Understanding the Traction-LOK Diff

[stanger1]

Very interesting info.
After reading about the Torsen diff, it makes me wonder why Ford used them on the 2013-14 GT500's.
I had a 2013 GT500 and the car seemed to hook well, when the surface of the road was not too rough.
More of a problem with the solid axel probably than the Torsen diff.

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[TeeLew]

Very interesting info.
After reading about the Torsen diff, it makes me wonder why Ford used them on the 2013-14 GT500's.
I had a 2013 GT500 and the car seemed to hook well, when the surface of the road was not too rough.
More of a problem with the solid axel probably than the Torsen diff.

Let me give a defense of the torsen, because for a mostly street application, they're one of the better options.

• Torsens provide enough of a bias ratio to significantly increase drive traction without hurting low speed driving characteristics.
• Torsens are a usually heavier than a ramp/clutch differential, but they're much longer lasting and rarely, if ever, need servicing.
• By not providing a significant amount of coast locking or preload, the are a more forgiving differential to drive. A diff with significant coast lock and/or preload will want a more aggressive front loading on turn-in. This diff will be much more benign and forgiving in it's driving requirements.
• The lack of tuning options is inconsequential, because most customers will have no interest in touching the thing. Even the ones who might be prone to modifications will see this option as much better than the previous LSD, the Traction-Lok.
• This is a no-brainer, drop-in option that will get even the most competitive drivers 80-90% of what they want at a fraction of the price of more sophisticated options.

As far as whatever issue you've had with the older, live axle car on rough pavement, that's going to be largely a product of the live axle and much less so that of the differential. Live axles can do a pretty good job on a smooth surface, but they'll always struggle to match an independent when the road turns rougher.