C3 Aluminum Differential
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,417
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
C3 Aluminum Differential
Toms Differential finally just updated their on-line catalog. For years they've been saying they're going to offer an aluminum version of the C2/C3 differential. The claim is still there but they say it will be offered this year. Start saving up those loose coins so you'll have enough money accumulated when they finally come out!
The complete stock differential and cover weighs about 95 pounds. A good bit of the weight is the steel posi carrier, ring and pinion, and side yokes. So I wonder how much less the aluminum version will be? Figure aluminum as about 1/2 weight of iron. How much does the iron stock case and cover weight? Maybe 50 pounds? If so this would be about 25 pound weight savings, maybe a little less savings since for a aluminum diff you probably have to add extra thick walls for strength.
The complete stock differential and cover weighs about 95 pounds. A good bit of the weight is the steel posi carrier, ring and pinion, and side yokes. So I wonder how much less the aluminum version will be? Figure aluminum as about 1/2 weight of iron. How much does the iron stock case and cover weight? Maybe 50 pounds? If so this would be about 25 pound weight savings, maybe a little less savings since for a aluminum diff you probably have to add extra thick walls for strength.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 40,417
Likes: 792
From: Redondo Beach, California
I had the impression it was their own design. I think in a long ago posting, someone said they were then having trouble with the software code for the computerized milling machine. I could be wrong. I'm sure they're marketing their diff to performance people, and the stock 80's differential cases weren't strong enough for performance use. Perhaps it's a modified 80's design, modified for more strength. They also advertise having an aluminum rear axle/wheel bearing carrier due out this year.
