I'm building a 9 inch for my Mav. For those of you who use a spool instead of tracloc, locker, etc., how is the drivability of your Mav on the street? My Mav will see a lot 1/4 trips and be used on cruise and show nights. I would really appreciate your opinions.
this has been on a number of times. check the archives. in short, don't drive in the rain. a spool on the street is really not a good idea. not good for the tires or the axles.
I'm new to this message board stuff. I've been e-mailing and surfing since '93, but never really got into message boards. I looked at several (make that a bunch) threads, but did not fully realize I could do a search. Sorry for the duplicity.
no problem. i was just letting you know. there's lots of good stuff in the archives, plus most of the time you don't have to wait for an answer.
I used to drive a spool on the street, a 1970 Challanger 340. It was alot of fun, but there were several times I spun out for almost no reason. One time I was making a lane change, Wam! I spun in traffic. I also spun out in the rain or wet so many time I can't count them. Just the crown in the road would get it to spin in the rain/wet. If I remember corectly I had 245-50-15 on rear. The sure-grip was much better street. I only spun out 1 time in the rain with the posi and I remember being really shocked that it happened.
The spool is definately not good for everyday street driving. However, if you are going to shows and such close by in dry weather, you can get by with it. I live a short distance from GRT racing who builds mostly late model and Imca stock car chassis. They have barrels of mini spools at 18.00 each. They will fit either 8 or 9inch carriers. You have to make the decision on how much track use compared to street driving, you are going to do. My advise is to set up another center section with the spool just for racing, not to hard to swap them out in about an hour(not my favorite job though). The chunk weighs in at about 80 lbs. Course I am a bit too old for lifting that stuff anyway. Floor jacks are great.
I've thought about the two center sections, Old Guy. I don't know how old your are, Old Guy, but I'm 45 and I ain't excited about making that swap either. The car will be trailered to the race track. You can't take everything you might need in the trunk of your car. FYI, this is my second go round for a hot rod. My last was 28 years ago. You'd be amazed as to how getting serious about your college studies, getting married (have for over 21 years), building a career, and having four daughters can impede one's hot rodding days. Thankfully, we've been successful enough now for Daddy to get another hot rod toy.
Hey Terry, I know what you mean. Am about 19yrs older than you but have been a gear head since day one I think. I still do most of my own work on all my vehicles and still drive a drag car at the strip. Believe me if I can get one of the sons to do the heavy work, the better. But sometimes is not the case, ie, was making some test and tune runs last year on a Saturday before the Sunday brackets. My old Fairmont was hauling the mail until a sprag unit broke, being I was chasing points, wanted to get it fixed before Sunday. Called the youngest son and had him bring up a spare C4, about an hours drive. Meanwhile I got everything undone and drained, he arrived and both of us pulled the trans and replaced it. "Never again says I" was one sore puppy Sunday but did get in some wins. The mind is saying "Man I can do anything" but the old body says "No way Jose' " With the car on the trailer might be easy for a strong fellow to change it out for you anyway. Just a thought.
Spool I have always run spools they are cheap an indistructable. and have no wearing parts. Its a no brain'er, Run the spool just be smart about it, be carefull and run good axles. you dont have to worry about tires being damaged unless your running very low tire presure and a wrinkle wall slick, but I run these and do the u turn at the end of the track without any issues and so does everyone else. I run a 28X12.5 et street now and would drive them on nothing but a full spool, I have put endless clutch packs in posi units and hate them and there are too many variables. If its not going to be a spool then there is only one other option a detroit locker (noisy) or a mini spool (just weaker than a full spool) take your pick but there is nothing wrong with running a spool on the street, People are afraid of what the dont know or havent done. Fear nothing but GOD Dave
One of the best things at the round-up last year was having maverickrunner behind me during cruises and listening to the tires squeel when making turns! Then looking in the mirror(I was driving Susan and Wilbur Greens stallion) and seeing Todd and his family grinning from ear to ear!! They are the smilingest bunch of GREAT people you would ever want to meet!
2 weeks ago I was faced wtth the same dilemna hawk, 50 bucks for a spool or 375 for a Moser locker, my car hasn't seen the strip yet and I want to be able to drive it when I want to drive it and not be dictated to by weather or any other conditions so I went with the locker...I think I'll be happier with it in the long haul. 2 weeks untill the first test and tune night at the strip and I will be there with bells on
THANKS JOHN... Yea I have a spool in mine, and I have never had a problem. I dont drive it much....but it is on the street. Its alot of fun also, with the tire noise and being a bright orange Maverick, makes peoples heads turn... Hey John, Neal and his wife got their ears full....they were behind us at the Roundup!!!
Hey, riporter. Post those test and tune times. Give a report on how the locker left off the line. Will ya?
Be glad to hawk...I'm expecting good things from it considering it was stock 8" with 2:75 ratio before...I had an F150 rear cut down and resplined and went to a 3:25. It hooks up pretty good now but I need some better tires which I hope to get on this week
