Update on my ValueTrac Posi

I had decided to go with a ValueTrac torsen-style posi for my 96 Impala SS. Numerous discussions I had found on the internet said to avoid it simply because it sounded to cheap to be true.

Anyway, I ordered it from Ebay. $240.61 with shipping. I also ordered a set of Motive 4.10 gears and a Koyo bearing and seal set. I think total parts were under $550 including Royal Purple oil. The company I bought from also had a great tech/customer service line. I was told to expect a very aggressive posi with the potential for a clunk on engagement of the posi. Not what I expected from a torsen-style, but what the heck. Its $240.

We set it up at the shop. It ended up being a complete PITA because I was using a solid spacer instead of a crush sleeve, and the solid spacer included the ABS reluctor. Getting that all set up was a btch.

I now have about 2000 miles on the new gears and posi and I'm very pleased. The posi is 100% silent. In tight turning there is only the tiniest bit of tire scrub, most of which could be attributed to the reverse ackerman and massively wide tires. The 4.10s do offer the ability to spin the tires at will, and there is no delay in "lockup" at all. You can be at full steering lock with nearly open differentiation, goose the pedal, and both tires instantly fire to life. No noise, no waiting, no delay in engagement.

Overall I would say I'm very impressed at how it operates. I can't speak for its durability or longevity, but it certainly looks beefy.

With the caveat of untested durability, I recommend it highly.

http://stores.ebay.com/Drivetrain-Parts?_trksid=p4340.l2563

so too cheap to be true wound up being just right. Congratulations on taking the risk

Where's this thing made? The price is great but if I do buy one of these things some day I'd like to buy American if possible. Need to see if there's one available for the Ford 8.8 in a 31 spline variant.

Excellent! Thanks for reporting back. They are likely who I'm going to go with for the Javelin based mostly upon your reporting.

Thanks for the update, that is some great news so far.

pres589 wrote: Where's this thing made? The price is great but if I do buy one of these things some day I'd like to buy American if possible. Need to see if there's one available for the Ford 8.8 in a 31 spline variant.

The same place that 90% of driveline parts are made... China. Even Motive and Yukon are buying from China. The box might be made in the US, but dig hard and you'll find that true American pieces are incredibly difficult to find these days.

Makes sense. I'd want to be paid $20/hr to run machines to make those parts (let alone 40-80/hr to install them). Im guessing that is not the case in china.

It doesn't seem like a ValueTrac is available at this time for my application of interest so it may be a non-issue. Plus I don't have any business performing this upgrade at this time when the car doesn't run right or ride right in the first place.