im just curious cuz ive seen everyone talking about topic after topic of anything and everything, and not a word about the $900 LSD, just curious

 

ask liquidlancer

 

I think maybe a max of 3 people on here might have it.

 

yeah, i mean, there has been NO talk whatsoever of what its capable of, and obviously it doesnt seem worth the asking price

 

turbo tech PR also has it...
he said that it helped out a lot on his RA...well he is pushing 400+ hp

 

Here's my expert opinion...

It is definitely worth the price if you are looking for better traction. The ONLY reason I don't have it is because it's not allowed in the autocross class I race in. Every time I go around a corner full throttle and one wheel starts hopping while the other just sits motionless, I wish I had LSD. It would have really helped at the track last weekend, too. But *sigh* I can't use it. But it's definitely worth getting if (a) you race in an autocross class that allows it (b) you have forced induction and you drag race or (c) you do open track events or anything else where you push the limits of the car's handling.

With that said, I'm off to bed, but if you want a tutorial on exactly how LSD improves traction, find it on www.howstuffworks.com or ask in this thread and I'll explain tomorrow.

 

yea, too bad it will only fit manuals

 

I believe it's a Kaaz Sport LSD. They make VERY nice diffs, and I doubt anyone would be disappointed. A full replacement is the way to go for hard launching traction problems, and it's the most durable as well (all the parts were built to work together as opposed to an add-on diff such as a Phantom Grip which has been speculated to cause unecessary wear on spider gears).

All the reviews and accounts I've heard of this LSD are nothing short of praise. I wouldn't recommend this unless you need it because opening the diff is a pain in the ***, and because it's a fairly expensive mod, but there's no doubt as to whether or not you'll get your money's worth. I'm lucky enough that I haven't had to go this route...yet. I suspect I will have to in the future, but right now my motor mounts seem to be more than enough to minimize wheel spin on normal to moderate launches at least (I never really launch hard).

Remember, the root of torque steer/wheel spin on hard launches is the shifting of weight from the front to the rear of the car. The torquing of the motor contributes to this in no small part. If you minimize the amount of weight transfer when the motor moves you may be able to delay your replacing the differential, but ultimately the diff provides better launching traction and grip no matter how you slice it.

Rob, boe or someone, please correct me if I'm wrong about this being a Kaaz Sport LSD.

 

this is something I have been meaning to ask...but does it put any unnecessary strain on the drivetrain parts if there is no longer any weight transfer from the engine? I just wonder why manufacturers don't put in stiffer motor mounts to begin with if it helps with traction.

WADAD

 

stiffer motor mounts means that the car frame is going to feel most of the engine movement, so thats while when your stopped your car will vibrate, that probably isn't the technical reason for it, but that is basically why they don't do it, comfort

as for strain on drivetrain, i can't see how motor mounts could cause that

 

I'm willing to bet it's the same reason you don't get urethane exhaust hangers or bushings. Cost. Rubber parts do their job, they're durable enough, and they cost less. Plus they dampen better as motor mounts by being softer. Who's going to buy a car that shakes noticably at idle when they could buy the one with a soft, gentle idle hum? The best way I found to bypass this (and I think the reason other people had vibration problems whereas I did not) was to raise the idle slightly. Below 800rpms my car would shake, but since my idle is usually tuned to around 900-1,000 rpms I never ran into this problem.

Anyway, enough talk of trying to cheat inertia. Back on the topic of the LSD.

Oh, and It's Rory Breaker last I checked.

 

wow, a bigger nerd then i am, congrats, ill get right on that

 

It's part of my DVD collection. I've seen it at least a couple dozen times.

Again, assuming this is a Kaaz Sport LSD, here's some more info on the diff. Even if it's not, they work the same way in principle I'm sure. Another thing to keep in mind is the effect on handling (specifically hard cornering).

http://www.kaazusa.com/faq.asp

http://www.kaazusa.com/technology.asp

http://www.kaazusa.com/images/lsd_exploded_view.jpg

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

Enjoy!

 

Yes, it is Rory Breaker. Part of my DVD collection, too.

Speaking of LSDs, I don't remember where I read it, but I remember a Quaife LSD as an option for the RA. (wrong forum, I know, but it does kinda go with this thread)

I don't recall if I saw it on a website, or if it was in some literature at the dealer, as a factory-installed option.