How many of you run a Mag-Hytec diff cover?

Most GM 11.5s have one right in the bottom of the axle housing already.
 
More on diff covers...

 
You say most do but I haven't serviced one yet that did.

Weird...both of mine have them. Maybe it's an 01-02 thing? Even my 99 1500 had a drain plug in the bottom of the housing.
 
Works for me.
OEM 3500 finned cover on my 2500
IMG_20180914_085049990.jpg
 
 
That's what I was thinking....I know he doesn't NEED the ad revenue. I mean, he's Gale Banks.
 
I'm curios to see what their new diff cover will look like because you know that's where he's headed with all of this research!

Agreed, but I want to see the results of his test data...

I'm honestly think the additional fluid capacity may very well eat HP/cause inefficiency due to the extra resistance to the ring spinning in it... but VERY skeptical that the curved vs flat inside surface causes any issues with pinion/bearing starvation. Let's see the results of his curved back lexan test... while the fluid may stay cooler, I'd "bet the bank" (pun intended) it's still getting churned/aerated and doing the _same_exact_thing_ as the flat backs!
 
I think the deal with the flat ones is how badly it works the fluid towards the bottom of the diff. Sure, the ring gear still slings it up and over, but that area is just adding more heat to it than necessary. It's pretty well proven that fluids like curves more than sharp angles.

It's going to get aerated, there's no way around that, but you could see a visual difference between the curved one and the MagHytec with the clear back. The Mag looked like it was basically emulsified and took forever for the air to separate. The other looked like the bubbles ran right back to the top fairly quickly once the truck stopped.

Definitely interested to see the compilation of the data he comes up with. I feel like a curved back one will do better, but what I'm not sure of is how much....which is probably how he felt too and the main reason he's doing all of this.

Must be nice to have the time, money, and resources, huh? :D
 
And if he is publishing the video..the tests are done and he has a reason I suspect.

Also my 7th grade science experiment mind is struggling. Let me see if I understand the hypothesis and the set up.
Hypothesis: Aftermarket Diff cover brand X does not provide optimal performance because of an inherent design flaw.
Setup: Test the subject vehicle with aftermarket brand X cover, that has been modified to allow better data gathering and visibility (without any regard for any disadvantageous impacts of these mods) and fill to less than aftermarket brand X's recommended fluid level.

Im not arguing against his point that excess fluid could be causing other undesirable outcomes. WHat I am struggling with is why test it with less than their recommended fluid level. I understand the total fluid is more than stock OEM recommended volume, but the different shape/depth of the aftermarket cover causes a lower resting vertical fluid level from OEM also.

I bet when he tests the all new Banks BADASS cover he will fill it to his recommended level
 
The reasoning behind keeping the level the same as stock fill is because that's what the factory filled to. Filling it more than that would have made it more difficult to see as well. If you noted, the cover they modified had no internal features in the casting, so it was identical to the original unmodified cover. Bet you Banks new design uses the same factory fill level..
 
I’m convinced that both curved and flat aerate the oil. I’m also convinced that both allow adequate oil to be carried over the ring gear and not starve the pinion bearing. IMHO the heat added to the oil down low is negligible given the temperature drop afforded using aluminum and adding fins. My only point of contention is fluid level. My Mag Hytec adds capacity even at stock level. I wanna know whether it’s better to run higher or stock fluid level.
 
Of course they both aerate the oil...but less would obviously be better.

I just want to know which one drops the temperature more. Adding capacity without shedding heat would just mean you have a larger capacity of "hot" oil.

A higher fill level might do what was shown in one of the videos and just get slapped around by the carrier. I don't know that it really needs to be any higher to adequately lube the hub bearings anyway.

I'm ready to see the test results. I don't feel like they would go through the hassle of doing the tests and spending their time/money doing it if it wasn't mostly unbiased.
 
I don't feel like they would go through the hassle of doing the tests and spending their time/money doing it if it wasn't mostly biased towards the product they are trying to sell.
FIFY
 
Say what you want, but I've never seen anyone else provide much, if any, testing like this. Seriously, has anyone else done it? I have no idea...I'm just asking.

If they truly don't do what they're advertised to do, he'd be crazy not to come up with his own design. Then again, is this really anything that anyone will ever notice having a negative effect on the longevity of their rear diff? Probably not....

I think it's all going to boil down to heat dissipation and if you can do any better than any of the ones currently on the market. That's about the only improvement I can see happening. It's going to aerate no matter what and fill level isn't going to change much of anything.
 
Say what you want, but I've never seen anyone else provide much, if any, testing like this. Seriously, has anyone else done it? I have no idea...I'm just asking.

If they truly don't do what they're advertised to do, he'd be crazy not to come up with his own design. Then again, is this really anything that anyone will ever notice having a negative effect on the longevity of their rear diff? Probably not....

I think it's all going to boil down to heat dissipation and if you can do any better than any of the ones currently on the market. That's about the only improvement I can see happening. It's going to aerate no matter what and fill level isn't going to change much of anything.
I like his approach too, but obviously he's leading towards a product launch. To your point, I haven't heard of issues with AAM 11.5's much at all, especially not related to aeration or overheating. If you want to make it better, put fins on the inside and out. Use the fins on the inside to improve the amount of heat pulled out and properly shape the flow. Actually calculate the heat transfer rates for the proper mediums, and make it good, not just cool looking. Then noone will buy it because the mag hytec is cheaper.
 
Last edited:
I'm sure he could come up with something less than 275 bucks. We'll see though.

I haven't heard of any issues with them either. I still think I'm just going to go with the finned Dodge cover if I can find one unless Banks comes out with something revolutionary :lol:
 
Back
Top