We Test It
Auburn Gear Electronically Controlled Traction Enhancing Differential (ECTED)
We plopped an ECTED into the...
We plopped an ECTED into the Model 20 housing, no problem. The only difference we found was that the coil retainer (arrow) needs to be installed on a cap bolt to keep the coil from spinning.
This is the solution to the "spool versus limited slip at the dragstrip" debate. A spool is good because it locks both axles together for maximum torque transfer but is dangerous on the street because it does not allow the rear tires to spin at different speeds around a corner, putting strain on the axles and causing fun but unsafe instability like understeer and snap oversteer. A limited slip is good because clutches allow the wheels to spin at different speeds, but hot slicks grabbing traction individually in the burnout box can kill it.
Jeep guys have solved this problem using air and hydraulic lockers for years to add 100 percent torque transfer to both spinning tires to escape mudholes and climb rocks. The new ECTED is based on this idea but uses a magnetic coil to lock, unlock, or even vary the amount of torque that is delivered to the rear wheels. It is designed to be used in conjunction with onboard traction control devices, but for our purposes it can serve as a switchable spool controlled with a simple on/off toggle. We installed one in our Rambler's AMC Model 20 rearend and gave it a beating. Here's what we found:
Can you switch it on and off while driving? Yes. It is recommended that the switch be flipped below 5 mph when only one tire is spinning. Otherwise, we flipped it on at freeway speed, low speed, high speed, and around corners with no problems.
Does it make noise? No. It is as quiet as any properly set-up differential we've ever used. We've never heard it clunk during engagement.
Will it fit in a stock housing? Yes. It installs just like a normal limited-slip differential. The only difference is drilling a hole in the diff cover to run the wires.
The second weird thing was...
The second weird thing was the hole in the diff cover. It uses a seal that plugs the hole as you tighten it so it doesn't leak. We ran the wires to a switch under the dash. Flip it on for fun and off for slightly less fun.
Is it a full locker? Yes. When it is engaged, the inside tire chirps around corners just like a full spool. Since it is wired to the ignition, when the key is off it unlocks so you can push or tow the car.
Is it a good limited slip? As good as any normal limited slip. We've plugged the throttle for some powerslides and it works as expected. In locked mode, we no longer fear the burnout box.
Learn More: Auburn Gear Inc.; Auburn, IN; 260/920-3501; auburngear.com
| APPLICATIONS |
| Make | Model |
| AMC | M20 |
| Ford | 8.5 |
| | 8.8 |
| | 8.8 IRS |
| GM | 12-bolt |
| Description | PN | Source | Price |
| Auburn ECTED locker | 545007 | ringpinion.com | $746.16 |