Benefits of posi-traction?

Question

I own a 1978 El Camino right now that's my fun car/driver, and I want to swap the pathetic stock rear gears for 3.73's. Anyways, a local shop said they'd charge extra to convert the rear end to a posi. I'm not really sure if it's worth it though. Does posi-traction mainly help with traction? Right now the car has a mild 350 in it so I don't think she'll be a tire burner off the line. But I might want to build up the engine in the future.

Answer 1

A posi-trac will chew your back tires up, and has no real benefit for the average driver.

Answer 2

Of course they are going to charge extra. An Eaton Posi unit is in the area of $450. Plus gears, Ratech install kit, and installation, you're looking at $800 just for parts, and another $400 to install.



If you change to 3.73 you will be more likey to "roll the tires" when you slam on the gas. without a posi, only one will smoke, and that looks funny.



If they are charging you less than $1000, don't do it. This means they are going to weld your spider gears giving you a locker. Also means both wheels are always going the same speed. So turning a corner at 5mph one of your tires will be squealing.



You want a limited slip rear diff (Eaton Posi). Richmond gears, Ratech install kit, and a new rear diff cover.

Answer 3

i like this question. i think most of this depends on the size of the wheel. the front wheel drive technically will have more traction, as long as the width of the wheels on the car are the same. But.... i think that a rwd would be better for traction if you were into drag racing only for the reason that you could tub out the rear of the car allowing you to have Huge wheels and also a wheelie bar. the fwd can not do a burn out like a rwd because it has extra traction from the weight of the engine; but you can't have as wide of tires on a fwd as a rwd. but in the long run i think the car with the most traction possible would be a rear engine car with rwd. but if you are talking everyday average joe car, the fwd defiantly has more traction than the rwd. because of the weight of the engine. personally i prefer rwd cars, they are alot more fun and it is weird in a fwd how your back wheels don't do anything because when going out of control this can be deadly, where as in a rwd, that is called drifting! anyways i hope this helped to answer you question. good question by the way. over and out.

Answer 4

positraction is when the differential locks up the carrier and delivers equal power and rpms to both back tires reducing or eliminating tire slippage.

Answer 5

Posi is for racing purposes and better torque and stability.

Answer 6

more power to the ground better traction when slippery