but u never know!

Weld your spider gears and run it around the block.If you like the way it hops,skips and jumps,buy a spool.If you dont,buy an Eaton