Wavetrac Differentials Australia: Helical Torque-Biasing Limited Slip Diffs
Wavetrac is a helical gear, torque-biasing limited slip differential designed and built in the USA by Autotech Driveline. Like other helical LSDs it sends drive to the wheel with more grip - but Wavetrac adds a patented cam device that keeps driving the gripping wheel even when the other wheel is unloaded or in the air, the exact moment a conventional helical diff behaves like an open diff. There are no clutch packs to wear or rebuild, it needs no maintenance, and every unit carries a limited lifetime warranty that covers racing.
Chicane Australia stocks genuine Wavetrac differentials for over 100 applications, from GR Yaris, Golf R and RS3 through to Porsche 911 and Cayman, BMW M3, Nissan GT-R, Falcon XR6 Turbo and XR8, Mustang and Ford 9-inch, along with the ARP bolt kits, bearings and shims needed for installation. Each listing shows the exact gearbox or axle code, final drive ratio and identification details, so you can confirm fitment before you order.
Shop by Vehicle
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Porsche: Wavetrac for Porsche 911, 930, 944, 968, Boxster & Cayman - 901, 915, G50, 996/997 manual and PDK
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BMW: Wavetrac for BMW M3, M5, M6, 1 & 3 Series and 2002 - 168, 188, 188K and 215K axles
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Toyota: Wavetrac for GR Yaris (GXPA16) / GR Corolla (GZEA14) front & rear
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VW / Audi / Skoda: Wavetrac for VW Golf GTI, Polo GTI & Audi A3 (2WD), Golf R, Audi RS3 & TT RS DQ500, plus S3, TT, S4/RS4 (B5), A4 Quattro, Quattro coupe, 80/90/UrS4, R8 and Fabia RS
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Nissan / Infiniti: Wavetrac for GT-R (R35 & R32), 350Z, 370Z, G35/G37 and Q50/Q60 3.0TT
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Ford: Wavetrac for Falcon XR6 Turbo / XR8 M86, Mustang, Focus RS & ST, Fiesta ST and Ford 9-inch
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Honda: Wavetrac for Civic Type R, Integra Type R, Accord Euro and Prelude
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Mitsubishi: Wavetrac front diff for Lancer Evolution VIII, IX and X
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Mercedes-AMG: Wavetrac for Mercedes-AMG HAG215 axle, 190E 2.3-16 and 500E (HAG215 also suits Chrysler 300C SRT8)
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Other: MINI Cooper S/JCW (R5X, F56), Renault Clio RS 197/200, Alfa Romeo MiTO/Giulietta/4C, Fiat 500 Abarth, Holden Astra VXR, Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT, Lamborghini Gallardo/Huracan/Aventador, McLaren, Tesla Model S, Volvo
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Install parts: Wavetrac install kits, ARP bolts, bearings & shims
Choosing the Right Wavetrac
Wavetrac differentials are matched to the gearbox or axle, not just the model name. Before ordering, confirm:
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Gearbox or axle code - e.g. VW 02J vs 02J-B (114mm vs 113mm ring gear ID), DSG 20T vs 25T ring gear spline, Porsche PDK with factory open diff (85mm bearing journal) vs factory LSD (91mm)
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Final drive ratio - many BMW and Mercedes axles have separate Wavetrac units for different ratio ranges
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Ring gear mounting - some BMW axles have a factory-welded ring gear; our BMW listings suit bolted ring gears only
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Front or rear - AWD cars such as the GR Yaris, GT-R, Evo and Golf R have separate front and rear units
If you are unsure, send us your VIN and gearbox or axle code and we will confirm the correct part.
Installation & What You'll Need
A Wavetrac is supplied as a complete differential carrier ready to accept your factory ring gear. Installation involves transferring the ring gear and setting backlash and bearing preload to factory specification, so fitting by a professional driveline specialist is always recommended. Depending on the application you may also need:
- ARP ring gear bolts - VW/Audi factory ring gears are riveted and must be converted to bolts
- New carrier bearings and shims - see our Wavetrac install kits, bearings and shims for VW/Audi manual and DSG gearboxes, BMW, MINI and Porsche PDK
- Application-specific parts such as the 350Z axle flange - noted on each product page
No break-in is required for the Wavetrac itself.
Gear Oil
Use the gear oil specified by your vehicle manufacturer - the Wavetrac is compatible with virtually all factory-fill gear oils. Avoid oils with limited slip friction modifiers, as helical differentials rely on internal friction to work. Do not use Red Line ShockProof or similar oils - doing so voids the Wavetrac warranty. For racing, Wavetrac recommends Motul synthetic gear oils.
FAQ
How is Wavetrac different from other helical LSDs? Conventional helical LSDs need load on both wheels to bias torque, so when one wheel lifts or unloads they act like an open diff. Wavetrac's patented cam device creates internal load in that situation, keeping drive on the wheel with grip.
How much power can a Wavetrac handle? According to Wavetrac, in almost any gearbox or axle the differential is not the limiting factor in torque capacity.
Does it need servicing or rebuilds? No. There are no clutches or wearing parts, so there is no scheduled maintenance.
What warranty applies? A transferable limited lifetime warranty against defects and wear-out when used in the application it was designed for, including racing. Exclusions include incorrect installation and use of ShockProof-type oil.
Do you ship Australia-wide? Yes, we ship Wavetrac differentials and install parts across Australia.
Not sure which Wavetrac suits your car? Contact our team at sales@chicaneaustralia.com.au with your VIN and gearbox or axle code.