limited slip diffs in road going cars

dub-disaster · October 27, 2009, 04:47:01 PM

hi all,
just been reading about lsd's today and im not sure what peoples opinions are on putting htem on a car that is driven daily? can they be a bit of a handfull?? how do they effect day to day driving aswell as foast road driving? baisicaly just wondering weather or not one is going to be benificail on my g that is having a tubro conversion on it now and hopefuly by next year will be running around 200bhp.
Anyone one got one fitted , got an opinion on them ? what about in wet weather can they cause accidents on the road ? just a feeler as to peoples opninons are on them and how they can transform the drive of a car for the ebtter or worse !
Cheers guys

Alex · October 27, 2009, 05:41:05 PM

A limited slip diff should be near the top of any G40 owner's wish list. They should've had one from the factory tbh.

I've got a Quaife ATB on mine - shifts power to the wheel with the most grip. I was expecting it to be good, but it's transformed the way the car drives. Wet or dry it wrings every last drop of grip from the road and pulls the car around. It's no worse to live with than a standard diff either. No clicking, knocking or heavier steering and it's maintenance free.

dub-disaster · October 27, 2009, 06:08:01 PM

how much did that one set you back bud ?? do you drive your car daily?? did you have it setup for road or track use ??

Alex · October 27, 2009, 08:01:18 PM

It was £585+VAT for the diff IIRC and Quaife fitted it for me for £100 as a favour (they don't usually offer fitting but I'm in a privileged position).

I don't drive my car daily, but it's not a tucked up weekend toy. It gets used anywhere between once a week and all the time, depending on my mood and how late I'm running (Passat's on the drive, Polo's in the garage and takes a few minutes to get out).

Quaife diffs don't need setting up either - they're designed to be suitable for both. The slight handicap compared to a plate-type diff is they need some resistance to work. Instead of basically locking the wheels together, ideal if you're getting wheels off the ground on a track, they move the power from side to side. If you get a wheel off the ground or snap a driveshaft the other wheel won't spin.

But tbh if it spends most of its time on the road not the track chances are that's an issue you'll never face. Plate type diffs (so I'm told) make clicking/clonking noises around town and make the steering heavier, depending on how they're set up. The Quaife ones are silent, the only time you notice it is when you're working the car hard.

hayesey · October 27, 2009, 08:23:44 PM

I'd pretty much agree with what Alex says but I come from the other side, I've had a couple of plate diffs in my polo, a gemini one and currently a gripper one, both slightly different designs but the same thing really.

I have to say they work great on track but aren't ideal for daily driving, especially low speed manoeuvres. They can also catch you out if you have to lift off mid corner as you get lift off under steer.

A Quaife diff is more expensive but would be a good compromise for a road car.

Yoof · October 27, 2009, 08:30:54 PM

I've not driven a quailfe equipt G40 yet, so it's unfair to make a direct comparison, but the Gripper units are for the hardcore amongst us- big power big grip cars, totally different style of driving is needed with them too.

Lowering the preload on my diff as it's a little excessive, low speed parking isn't too bad with a subframe, horrible without! mine doesn't clunk that badly at all, diff oil is key.

As Hayesey says, Quailfe is more expensive, but more suited to a road car, just not as effective as a plate diff for the track.

dub-disaster · October 27, 2009, 10:16:44 PM

thanks for the input guys has been very helpful info think i will be going with the quailfe one when i put one in my car as i mainly do fast road driving with only a lil track driving so that suits me fine thanks again guys

G-spot · October 29, 2009, 12:41:48 PM

Where are you getting the quaife diff from? I think the diff is the next purchase.

hayesey · October 29, 2009, 04:39:44 PM

I think you buy them direct from quaife. But most were bought in a group buy, not sure if they keep them on the shelf.

Alex · October 29, 2009, 05:54:35 PM

When I bought mine they were available off the shelf, so you may be in luck. I doubt they carry many in stock, but they had a few.

jez1272gt · October 29, 2009, 09:48:38 PM

I would imagine that Quaife willl have at least one or two on the shelf as they fit another VW box aswell iirc?! (Lupo?)

DMWG40 · October 30, 2009, 11:01:54 AM

Quote from: hayesey on October 27, 2009, 08:23:44 PM

I have to say they work great on track but aren't ideal for daily driving, especially low speed manoeuvres. They can also catch you out if you have to lift off mid corner as you get lift off under steer.

I totally agree, mine was great on a track, but could be a pain turning from stationary at lights