Spool streetability?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 947
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From: Middletown N.Y.
Spool streetability?
Anyone out there have a spool in a street car? How drivable is it? I'm considering installing a spool in my D44 which I know will make it much stronger, but how drivable is it? Highway turns?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 1,144
Likes: 18
From: Panhandle FL
It's bad news !! Highway turns are no problem, but the around town will kill you. Imagine every turn from a stop sign or redlight, your outside tire hops and squeals all the way around the corner. It's not very easy on the tires either. My Dad had a spool in his '29 roadster, it drove him crazy so we pulled it. 
Advanced
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Rochester NY
It is probably as streetable as a Top Fuel Dragster...LOL
If you really want a spool I would look into something like an air locker so you can have the full locked up differential when you need it but open for just cruising around.
If you really want a spool I would look into something like an air locker so you can have the full locked up differential when you need it but open for just cruising around.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Originally Posted by JUAN J SANCHEZ
Anyone out there have a spool in a street car? How drivable is it? I'm considering installing a spool in my D44 which I know will make it much stronger, but how drivable is it? Highway turns?
I think the reason its less noticable in the vette, are the low profile tire.
In my DAds chevelle it chirps around the corners, where iin the vette, I have yet to hear anything. Only in gravel is it real noticable. Or in parking lots with small cinders on them, you can hear them under the wheels grinding.
For me it was one of the best things to do to strengthen the drivetrain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Spool and the street
If it is going ot be a driver I would say don't do it. If you are into straight line performance with some limited street cruising it is a possibility. I have two very large tire cars and they are more forgiving with a spool than a small tire car would be. The key to a big tire car is the soft sidewalls and lower tire pressure. If you have a small tire and some tire pressure you are going to be all over the place and the constant wheel/tire chatter will drive you nuts.
Former Vendor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,204
Likes: 6
From: St Marys PA
Originally Posted by NitrousSam
If it is going ot be a driver I would say don't do it. If you are into straight line performance with some limited street cruising it is a possibility. I have two very large tire cars and they are more forgiving with a spool than a small tire car would be. The key to a big tire car is the soft sidewalls and lower tire pressure. If you have a small tire and some tire pressure you are going to be all over the place and the constant wheel/tire chatter will drive you nuts.
I do agree thou that if you plan on a lot of street driving its probably not a good idea, and probably is overkill, since if you have TONs of power to need a spool, then you most likely will melt the tires off long before they ever grab enough to warrant the need for a strong rear. With slicks on and lots of power - highly recommended.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
I think a spool during wet weather will be downright dangerous. It should be a race only equipment. The next time you are at a dragstrip, try pushing a car around a turn (like into the spot it is parked in the pits)that has a spool. That will give you an idea of the stress you are putting on the tires and drivetrain.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
Originally Posted by ski_dwn_it
I have one in my D44 and can't even tell its in there. In VERY tight turns in parking lots is about the one time its noticable.
I think the reason its less noticable in the vette, are the low profile tire.
In my DAds chevelle it chirps around the corners, where iin the vette, I have yet to hear anything. Only in gravel is it real noticable. Or in parking lots with small cinders on them, you can hear them under the wheels grinding.
For me it was one of the best things to do to strengthen the drivetrain.
I think the reason its less noticable in the vette, are the low profile tire.
In my DAds chevelle it chirps around the corners, where iin the vette, I have yet to hear anything. Only in gravel is it real noticable. Or in parking lots with small cinders on them, you can hear them under the wheels grinding.
For me it was one of the best things to do to strengthen the drivetrain.
I have to agree with Ski, a spool in a Vette really isn't that bad. If you drive your car alot, it's probably not the best way to go. But if it's a hot rod that's not driven alot, it's not that bad. I think it also helps that there isn't alot of weight on the back of our cars compared to others out there.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 869
Likes: 1
From: Bradford Pa
since we're on the subject of spools here, does anyone know of one that would fit a 36? or if the 36 is even worth saving and should i just get ready for a D44 if the car hooks...
this is for my 84 that is awaiting a BBC...it will be backed by a mad dog BD 700R4 with a 3000ish stall...stage "2.5" shift kit...
this is for my 84 that is awaiting a BBC...it will be backed by a mad dog BD 700R4 with a 3000ish stall...stage "2.5" shift kit...
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,952
Likes: 2
From: Little Rock Arkansas
A D35 piece from a Jeep "might" be modified to fit...That's what I'm having to do to the D44 spools right now; they don't fit the Vette's 44 until they're machined.
If you're putting a big block in their, particularly behind the steep 1st gear of a 700R4, then I would highly suggest a D44 unless you never plan on running slicks. The D36 isn't as week as people think (look at Mike's 10.2 pass) but they're not meant for big torque and sticky tires.
-Jeb
If you're putting a big block in their, particularly behind the steep 1st gear of a 700R4, then I would highly suggest a D44 unless you never plan on running slicks. The D36 isn't as week as people think (look at Mike's 10.2 pass) but they're not meant for big torque and sticky tires.
-Jeb