OK, I searched "spool" in both the LSX and Drivetrain forums and read almost all of the 5 pages of results. I wanted a little more specific input on this subject as I'll need a new rear end soon and I'm cheap. The spool for the Strange 12 bolt is $385 cheaper, and it's lighter.

Does anyone who has a spool drive it on the street? How about anyone who has been in/driven a car with this? Is it really that crappy? I'm used to having LT's/ORY/TSP rumbler and don't care about having a civilized car. I do drive it around town, and am really leaning toward the spool at this point, but if this is DANGEROUS then obviously I will not get it.

My car does not have the mods to need a spool, but need is such a relative word isn't it? Thanks in advance for any advice on this issue, and anyone in the Central Florida area who has a spool, I'll buy beers if I can check out the driveability of your car!

 

From what I've gathered, it sucks around turns, and is dangerous in the rain.

 

the spool would be great if all you did was go straight, or strictly offroading. when you install a spool you are connecting the axles in the housing so that they are both turning the same speed at the same time, neither side will slow to allow for turns. i wouold be suprised if you made it around the block without snapping one of your axles
look around on ebay, you can usually find a factory posi rear end set up for under $500
benny
___________________
1986 z28 WORK IN PROGRESS
450 HP 383 STROKER, BUILT T5, EATON LOCKER, 3:73'S
ALL NEW SUSPENSION, LOWERED 1" ALL AROUND.........
LOOKING FOR LOW 11'S W/O NOS AND USE AS AN OCCASIONAL DAILY DRIVER..????

 

have been driving around on a spool now for about a year. never broke an axle. its a little harsh trying to take a turn but just take them slower and wider when possible. there is another guy in my town that runs a spool and he also drives his around everyday. his is a 12 bolt and mine is a 9 inch but that really doesnt matter. i have driven the spool in the rain plenty of times and you just have to be careful around turns. i have never had any problems other than it will make you go through tires like crazy. well a little faster anyway. i would definintly not run any type of drag radial on the street with a spool because it would really tear up a soft tire in no time. but for the price difference i would by the spool and use the money you saved on something else.

 

I've also had a spool for almost a year now in my 9inch. I DO run nitto's on my car. On street tires it wasn't that bad, but on nittos its much worse. I am going to remove the spool later this year because I do drive mine in town also and it is harder and some times unpleasant. When the streets are wet or have alittle sand/gravle on them the front end wants to push, not too much fun.

I too went with a spool to save money. Now I have to pay for a spool and a posi, and to set the rear up twice. If I would have just spent the extra money the first time it would have cost less in the end.

The spool is great at the track and when racing, but so is a good posi setup. If I were to do it again I would have went non-spool the first time.

 

Very few people like a spool on the street. I would never have one for a street car, but it depends on your priorities and how you use the car. If it is an occasional cruiser that goes out for a few miles on nice days, it's one thing. If you actually use it to go places, stay clear of a spool, IMHO.

Rich

 

dont punk out man get a spool.

 

Awesome guys thanks for all the advice. While I definitely appreciate the opinions of Rich and others, the attitude I take with my car usually tends to follow that last comment. My friend bought a catback, then a loudmouth catback, then finally got LT's and ORY. I just said f it and got the whole thing less than 6 months after buying my car. Hearing that there are other guys out there driving around on a spool on the street makes me want to go for it. If I wanted to keep great reliability, good tire life, and nice calm street manners I would have kept my civic and not gotten an F body. Thanks everybody.