FWD LSD Options

[mikehiow]

I wasn't sure where I'd find a more suitable group of people to ask the question, so apologies if this is in the completely wrong forum.

I've been looking at the LSD options and understand that my options are essentially A helical item like a Quaife or a clutch based item such as the Gripper.

Now, the general consensus is the Gripper seems to be the way to go if you can deal with the maintenance and it's not used so much on the road, but what concerns me is the reports of heavy steering and understeer off power, which may be a concern for auto tests.

I guess what I'm looking for is someone that has had experience of a few - will a gripper be ok for tight/slow autotest tracks if it's setup with a low ramp angle/lock, or am I best sticking with a Helical item?

Edited by mpit on Thursday 21st July 03:29

[SimonMason]

A plate type diff is only best when you can get heat into the rear tyres to work with the pull both front wheels then give.

I doubt very much in an autotest you'll have any rear tyre temp so to make the plate diff work without it trying to swap ends and/or trying to pull you all over the road you end up backing off the diff loadings and end up where the ATB is anyway!

So I'd go with the mechanical Quaife diff for this purpose.

[Richair]

For auto tests I'd go with the ATB personally where the possibility of one wheel loosing total traction (by lifting or placing a wheel on the grass) is very much reduced.

I fitted a Quaife to a mk1 golf 16v fast road car and it was excellent; under steer was reduced in all situations and it was very stable under braking. All in all an excellent bit of kit and a must have for a serious track car!

I've now owned quite a few cars with Torsen type diffs and they've all been very capable on road and track and is quite a difference to an open diff.

Edited by Richair on Wednesday 30th October 13:19

[mikehiow]

Thanks guys, I appreciate it!