Wavetrac Differential Technical Info for GT

[beefcake]

In stock guys
http://teambeefcakeracing.com/56-309-165wk.html

This is a great unit guys, and for the racers that don't come with a torsen or brake a diff, very nice upgrade.

With seeing a couple guys go through these recently, Wavetrac has stepped up to the plate to offer an alternative to the factory differential.

Wavetrac Ford 8.8" torsional differential fits the 2015 Mustang GT and Ecoboost models. This is the only torsional differential manufactured that works in No or Near No-Load conditions. All Wavetrac differentials include a transferable, Limited Lifetime Warranty. Wavetrac only recommends the following aftermarket fluid: 75W90 Motul Gear 300 (100118) or 75W140 Motul Gear Competition (101161).

Application: 2015 Mustang GT/V6/Ecoboost

The Wavetrac is the only differential that can automatically add more load internally when it’s required. In the case where both wheels are on the ground during zero axle load, such as during a transition to deceleration, the Wavetrac device is able to prepare the drivetrain for when the zero torque condition stops, eliminating the delay seen with ordinary gear diffs. What this means for you as a driver is that power is delivered to the gripping wheels for more time and in a more constant manner making you faster and improving stability. The Wavetrac truly is different - and its innovative features can make a real difference in your car’s performance.

• Innovative:
Patented Wavetrac® design automatically improves grip in low traction conditions. This feature is truly innovative and unlike any other torque biasing diff design.

• Superior Materials:
9310 steel gears run in case-hardened billet or forged steel bodies. ARP® fasteners used throughout.

• Maintenance Free:
As supplied new, the Wavetrac® differential will perform a lifetime of service without maintenance or rebuilds.

• Customizable:
If desired, you can alter the diff’s behavior to suit your needs using optional components.

• Limited LIFETIME Warranty:
All Wavetrac® differentials include a transferable, Limited Lifetime Warranty.

some additional info
* unlike other gear driven diffs, when unloading a wheel, only the Wavetrac will still put power to the other wheel
*lifetime warranty (even transferrable), made in USA
*works on acceleration and deceleration (most if not all other gear driven diffs only operate on acceleration)
*non-intrusive, won’t be ‘fighting the steering wheel’ in low speeds/tight turns compared to a spool/clutch type diffs
*maintenance free, no parts to replace or oil to constantly change
*super durable (beefed up gear/housing interface, billet steel housings, 9310 alloy steel internal gears)
*direct replacement for factory diff
* ARP fasteners
*constantly biases power to drive wheels seamlessly in between acceleration and deceleration, and with no delay
*smaller gear package to reduce mass, yet higher tooth strength to increase durability
*innovative wave design of preload hubs/gear interface means will work in zero load or near-zero load conditions (unlike Torsen or other gear driven diffs)
*works with existing traction control/ABS electronic systems seamlessly

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[beefcake]

in stock guys and gals!

 

[evo8904]

I'll be ordering this from you if I break another PP torsen.

 

[beefcake]

I'll be ordering this from you if I break another PP torsen.

already broke a pp pack one, for sure, hit me up

 

[evo8904]

already broke a pp pack one, for sure, hit me up

Lol, I broke it last July only launching at 3500. It really sucked having to buy another ford torsen since there were no other options. I'm confident that it will break again lol. I'll hit you up when it does.

 

[gsxr1300]

anyone install one of these yet?

 

[beefcake]

couple guys have and we got a few more we sent out recently

i know sheldon on here has, he had a 3.15 auto car, and then one other guy with a pp car, said diff was much quieter than his pp pack diff

 

[EXP Jawa]

Lol, I broke it last July only launching at 3500. It really sucked having to buy another ford torsen since there were no other options. I'm confident that it will break again lol. I'll hit you up when it does.

I'm curious about what broke, since no one I've spoken to at Ford or Ford Racing seems to know anything about PP diffs breaking in the field.

 

[evo8904]

I'm curious about what broke, since no one I've spoken to at Ford or Ford Racing seems to know anything about PP diffs breaking in the field.

Ford and Ford Racing is pretty much worthless and would never admit to something like that. I couldn't tell you all that was destroyed on the diff, it was carnage. I suspect the deflection was the main cause. When it happened I didn't have any aftermarket parts to get rid of wheel hop/deflection. It was only a 3500 rpm launch lol. But it also bent my Ford Racing half shaft. Those are supposed to have a lifetime warranty I believe. Yet, it took Ford Racing 3 months and multiple phone calls from me and my tuner to get them to do anything. Tom at Ford Racing is a complete moron. It wasn't until I took the issue to social media that they warrantied the half shaft. I actually had the half shaft within 4 days of posting on FB.

 

[EXP Jawa]

Was it the differential casing breaking, did the ring gear flange come off, or was it internal gearing? Or do you mean the third member assembly as a whole broke? Ford Racing aside (my contact is on the product development side of things and had heard nothing about breakage), usually when things that go bad like that, the dealer winds up shipping it back to Ford Transmission & Driveline Engineering for inspection/teardown. Especially when catastrophic. That's something I would've heard about. Of course, if the dealer didn't repair it under warranty, they might not have bothered.

 

[gsxr1300]

Rick can you explain the difference between the Wavetrac and stock torsen?

 

[evo8904]

Was it the differential casing breaking, did the ring gear flange come off, or was it internal gearing? Or do you mean the third member assembly as a whole broke? Ford Racing aside (my contact is on the product development side of things and had heard nothing about breakage), usually when things that go bad like that, the dealer winds up shipping it back to Ford Transmission & Driveline Engineering for inspection/teardown. Especially when catastrophic. That's something I would've heard about. Of course, if the dealer didn't repair it under warranty, they might not have bothered.

Ring gear flange and internal gearing. I didn't go through a dealer for it. I had a supercharger and figured that I it was my problem. I'm use to paying to play. But, since the Ford Racing half shaft had a lifetime warranty, I sent that in lol.

 

[EXP Jawa]

Rick can you explain the difference between the Wavetrac and stock torsen?

Only in general terms, as I have never had a Wavetrac in my hands to study it closely. On a very basic, fundamental level, they are both the same class of product - a parallel-axis, helical-gear differential. Beyond that, there are a lot noticeable and more subtle differences.

The biggest is that Wavetrac adds the mechanism to the center that is intended to provide some lockup when one tire is completely unloaded. I can't attest to its effectiveness, though I have no doubt that Wavetrac will tell you it works well. It at least looks clever. I'm not sure how it comes into play when both outputs are loaded, especially when transitioning between operating modes, or what it does when supporting side gear thrust-in loads. If it does what it is supposed to do, then it is a neat trick indeed.

Once past that, the most significant difference is the layout of the actual gear package. Wavetrac's design appears to mesh the element gear pairs together in the center, and each meshes with a side gear on the outboard ends. This is similar to Quaife, GKN, etc. A Torsen T-2 rearranges that somewhat, giving the element gears two or three mesh transfers, with the side gear mesh in the middle. This is done to balance the tipping load on the gear, which in turn reduces the PV loading on the gear bore in the differential housing. It reduces that load enough that housing no longer needs to be made of steel to withstand the load. Instead, ductile iron is perfectly reasonable. The tradeoff is somewhat less overall friction, and lower locking effect. Torsen can make up the friction elsewhere, however, and is very tunable for locking effect. The other drawback to the Torsen arrangement is that it requires more axial space to package. Fortunately, the Super 8.8 has axial length in spades.

If we look at the gearing itself, it is a matter of gear geometry, material, face width and number of element gears in the system that determine locking performance and strength. I know that the Torsen is tuned to exactly what performance characteristics that Ford vehicle dynamics wanted (the PP diff is tuned for autocross and open track use, whereas the GT350 Torsen is strictly tuned for track use). I also know that the differential far exceeds the strength requirements as set down by Ford. Impact testing has typically required multiple axle shafts to finish because the spline shaft snaps off the CV tulip. OTOH, I can't comment at all about Wavetrac's design targets for either criteria; they may well be stronger, but I have no idea what their design bogies were. They do use a more premium alloy for gear steel (9310). Although this adds cost, it does improve overall toughness and is less prone to crack. 9310 is often used in gearing when the torque requirement has outstripped your ability to add mesh length, or the geometry is fixed, but you need more out of it.

Locking performance is more subjective to use and need. If I were guessing, I think that their torque bias ratio (TBR is the metric in which locking effect is quantified) is probably fairly similar in drive mode to the Torsen, but higher in the coast mode (coast mode TBR was kept low on the S550 Torsen to improve turn-in). That is, however, a guess based on general experience with that gear configuration - I will reiterate that I've never had their part in front of me to compare. Perhaps Wavetrac will tell you what their product's TBR values are.

 

[Evilwill]

Hey Beef,

If I get one of these for my 15 auto, will I be able to switch out my 3.15 to the 4.09 when they come out? or will i need a different differential?

 

[beefcake]

as of right now. we know these are good for 3.55s or 3.73s. not 100% on the other gears when they come out.

i have to think higher gear ratios will be more geared toward performance type cars and should fit, whereas the 3.15 appears to be pretty tight on the backlash

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