Spool opinions

[PROSTOCKTOM]

After talking with Mark Williams I purchased a Dana 60 40-spline aluminum spool for my ONPS AMC Hornet Hatchback. They told me I would never have any issues with it for the weight and horsepower I am running, and told me that most all SS/AH cars are running this spool with a lot more weight without issue. So, we'll see how goes, but I don't expect using it to be of any issue.

Tom

[jmantle]

Originally Posted by Randall Klein

In the Chevy II thread, Jeff Lee mentions the risk of an aluminum spool in weight savings vs longevity. Years ago down to 8 cars at Dallas I split my aluminum spool just out of the water box, and went back to a lightened steel spool for piece of mind.

Before that, I had contacted DEWCO if a titanium spool could be made. The statement made to me at that time, was the savings from aluminum (not counting the risk) was lost in the "flex-bind", that the stability of a steel spool outweighed the weight

With the AHFS, and lack of desire to set any records, I really don't care anymore, but I have always wondered about the pros and cons on spool materials

Anybody know what the Pro Stockers and COMP guys run? I assume most use DEWCO driveline components

Aluminum bends or distorts about 3 times what steel does under the same load. As steel is 3 times as heavy as aluminum, it comes down to the design of the spool. Personally, I'd rather have a well designed steel spool. If nothing else, the splines won't wear out as fast.

[Jack Zimmerman]

Something that I haven't seen mentioned here is that in our world (i.e.: Stock and SS racing), the spool weight really only effects the unsprung weight (which is helpful but not monumental) vs any measurable dynamic rotating weight benefit. This is because the spool diameter is relatively small and it's at the end of the gear reduction gear train such that it's at the lowest rpm in the system which makes any inertial differences pretty much just theoretical. With all of that being said, I can also say from first hand real world experience in my stocker, that when my aluminum spool broke and I put in a steel spool, I didn't see any difference in ET. However, as always....YMMV......