But how many of you run spools on the street? Now before we get excited let me explain. I don't drive the maverick much anymore. I don't drive the maverick in the rain. I don't drive the maverick on gravel roads. I don't go fast and sideways around corners. When I'm in town, I cruise around and look and let people look. When I hammer on it, it's in a straight line. I have less than 350 horsepower, probably over 300, but surely less than 350. But even though the car is running like crap, having one 275/60/15 trying to propel the car just ain't doing it. I want to swap to either 3.80 or 4.11 gears and add a spool. I know that this is not the optimum setup, but I plan to upgrade to either a 9 inch with a locker or an 8.8 with rear discs later on in the game. I am just trying to get this thing to it's full present potential. Anyway, let me know if you run a spool on the street, how long you've had it, if you've broken anything- in other words, what do you think about it? Thanks! Preston
No problems so far. I do not know of anyone who has broken an axle using their spool on the street and there are many of us here who do (we all have aftermarket axles, however). I hear that a stock axle may fatigue over time expecially if using slicks, ET Streets or a similar "sticky" tire.
Well this is making me feel better and better. Nope, I don't have stickies at the moment, just running 275/60/15 MasterCraft Avengers. Nice deep tread and wide surface. I think with good gears and a spool, that they will suit me and my weak-to-mild motor just fine. (Or better than the one-legged-dog approach I have now) While we're on the subject, which would y'all recommend? The 3.80 or 4.11? For fun you know........ Thanks again!! Preston
There are several factors to consider including engine combination, transmission specifics and tire diameter. IOW, the more detail you can provide on your the more appropriate the responses will be.
302 40 over flat top aluminum pistons 448 intake/472 exhaust 268 duration cam heads ported/polished/shaved CR supposedly around 10.25:1 Holley street dominator intake Holley 750 vac secondary carb Crane cams electronic ignition convrsion kit inside dist. Flame thrower coil crank has been turned 10 Long tube headers dual 2 1/4 inch exhaust with virtually no restrictions (just enough to keep enough backpressure to be safe.) C-4 tranny My carb will either be jetted down and a few other changes made, or swap to a Holley 650 double pumper. Rear tires are as mentioned, 275/60/15. Don't know the exact dimensions, but I'll measure it tomorrow........ Does any of this help? Thanks!! Preston
preston, M.A.V. has a spool, 4:11 and c4.he can tell you a story about street driving a "spool". something about getting on it and it turned 90 degrees and jumped the curb. all in a split sec. i think all it messed up was his "pants" ...frank...
Running 4:30's with a spool and the same size tires you have. It's a street car...only time it's been on the track was this years round-up. No problems yet.
I'm not scolding anyonw, but with a spool on the street, one needs to be aware of the dangers of losing control of the car and causing an accident, and of breaking an axel...
I have the spool and 3.80 gears. You do NOT want to go any bigger on the gears. These are still highway-able, but you are doing over 3000rpm at 70mph. I am pretty sure that 4.11s will put you up or over 4000rpm on the highway. There was a thread a couple weeks back regarding the dangers and cautions of driving with a spool... basically, know that your inside tire is the fastest (unlike open rears) and any gas given to that tire will encourage it to come around and meet you in front. I still run stock axles and when I put the rear and spool in, I marked them with an etched straight line. I still have the bearings, and need to replace them, and when I do, I will verify that the line is still straight. That was over 1000 miles ago, and I run fairly wide 245/60r15 BFG T/As. I thought (last week) of going stickier, but these axles are what scared me to sticking with the BFGs on the street and maybe buying a second set of rims with slicks for the track. I love my spool, but it takes a few weeks to get used to some of the strange sounds and sensations felt when driving town with them. Lots of rubbing and grinding sounds as the wheels don't really want to spin the same speed all the time, and are fighting against the spool. And, your tires will wear a bit different, since they are not just wearing on forward movement, but also that twist and slide (the source of all those noises) which cuts little chunks of tire out at times.
I've driven a spool on the street for years with no problems, just stay out of the rain and don't be doing anything stupid in the curves, you'll be fine!!!
I have 4.62 gears with a spool and 275/60/15 tires, yes its to much gear for the street....65 mph is around 3700rpm's, but its fun. Just keep your head about what you are doing and you will be fine.
2 yrs. 4.10 gears. mini spool. just drive carefully in the rain. you will eat tires: they scuff a lot. got about 2k out of my last set. i use tall skinny tires to cut the ratio on the street (235x75x15=28") & let the tires slip easier in a turn. keep the air in the tires as equal as possible. i also have a built in cushion: 3200 stall converter. softens the hit at part throttle. dont ask about full throttle. just be careful in the rain.
