I'm sorta asking this for my brother, but really just cause I'm curious. He's got an '00 with an ATS LSD and 4.54 FD gearset (in Comptech housing, if that makes any difference). Anyway, after a few 25 minute sessions, I noticed his diff was quite a bit hotter than the stock one used to get. Changed the fluid and it looked pretty burnt up (It was fairly new fluid, maybe 2k miles. First replacement since the break-in fluid). Just wondering if anyone else is running the ATS LSD and if heat is an issue, mainly for track events. Fluid can become more costly than a cooler over a year or so if he has to change after every event. Also, if a cooler would be a good idea, anyone have any recommendation on what to get and where to get it?


Modified by jolt-tsp at 2:20 PM 5/12/2005


Modified by jolt-tsp at 2:21 PM 5/12/2005

 

how did you notice that it was getting hotter? pyrometer?

 

I peed on it and it steamed off faster than normal.

What does how I noticed the heat have to do with my question? My question is to those running clutch type LSD's, and the question is, do you notice your diff gets hotter, and if it does, is it to the point where you need an oil cooler?

It seems if some people here don't have an answer for you they question the question instead.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by jolt-tsp &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I peed on it and it steamed off faster than normal.

What does how I noticed the heat have to do with my question? My question is to those running clutch type LSD's, and the question is, do you notice your diff gets hotter, and if it does, is it to the point where you need an oil cooler?

It seems if some people here don't have an answer for you they question the question instead.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I suppose you don't understand my question. Is there a comparison you had, or did you just say to yourself "oh, it's hotter than I recall the other time when I looked and peed on the differential". Validity of data and how you reach your conclusions means quite a bit about your experience and knowledge on the subject.

Otherwise, if you are just looking for a diff cooler - you'll have to make one on your own. I do not know off hand of any out there, nor do I know of anyone, even the stripped and gutted full race S2000's that bother.

What about the fluid that is in it? Can we start there by seeing what you run, or will you come up with some smart *** response because you lack that information too?

 

i don't know of any diff coolers. never was there a need for one. i personally don't even know how you would properly measure diff temp at the track. lift up the car but then so many variables like wind and air temp

 

I don't think that one is necessary since gear oil is super thick (and nasty). I would think that it would take a ton of heat(read; more heat than could be generated on track) to break down the molecules of the oil enough to cause any type of damage. But if you are worried about it and have the money I don't see how it could hurt...well unless something gets thrown into the cooler itself and you start losing oil. Just seems like another liability while on track.

 

hmmm, doesn't an ATS LSD like ATS diff fluid?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Stealth 95 GS-R &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">hmmm, doesn't an ATS LSD like ATS diff fluid?</TD></TR></TABLE>

For break in, definitely. Supposedly as you wear it in you don't need the ATS fluid so much.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 97ShLude &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I don't think that one is necessary since gear oil is super thick (and nasty). I would think that it would take a ton of heat(read; more heat than could be generated on track) to break down the molecules of the oil enough to cause any type of damage. But if you are worried about it and have the money I don't see how it could hurt...well unless something gets thrown into the cooler itself and you start losing oil. Just seems like another liability while on track.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Thats a good point. Something gets thrown up there and cuts in, could be a disaster. He's spent a lot making the drivetrain stronger, so it wouldn't be smart to add a possible fault point unless it was really nessisary.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Bagel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I suppose you don't understand my question. Is there a comparison you had, or did you just say to yourself "oh, it's hotter than I recall the other time when I looked and peed on the differential". Validity of data and how you reach your conclusions means quite a bit about your experience and knowledge on the subject.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

If I had the knowledge I wouldn't ask the question. Actually, whether it was hotter or not has no bearing on the subject, I only mentioned it because that was the situation that brought this topic to mind. My question AGAIN is for people running clutch type LSD's if their diff is getting hotter than before, and if an oil cooler was nessisary for the diff. I'm obviously asking other people to see if they've done the research, so that I can get the data. If I had the means to gather that information I would have posted an informative thread explaining my findings, not asked this question.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Mr. Bagel &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What about the fluid that is in it? Can we start there by seeing what you run, or will you come up with some smart *** response because you lack that information too?</TD></TR></TABLE>

He's run two cycles of ATS fluid and is now switching to a regular fluid from here on out (not sure what the new fluid is exactly). I don't see what this has to do with anything, since most people with this lsd will be running very similar fluids, and should have similar results. It's a pretty simple question that I'm asking. Broken down:

Do you have experiance with a clutch-type lsd?
If so, did the lsd have any heat issues?
If so, did you use a cooler to fix it, or was it not bad enough to require that?

If someone running the same setup isn't having heat problems, then there is nothing to worry about. That's all I'm wondering. I don't mean to be a jerk, but it's a really simple question that doesn't require more info than knowing the diff setup. I don't have the resources to research it on my own. So I'm looking for people with experiance so I can get an easy answer.

 

well, I do have experience with clutch type LSD's, not in S2K's. But I'm sure that the different manufacturers formulate their fluids for their LSD characteristics. Maybe the ATS fluid is supposed to allow just the right amount of slip between the clutch plates. Heck, maybe the fluid is transferring more heat away from the LSD and into the housing...its all just speculation on my part now.