Academy race cars - all have LSDs?

[braddo]

I am curious as to whether all Academy cars right down to the entry levels always have (had) LSDs. Does anyone know?

I am looking at getting a basic road biased car but would take it on a few track days. If even the lowest level academy cars have always had LSDs I would take it as a sign that i should probably look for a car that has one.

Thanks

[Eric Mc]

I thought the very earliest generation of Academy cars (1994/95/96 period) had solid rear axles (like my 1996 Classic SE)

[ForzaGilles]

As far as I know, the Academy cars have always run open diffs, although i'm not sure about the current Sigma generation. I used to have a 2004 ex-Academy K-Series car and that had an open diff.

[andy97]

I think the Sigma engined cars have LSDs but prior to that they had open diffs.

My ex Academy MegaGrad K Series car had annopen diff, but i have just had an LSD fitted, allowed for the series i race in.

[braddo]

Thanks.
The comments here led me to have a look for the current regs/specs and I found the 2018 Academy regs here:

https://cms.caterhamcars.com/wp-content/uploads/20...

LSDs strictly prohibited per paragraph 5.9.2.


I expect there will be times where a LSD would be appreciated but if an open diff is good enough for Academy racing fun it's good enough for me.

[andy97]

You are, of course, right. It was the Caterham Graduates series i was thinking of, where their Sigma engined cars can have an LSD in some classes.

[HustleRussell]

No Academy car spec to my knowledge included an LSD.

In fact I don't think the first rung on the upgrade ladder has ever included an LSD either.

Because Caterhams typically run low spring rates and low roll stiffness and have modest amounts of power you don't tend to miss the LSD unless you have a more powerful model or are very committed.

I have spoken to a lot of Caterham racers about the relative merits of Open diff vs. LSD and many said that the open diff demanded smarter driving and greater finesse and actually enjoyed that more.

Edited by HustleRussell on Wednesday 13th February 17:39

[CharlesElliott]

There is no difference between Caterham and Graduates here (as Graduates cars are ex-Caterham Motorsport cars)

Base car (Academy) - open diff
Tracksport / 270R / Sigma / 125 / 135 - open diff
Supersport / 310R / Sigmax / 150 - LSD

Edited by CharlesElliott on Thursday 14th February 18:00

[upsidedownmark]

IMO, (and only IMO) the caterham needs an LSD more than any other car I've owned. Despite the softer / lighter setup, a de-dion is effectively a live axle, that seems to lead to more unloading of the inside rear than a truly independent setup. I found it quite prone to spinning the inside rear, even when being a bit keen on a roundabout. Now, no doubt you can drive around that, and change your style, and make it work.. but I've certainly not regretted fitting mine with an LSD.

[CharlesElliott]

I've driven both (well, raced both) and I think either are fun, just in different ways. In fact, no-LSD is probably more fun in most circumstances. But not as quick!