LSD Options

[Wes]

Basically for those of us looking for a LSD what are the options and what impact does it have on the drive shafts?

Thanks

Wes

[SKiddell]

Firstly lets assume you need one, (got good power, good tyres, drive hard, compete occasionally etc )

Having tried both a plate LSD and an Automatic Torque Biasing unit I would plumb for an ATB every time....but not if you have a rally car as an ATB doesnt behave well once one wheel loses complete contact with the tarmac.

ATB's are very strong
Never wear out (as long as there is good oil in the case) unlike LSDs (clutch packs can cost £400)
React instantaneously unlike a plate which has to "sense" slip via a clutch
Alway on unlike a plate diff which switches between off and on
ATB's dont upset the handling of the car.....(plate diffs tend to try and "push" the car on in a tight turn as both wheels become "locked" via the clutch)
The down side is they are a little noisy (plate diffs are worse)

Quaife do a very good ATB unit for not much money

Impact on drive shafts minimal as its all integral to the diff unit but its an oppourtunity to upgrade.

Do a search on "quaife" "LSD" etc and it will answer most of your questions

[Wes]

Cheers!

[twoforty]

Steve . . How much heat do you get from your atb ? I know its an issue for some cars . . Do you run an oil cooler on your diff ?

[Mr.F]

MJP Eastern Auto

for Quaife details and purchase...

[SKiddell]

Originally Posted by twoforty

Steve . . How much heat do you get from your atb ? I know its an issue for some cars . . Do you run an oil cooler on your diff ?

The only cars that I am aware of that have had heat issues are front wheel drive cars where the diff is integral to the gearbox.

I have never noticed (not sure I expect any) excessive heat from the ATB, its a pure gear based system so the only heat generated would be the gear -oil-gear interface frictional type (a la gearbox) the diff is well lubricated and has good air flow around it so..... its been in there for four years now with no issues, in fact I did have a scare once
When we did the Bruntingthorpe test day some years ago I accidentally shifted from 3rd into second at about 105 mph, lifted the clutch (we were doing speed trials) buzzed the engine to 9000 rpm and heard a big expensive sounding bang, the car didnt sound good for the rest of the day and I really thought I had busted the Quaife so phoned them up the next day and told them the story and they politely laughed saying, "you wont break it, why do you think it has a lifetime warrenty" sure enough when I investigated the problem I found that the solid diff mount had broken almost in two.


The major benefit of the Quaife is that it is a "fit an forget" solution.

Detailed description on how the Quaife Automatic Torque Biasing Differential functions

LSD's on the other hand have been known to get very hot when worked hard.

[2fast2z]

I have a short nose R230 VCLSD, if you can't find anything else, then let me know and i might part with it.

Chris

[SeanDezart]

So, to keep it short.....quaifes and airboxes - and you can't go wrong.

[tel240z]

Originally Posted by SeanDezart

So, to keep it short.....quaifes and airboxes - and you can't go wrong.

You cant get them airboxes any more can you? LoL

[pmac]

Originally Posted by tel240z

You cant get them airboxes any more can you? LoL

I have one here with your name on

[tel240z]

PM sent

[twoforty]

So really a clutch type is a true limited slip diff and an atb is a dont lift a wheel or get it on grass or it will act as an open style diff :~)