diff options - AE85 / 86

[rollaholic]

so, my 85.6 has an LSD in it, but its starting to get a bit clunky / noisy. whats everyones opinions on best options? the way i see it i can -

A - rebuild existing diff
B - replace with aftermarket, TRD / cusco
C - get a hilux setup.

replacing it with another second hand 86 item seems like asking for trouble, particularly since they seem to be worth nearly as much as the TRD ones on trademe lately.

the cars just got a bluetop in it at the moment, while i piece together a smallport. future plans include forced induction, possibly with a 7A block but thats realistically 18 - 24 months away. i also want it to be a car that i can take to a few track days here and there, so reliabilty is a must.

that being said, i'd like to take the "do it once, do it right" option since funds are far from endless. something that could handle 300hp would be ideal, i doubt i'll ever make that much but then again i've seen the power bug bite many times before

my preference is for a bolt in option, TRD or cusco i guess, since the car is currently my daily driver. are hilux diffs really the way to go for decent power? it certainly seems to be the most expensive option.

thoughts?

[Zak]

Just go hilux and never look back

But make sure you put a decent lsd in it at some stage.

Put the diff you have now on trademe and that will pay for most of the conversion.

[rollaholic]

i didnt think a hilux swap would be worth doing without an LSD - or do you mean an aftermarket one? do they make em for hiluxs?

[2LTR Rona]

Go TRD....assume this is a straight swap. Its simple, effective & no pissing around re fabricating bits n pieces like you would have to with a Hilux diff.

Hilux diff is over kill for your application plus you will have added weight that you dont really want, plus as stated by Revhead a few times hilux diffs are crap come track application time

[rollaholic]

is the TRD going to stand up to a higher power engine in 18 months time though?

though i guess ae86 parts hold their value pretty well, i could always sell it to help upgrade to something beefier.

[2LTR Rona]

I would say so...revhead could confirm that though

assume you are using a T50 behind your current setup at the moment? If so then I would be replacing that when looking for more HP too otherwise you'll be rebuilding / replacing quite often if you are aiming for that HP

[Zak]

No matter what you do to a T series diff there will all ways be a weak link, the C&P gears aren't very strong, same with the axles.

You'll need to get a hilux lsd modified or go aftermarket, but while it's n/a just stay with the standard one.

Sure it's a bit heavier, but you wont be replacing any more parts.

Even more so if you plan to do any drifting.

[Mr Revhead]

first question.... whats the use of the car?
the real use... not dreams

i would say in order of preference, going by me assuming this will be and remain a road car

1: rebuild stock diff

2: fit TRD or other good brand

10: hilux diff

[2LTR Rona]

Revhead......why Hilux diffs not ALWAYS the answer for race / drift application.....I know I have seen it before but cant remember what it was.

cheers in advance

[rollaholic]

i dont have the budget for dreams

the real use is my daily driver at the moment

once i have it a bit more sorted out i want to attend a few track days, but yes i want it to remain road registered / driven.

after i come back from my south america jaunt at the end of the year i want to start work on a turbo build - im a mechanic so i think its within my budget

i'm still leaning towards the aftermarket replacement option, how much power can they really handle though?

i know the gearbox will need to be upgraded too, actually that was another question - is it worth hanging onto the T50 or should i just bite the bullet and get a W series?

[Zak]

Revhead......why Hilux diffs not ALWAYS the answer for race / drift application.....I know I have seen it before but cant remember what it was.

cheers in advance

The standard lsd's don't have lock up ramps, so they can spin up the inside wheel around corners if you have enough power. On the street you wouldn't even notice it, unless your trying to drift...

[l1ttle_d3vil]

The standard lsd's don't have lock up ramps, so they can spin up the inside wheel around corners if you have enough power. On the street you wouldn't even notice it, unless your trying to drift...

if you get them reshimmed aren't they alot better?

[rollaholic]

theres an interesting wee thread about that thats active at the moment little devil, its called hilux vs TRD diff or something.

[Zak]

if you get them reshimmed aren't they alot better?

A bit, but it just changes the load on the clutch packs, it will still spin with enough grip and power. It will also act like a locker untill it has enough load on each side.

The lock up ramps are like variable shims, when there is low load on the diff, it will act open more or less. When load is put on the diff it will compress the clutch packs up, effectivly locking the diff.