Benefit of the Spider diff over a std diff?!?

[lincpimp]

So I was wondering what differrence a 8 gear diff (ofna spider) has over a std 6 gear diff in the way of performance? It has more contact teeth on the outputs, so is lighter fluid required to achieve the same limited slipo action? I can imagine that it is stronger, and possibly smoother.

I ask as I am planning to make a center diff for the new emaxx and erevo and might as well make a setup for a std diff and the spider. Some info from someone who has used both types would be handy, perferably in a racing enviorment. And if the design I have in my head works they will be for sale...at a good price.

[George16]

I have both ofna 6 and 8 spyder diffs in my trucks. Aside from the strength, there really is not much of a difference. I still have to use the same diff oil weight for each of them. Just because it's an 8 spyder does not mean lighter weight diff oil to achieve the same action. Having 8 spyders means more contact are like you said which means better load distrribution at a bigger area resulting in less failure rate of the gears.

Let me know if you want measurements too so I can give them to you. I would have bought your revo with slipperential but I forgot all about it :(.

[lincpimp]

Good to know that aside from load hadling there is not much of a difference, except price$$$$. Those spider diffs are a bit costly

Yeah, you missed out of the slipper revo, but I am going to make my own center slipper/diff setup. Using the new emaxx tranny will give better reduction and more gearing options, plus it will directly bolt to the erevo too. And it is sealed so the internals will hold up better.

[FG101C]

Probably the most fun filling a diff I've ever had. You have to have some pretty nimble fingers and shop towels handy. Nice diff though, usually go pretty cheap on ebay. Search Hyper 8.5 or ST and you will find them.

[Sammus]

I read about a lot of guys who buy the hyper 8.5 pro with the 8 gear centre diff buying the old 6 gear one to replace it. They didnt like it for some reason *shrugs* never found out why, it was a pretty common 'mod' though.

[George16]

It's a pain to assemble especially when it comes to putting the oil in. After a while, I found out an easy way to fill them up.

Sammus, they probably have the 8 spyder torsion center diff which is more unstable compared to the regular 6 or 8 spyders.

[Sammus]

Well its whatever comes with the 8.5 pro kit. I know a bunch of guys who bought the 8.5 pro kit, then bought the old diff to put in place of the new center one. coulda been torsion idk.

[captain harlock]

The 6 spyder diffs are way easier to maintain and assemble. Moderately priced and light weight. The only problem is when you put the diff under heavy load in a heavy truck. The gear housing might break or get twisted. 8 spyders are simply made for extreme racing condition for better handling, extra durability, smooth operation and zero flexibility.
They're very expensive, complicated and quite heavey which consequently increase rotational mass and decrease acceleration a bit. They do look killer, though. :)

[George16]

Not quite expensive. You can get a pair from ebay for $70 if you get lucky. I have a set on my brushless emaxx and another set on my spare VBS just in case. The weight is comparable to the 6 spyders. I didn't notice any decrease acceleration on my emaxx .

[Finnster]

I got a spare spider w/ 46T spur for $45 on ebay, w/ diff tool as well. Good price IMO.

The ST/ H8.5 ones are nice, alu case and beefy gears. they are heavier tho, and harder to find spurs for. I'm not rushing out to replace it tho w/ a normal diff.

[_paralyzed_]

we all remember that the all hailed and greatly powerful ue supermaxx 8 spider is just an ofna 8 spider in a maxx case right? You can get them on e-bay cheap and with the aluminum case they are bulletproof, and cheaper then buying a 6 spider AND an aluminum case. The 8 spiders are a bee-yatch to put fluid in, but so purty.