The Big Difference with SPELAB Differential Covers

There are several common truths about diesel engines. The main one is just how long they last. It’s not uncommon to see diesel-powered trucks rack up mileage that would make a gas engine wave the white flag. Diesel engines are also known for amazing torque. They can put that power to the ground, too. With the right gearing, you could pull your house down the road with more ease than you might think. And lastly, it is quite easy to get a lot more power out of a diesel engine without crazy modifications.

When you do go a little crazy, the power amounts a diesel can produce will astound you. One thing you don’t want to do is have the power you make with your diesel not make it to the road. That’s where a sometimes overlooked part comes into play - Your differential cover. Don’t worry, though. SPELAB has the performance differential cover you need to get the most from your motor.

Heating Up

Your differential, like any moving mechanical part, can feel the effects of heat from even normal use. The more power you’re putting down means the more you’re asking from your differential fluid. Heat breaks it down over time and use, which is why changing it and monitoring the levels are vital to the mechanical health of your truck. That is where the SPELAB differential covers make a huge difference.

SPELAB engineered its covers with an external heat sink design. This is done by increasing the surface area of the external parts of the cover to create more contact area with air and additional cooling properties. The more surface area you have with hot metal, the better the heat dissipation is, lowering the internal temperature.

Another cooling effect SPELAB created was to use aluminum alloy instead of steel. Aluminum cools faster than steel. SPELAB’s aluminum differential covers also, due to how they are built, are less prone to heat deformation. These parts are also more durable. It helps that with the weight of aluminum, it is easier to add more surface area without increasing weight. SPELAB gives you some options, too. Cast aluminum offers most of the better qualities of aluminum at a lower cost. Billet aluminum costs a bit more, but is a denser form of aluminum, giving you a smoother surface area and increased strength. Both options are built for long-lasting performance for your differential.

SPELAB differential covers also use special black “crinkle” paint that resists corrosion and helps with surface area. When it comes to performance, it’s attention to detail like the type of paint used on a part that can make bigger differences than you might ever think.

Internally

The inside surface of the SPELAB differential covers also works to help with performance. SPELAB uses an internal diversion groove design that lines up with the direction of your differential fluid’s flow as the differential gear rotates. This gives you the maximum flow rate for better consistency with lubrication. With better movement of your fluid, you get better coverage for lubrication and increased contact with the cover, creating better cooling and performance.

Keeping An Eye On It

One of the trickier parts of differential fluid is knowing if you have enough in the diff to keep things going. SPELAB took an engineering look at what it could do and came up with a unique design. SPELAB differential covers use an external observation mirror with a floating ball that you use to monitor the fluid level in the differential. If your current differential cover has a window to see if there is fluid, there can be an issue with the mirror these windows use to give you a reading. Traditional observation mirrors in the market often darken over time,

reducing your visibility. The SPELAB floating ball design allows you to monitor the fluid

level even if the mirror darkens. This means that as long as you check it, you will be able to get an accurate fluid measurement within your differential. This saves you time, money and stress - things we all can appreciate.

Why SPELAB?

Founded in 2019, SPELAB is a premier automotive performance brand located in City of Industry, California. The company specializes in high-quality custom solutions for diesel truck owners, with a focus on the three major diesel engine platforms - Duramax, Cummins, and Powerstroke. They also continuously work to expand into new diesel power systems like EcoDiesel and more.

The company offers a comprehensive range of diesel performance and repair

parts, including:

• Intake Systems (intake manifolds, intake pipes, cold air intake kits, etc.)
• Engine Components (valve covers, oil pans, fuel system components, etc.)
• Cooling Systems (high-performance radiators, coolant bypass kits, etc.)
• Exhaust Systems (high-flow exhaust pipes, turbo-back exhausts, etc.)

SPELAB has also significantly increased its investment into in-house research and development beginning in 2023. This has helped launch new products, like high-performance valve covers, intake manifolds, oil pans, and the differential covers talked about above. The company uses feedback from customers and market analysis to identify areas such as long-term performance degradation, high maintenance costs, and modification-related concerns, and then comes up with new solutions. The goal is to enhance durability and maximize performance for diesel trucks, ensuring reliability even under the most demanding conditions.

NOTE: This is sponsored content produced in partnership with SPELAB