I found a wrecked SS that I can get a torsen diff out of fairly cheap. I am buying a 98 WS6 and I believe that has an auburn type in it - I've heard torsens are better for road race type applications. This is going to be mostly a daily driver with occasional trips to the dragstrip. I'm just curious if it's even worth swapping out.

 

If someone says its not worth it can you grab it and sell it to me? My posi is junk and I need to replace it. hehe

 

The auburn diff was considered an upgrade from SLP, but whether it was more suited for the drag strip or the RR track I do not know. Figuring that the SS and the Firehawk were made with handling in mind I would guess they would be better for road racing but I do not know for sure

EDIT: BTW, it was considered and option in my SLP manual for 2001. I know some of the older cars came with auburns stock and they consider the Zex-Tors and upgrade. Still, I figured they still offered it because it may be better suited for RR applications.

 

What is the diff between the differential I have in my 1995 Z28, the torsen and the Auburn. Please be specific cause I need to replace mine cause its slipping.

 

I think most road race guys use this diff http://www.globalwest.net/torsen_tra...fferential.htm

 

One thing about Global West, they are really good at giving you the info on what their parts do.

 

Auburn=POS..dumpster fill
Torsen=road race and smoothness.. limited drag racing
Eaton=drag race and shock loads.. plenty road race with it too

 

Thanks, but what do I have in my 1995 Z28.

 

You have the Auburn in your 95 if it hasn't been changed out.

BTW, the Torsen is a gear locking differential whereas the Auburn cone is a true clutch type positraction (gm trade name). And as for better, the Auburn is a very good unit when it is fresh and working properly. Its subtract is that the friction material, like any clutch life is subject to how it is used. An Auburn will wear down but a Torsen either works or it is broken. It doesn't have a "wearing out" stage.

A Torsen is considered a stronger unit but it's draw back is when you completely lose traction on one wheel, the other will no longer engage. This would seem like an impossible situation but all it takes is a slight amount of braking and all engagement comes back. On a total ice condition, using the hand brake brings the torsen to life. The Auburn doesn't work this way.

 

I would think an Auburn if it hasn't been changed. The factory didn't use Torsens untill '98.

Here's some info on the Auburn.
http://auburngear.com/
Auburn gear will rebuild it when it wears out

 

Auburns dont have any clutches! They have cones that have metal to metal contact. The metal is the friction material. Thay typically wear out fast and when they DO go bad or start to wear they like to take the gears and bearings with them(metal to metal). Buy the toresn and trash the auburn.
The torsen is NOT a locking diff. Its a torque bias unit.

 

I'll bow out on this as my terminology is apparently lacking. To me the cones are simply cone shaped clutches and I didn't say anything about the friction material. As for the torsen being named a torque bias unit, I can see that's how they describe their product on their website. My intention was to describe the means by which torque is applied to opposing axles and it was my mistake to use such a term as "locking" but as far as I can tell, torque bias is achieved through gears rather than "cones".

Thanks for the corrections.

 

Thanks for the reply,
It is the original equipment.
My diff is starting to slip, I can turn one wheel over by hand but it still takes some force. I think I should not be able to do this.
Where do I get the rebuild kit for the Auburn diff in my 1995 Z28.

 

You can't rebuild the Auburn but they have a program where you can exchange your old unit for a new one:

http://www.auburngear.com/aftermarket/drex/

As for testing your Auburn to determine if it is within service limits:

http://www.auburngear.com/aftermarket/faq/#q2

Look at #8 for torque specs.

Good luck.

 

"In order to qualify, the unit must have been purchased within the last 4 years."

I'm thinking this means you can't just send them the stock one. Would be a good idea though.