LSD for Dummies
Discussion
Hi PHers,
I've been trying to carry out some research re: limited slip differentials (you thought you stumbled on an entirely different thread did't you?!)
as I'm thinking of this being a possibility on my car.
As I don't have an engineering background (incidentally, I'm often impressed by the engineering knowledge on PH but it usually goes over my head!) the best video that I've come across from another car website is from Youtube:
'How Differential Gear works (BEST Tutorial)'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4JhruinbWc&NR=...
From reading some other online articles/forums and a 2012 Q&A session on PH, I understand that an LSD improves traction, cornering reduce stresses on wheels somewhat; which sounds great as my favourite type of driving is countryside/A and B-roads.
However, I wanted to ask for opinions on whether it's actually worth the cost? Is it that necessary if your car already handles well? Has anyone experience of before and after on the same car/model of car? Would you go without once you've had it? How essential is it in the enjoyment of driving of a RWD car?
Cheers in advance PH! Ready for any spelling and grammatical errors to be pointed out too
I've been trying to carry out some research re: limited slip differentials (you thought you stumbled on an entirely different thread did't you?!)
as I'm thinking of this being a possibility on my car.As I don't have an engineering background (incidentally, I'm often impressed by the engineering knowledge on PH but it usually goes over my head!) the best video that I've come across from another car website is from Youtube:
'How Differential Gear works (BEST Tutorial)'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4JhruinbWc&NR=...
From reading some other online articles/forums and a 2012 Q&A session on PH, I understand that an LSD improves traction, cornering reduce stresses on wheels somewhat; which sounds great as my favourite type of driving is countryside/A and B-roads.
However, I wanted to ask for opinions on whether it's actually worth the cost? Is it that necessary if your car already handles well? Has anyone experience of before and after on the same car/model of car? Would you go without once you've had it? How essential is it in the enjoyment of driving of a RWD car?
Cheers in advance PH! Ready for any spelling and grammatical errors to be pointed out too
If you don't often find yourself spinning up the unloaded back wheel in bends or on roundabouts, I'd suggest a retro-fit LSD is unnecessary.
On a relatively low-powered car, such as a 1.6 n/a Toyota for example
it's not worth it and it's certainly not essential to enjoying the driving experience... unless you're intending to go drifting...
On a 400bhp M / AMG car (for example), a LSD is rather more more beneficial.
On a relatively low-powered car, such as a 1.6 n/a Toyota for example
it's not worth it and it's certainly not essential to enjoying the driving experience... unless you're intending to go drifting...On a 400bhp M / AMG car (for example), a LSD is rather more more beneficial.
Hahaha! Fair point! Sadly my 1.6 is on the way out (will miss it) I'm planning an engine swap that will give 190ish bhp, so I this still isn't equivalent to a properly high powered car
Whilst I appreciate the skill involved, I'm not a wannabe drifter either; so definitely not worth it for me! I don't tend to spin my wheels either, so armed with this info I reckon a rear strut brace and thicker anti-roll bar would be far more beneficial for the handling.
Sincerely, many thanks Gruber, your insight has proved indispensable!
P.S. noice garage
Whilst I appreciate the skill involved, I'm not a wannabe drifter either; so definitely not worth it for me! I don't tend to spin my wheels either, so armed with this info I reckon a rear strut brace and thicker anti-roll bar would be far more beneficial for the handling.
Sincerely, many thanks Gruber, your insight has proved indispensable!
P.S. noice garage
DDg said:
On my low powered bec I was told not to as (a) it wasn't needed because of the power and (b) it would sully the turn in and promote understeer.
And tbh the only reason I fancied it was to do donuts...
Appreciate the honesty, thanks And tbh the only reason I fancied it was to do donuts...
Mmmm donuts 
ETA: the layout of my car provides enough understeer as it is!
What Mr. Gruber said.
At close to race speeds, or driving very quickly on the street, it will let you drive harder out of slow corners. At the same time, you may find that the car tries to understeer a bit on you on corner exits.
Also, at the same time, it may transition suddenly into power oversteer.
If you have to have one, see if Quaife has one for your car.
I have one on one of my cars and I like it.
At close to race speeds, or driving very quickly on the street, it will let you drive harder out of slow corners. At the same time, you may find that the car tries to understeer a bit on you on corner exits.
Also, at the same time, it may transition suddenly into power oversteer.
If you have to have one, see if Quaife has one for your car.
I have one on one of my cars and I like it.
gixxer said:
What Mr. Gruber said.
At close to race speeds, or driving very quickly on the street, it will let you drive harder out of slow corners. At the same time, you may find that the car tries to understeer a bit on you on corner exits.
Also, at the same time, it may transition suddenly into power oversteer.
If you have to have one, see if Quaife has one for your car.
I have one on one of my cars and I like it.
Thanks Gixxer. I wouldn't say I need to have one, but was seeing if it was worth it whilst other work was being done. Cheers!At close to race speeds, or driving very quickly on the street, it will let you drive harder out of slow corners. At the same time, you may find that the car tries to understeer a bit on you on corner exits.
Also, at the same time, it may transition suddenly into power oversteer.
If you have to have one, see if Quaife has one for your car.
I have one on one of my cars and I like it.
p.s. oooof loving the esprit!!!!!!!!!
gixxer said:
If you have to have one, see if Quaife has one for your car.
I have one on one of my cars and I like it.
http://shop.quaife.co.uk/catalogsearch/advanced/re...
Different types make for a different experience, the one in my GP mini is very smooth and and you wouldn't really know apart from the lack of one spinning wheel, the one in my mates Mk1 focus RS is very different, when coming onto boost if the roads not smooth it'll pull and grab all over the shop, it does have 370ish bhp though so boost does come on very strong
Different types of LSD have slightly different characteristics.
I've had a few RWD cars with and without. I prefer to have it, although I'd seek out a car with one rather than throw £800 and a rear end dissassembly at a car without.
It doesn't really need massive power to notice the difference. Drive an MX-5 with and without for a couple of weeks wet and dry and you'll see a difference.
I've had a few RWD cars with and without. I prefer to have it, although I'd seek out a car with one rather than throw £800 and a rear end dissassembly at a car without.
It doesn't really need massive power to notice the difference. Drive an MX-5 with and without for a couple of weeks wet and dry and you'll see a difference.
Sharky86 said:
daveenty said:
You can spin both wheels instead of one.
Do you mean at stationary starts in a straight line or in bends? Aren't both wheels already locked on a car without an LSD? Honestly, like I say I did this referring to myself as the dummy
An LSD limits the amount of wheel speed difference. So when one whell starts to spin, the other still gets power. This means the car will still pull away. If you apply more power then both wheels could start to spin.
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