Posi-traction
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: Posi-traction (VetteGoVroom82)
What year was posi-traction on the C3s, and how exactly does it work?
A positraction unit is basicly the same as an open differential with the added difference of spring and clutch packs. These spring press the spiders against clutches which cause both wheels to spin at the same rate. The clutches only come into play when there is enough torque to overcome their friction.
A better explantation can be found at http://www.howstuffworks.com/differential6.htm
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 925
Likes: 1
From: LT1 and LS5 Coupes... New Orleans, LA
Re: Posi-traction (VetteGoVroom82)
As far as C3's go, only the 1968 and 1969 came standard with a non-posi Open rear end.
These are the only combinations that did not require you to order Posi, although you could if you wanted. Any other engine, tranny or axle ratio required that you order Posi. For 1970 and up, all Corvettes had Posi as standard equipment.
300hp.................3.36.............. 3-spd Manual
300hp.................3.36.............. 4-spd Wide Ratio
350hp.................3.36.............. 4-spd Wide Ratio
350hp.................3.70.............. 4-spd Close Ratio
These are the only combinations that did not require you to order Posi, although you could if you wanted. Any other engine, tranny or axle ratio required that you order Posi. For 1970 and up, all Corvettes had Posi as standard equipment.
300hp.................3.36.............. 3-spd Manual
300hp.................3.36.............. 4-spd Wide Ratio
350hp.................3.36.............. 4-spd Wide Ratio
350hp.................3.70.............. 4-spd Close Ratio
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 3,407
Likes: 2
From: Carmichael CA
Re: Posi-traction (VetteGoVroom82)
What year was posi-traction on the C3s, and how exactly does it work?
-Paul
huskerpaulie@yahoo.com
-Paul
huskerpaulie@yahoo.com
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Posi-traction (Allan71)
Allan71, when you think about it that would be cool in its own way. A 4spd vette with an open rear. That would be more ability to show off chirping gears. I saw a ***tang pull out of a street show one time and he musta squeeled "wheel" for 200feet. No way he had a posi. But it was cool for the show factor.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Pflugerville/ Colllege Station TX
Re: Posi-traction (Jvette73)
Allan71, when you think about it that would be cool in its own way. A 4spd vette with an open rear. That would be more ability to show off chirping gears. I saw a ***tang pull out of a street show one time and he musta squeeled "wheel" for 200feet. No way he had a posi. But it was cool for the show factor.
:cool:
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
Re: Posi-traction (Jester69Stingray)
So, the positraction waits until you let off the gas (or does it just take away power from the rear wheels) and the wheels slow down and then grip the road, and then the posi-traction adds the power back to those wheels? Is that why there's two strips of rubber on the ground behind a 'Vette, rather than one? (One for the 1st spin, the space between the strips of rubber from when either the power was reduced, and the 2nd strip from when the wheels re-grip the road, and the hammer is dropped?) Please let me know if I'm misunderstanding exactly how the posi-traction works. Thanks!
-Paul
-Paul
Pro
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 579
Likes: 0
From: Pflugerville/ Colllege Station TX
Re: Posi-traction (VetteGoVroom82)
Theres two strips because theres one from each tire. You can still smoke the tires with posi but its harder becuse you have to spin both wheels instead of just one. Im not sure exactly how the internals work though. :confused:
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,699
Likes: 1
From: Westampton NJ
Re: Posi-traction (VetteGoVroom82)
The simple definition of what the posi clutching system does:
It transfers power to the wheel with more traction. It is called "limited slip" as opposed to "full locking." The reason for the limited slip definition is that as one wheel starts to slip, the clutching mechanism on that side disengages that side and that disengagement forces the power over to the wheel that still has traction. If that wheel starts to slip due to the increased power, its clutch lets go and the power transfers back and forth in this manner.
This is why you get the two stripes versus the one. Whereas one wheel spins the whole way with an open rear, both wheels are spinning some of the time with the limited slip "posi."
This is also why if you're in the car when I sidestep it at 2500, the car's rear end slides right, then left, then right...hooks up nice and GOES like a bat outta ... (And it makes a nice screeee sound, as you hear both wheels break loose). :smash:
(And both wheels break loose in the 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 upshifts...) :lol:
It transfers power to the wheel with more traction. It is called "limited slip" as opposed to "full locking." The reason for the limited slip definition is that as one wheel starts to slip, the clutching mechanism on that side disengages that side and that disengagement forces the power over to the wheel that still has traction. If that wheel starts to slip due to the increased power, its clutch lets go and the power transfers back and forth in this manner.
This is why you get the two stripes versus the one. Whereas one wheel spins the whole way with an open rear, both wheels are spinning some of the time with the limited slip "posi."
This is also why if you're in the car when I sidestep it at 2500, the car's rear end slides right, then left, then right...hooks up nice and GOES like a bat outta ... (And it makes a nice screeee sound, as you hear both wheels break loose). :smash:
(And both wheels break loose in the 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4 upshifts...) :lol:
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: Posi-traction (Jester69Stingray)
On an open diff the power is delivered evenly to both rear wheels untill the momment that one of the wheels, (usually the right one) breaks loose. At that point, if you continue to deliver power with your foot, all of that power will be delivered to the spinning wheel. On a posi, the side gears in the diff, which are the ones splined onto the axels, are loaded with pressure against one another creating a locking effect of the two axels togeather. This delivers power to both wheels, even if one of them begins to spin. On a good posi, the clutches are tight enough to hold the axels togeatger as one on a straight hard launch, hence two patches, while providing just enough slip to allow the rear wheels to travel at different distances when cornering moderatly.
Limited slip or posi rear cars can be more dangerous in rainy conditions since the back of the car can come around when both rear wheels are spinning. Accelerating too much through a turn in slick conditions will spin you around real quick with a posi. Be careful and know what you have and how it will react.
Limited slip or posi rear cars can be more dangerous in rainy conditions since the back of the car can come around when both rear wheels are spinning. Accelerating too much through a turn in slick conditions will spin you around real quick with a posi. Be careful and know what you have and how it will react.
