Mig Spec front differential

[JAHetfield]

Apologies in advance, I realise this is a completely daft question. It is however, one I would like to know the answer to.

I'm well versed on the topic of welded rear differentials having had quite a few for off road and track fun. However, what I would like to know is, can the differential be welded up on a FWD car and what the effects of this might be? I would imagine it would be great for putting power down in a drag race although if you tried to take a corner at speed, you would understeer straight through the hedge.

[PhillipM]

And chew tyres/joints every time you turned the steering too. Daft idea.

[stevieturbo]

JAHetfield said:

Apologies in advance, I realise this is a completely daft question. It is however, one I would like to know the answer to.

I'm well versed on the topic of welded rear differentials having had quite a few for off road and track fun. However, what I would like to know is, can the differential be welded up on a FWD car and what the effects of this might be? I would imagine it would be great for putting power down in a drag race although if you tried to take a corner at speed, you would understeer straight through the hedge.

A locked front diff in a fwd car has to be one of the stupidest and most dangerous things I can think of. Even for a drag car.

Several reasons.

It will be virtually impossible to steer, which will place extra loads on your arms, and steering components.

If it does turn, it will want to understeer anyway

It will scrub tyres like f***

And if one driveshaft fails, it will be an immediate crash.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=not148kaVYo


IMO no fwd car with a welded diff or spool should ever be allowed to run side by side with another car at a drag strip without the other driver being fully aware of the dangerous car beside them so they can be given the option not to run.

Edited by stevieturbo on Tuesday 29th November 20:21

[JAHetfield]

Thanks for that

It's not something I'm planning on doing, it's just something that interested me out of pure curiosity.

[GavinPearson]

I think you should try it. Go to a place like Bruntingthorpe and drive around the runway without the risk of harming you, the car or anybody else.

I have done a brazed rwd diff, very effective and it didn't affect handling significantly, but massively improved the ability to maintain power when cornering loads would otherwise cause the lesser loaded rear wheel to spin.

[It's fixable...]

Welded diffs, irrespective if on RWD or FWD are banned in Drag Racing.

You'd have to be mental, or some sort of knob, to try it in an FWD application.

[It's fixable...]

Welded diffs, irrespective if on RWD or FWD are banned in Drag Racing.

You'd have to be mental, or some sort of knob, to try it in an FWD application.

[JAHetfield]

It's fixable... said:

Welded diffs, irrespective if on RWD or FWD are banned in Drag Racing.

You'd have to be mental, or some sort of knob, to try it in an FWD application.

Well aren't I glad I didn't try it! I was merely asking the question out of pure curiositys sake.

Thanks for all the replies people! I won't be trying it BTW, I was just interested in the effects of a welded diff in a FWD car.

[stevieturbo]

GavinPearson said:

I think you should try it. Go to a place like Bruntingthorpe and drive around the runway without the risk of harming you, the car or anybody else.

I have done a brazed rwd diff, very effective and it didn't affect handling significantly, but massively improved the ability to maintain power when cornering loads would otherwise cause the lesser loaded rear wheel to spin.

You know as well as anyone there is no comparison here between fwd and rwd.

And regardless of locking method, a fwd car is dangerous with a locked front axle.

I would never willingly line up beside one on a drag strip.

[GavinPearson]

stevieturbo said:

You know as well as anyone there is no comparison here between fwd and rwd.

And regardless of locking method, a fwd car is dangerous with a locked front axle.

I would never willingly line up beside one on a drag strip.

I agree with your first two points and I feel the same about point 3.

But if he wants to learn then it is a cheap experiment and within a safe environment like a deserted 2 mile long 60m wide runway he should avoid being a danger to himself or anybody else.