Hey guys,

Well I am in the midsts of changing transmission in my oval track car and before I try a different tranny, should I get the diff welded or leave it open as is?

I am not so concerned about whether or not it will make me faster, I just don't want to have to do this all over again in 2-3 weeks cuz I blew the diff because I didn't weld it.

Thanks for any advice!

 

what is under the hood a D or B series?

 

Sorry

SOHC ZC. Transmission is from a DX.

In a 91 civic


Modified by bake1782 at 4:07 AM 5/18/2008

 

Oh and make sure the rules allow welding the diff.

I havent heard of too many diff problems, just syncro/grinding problems

 

I thought welded diffs were only for drag.

Wouldn't it be really hard on your axles/tires trying to make both spin at the same time when the outside wheel is spinning much fast than the inside?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Wilky &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I thought welded diffs were only for drag.

Wouldn't it be really hard on your axles/tires trying to make both spin at the same time when the outside wheel is spinning much fast than the inside?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes but using it for ovaltrack which is dirt if im correct, and the wheels can slip enough in the dirt to turn fine. you should weld it,

 

Some people say welding diff's are a good thing, and helps put power to the ground because as you're going around the corner, your left front will tend to slip a little, helps put power to the ground. While others say open is better blah blah....ask 10 people, get 10 different answers why you should/shouldn't.


My main concern was whether or not our diff's are strong enough to take the abuse without being welded. If they are decently strong for our rather small motors(no more than 120HP) then I will just put it in without welding it up.

Thanks for the info!


PS. Oval track I'm running at is 3/8 mile asphalt

 

the weak link in the differential is the pinion shaft that goes thru the pinion gears - the one from 92-95 transmission is stronger

 

Don't do it my freind!

Speaking from experience, your car will skip and slide into the turns. But boy will it fly out of em lol!

 

Wouldn't welding the diff just cause massive understeer? I know in rear wheel drive cars it helps get the power down to the outside wheel and make the rear end a little more lively (oversteer)...but in a FWD application you want the front end softer so the front doesn't slide.

Right?


Modified by LowFlyin' at 11:10 PM 5/19/2008

 

ya especially with the tight turns of 3/8th mile oval in asphalt you will be breaking axles or blowing up difs. It will be damn near impossible to turn on asphalt with a dif welded. At least any sort of decent non semi turn.

 

Unless you are making alot of power, you will be fine with the stock diff pin. Anthing under 200 horsepower is just not necessary. It will not break at a stock power level.

Out of curiosity, got any pix of the car? I'd like to see what an oval track EF looks like!

 

Well I put the new transmision in this weekend(was hell, but it's all done now)


and it's not welded.

But here is a picture of the car. Thanks to all for the advice.

 

looks fun

what tranny did you put in it?

I'm curious to how your car compares (in the corners) to the RWD cars I assume you compete with?

 

So awesome.

 

I put in a DX tranny from a 90 Civic.

I had a DX/ZC hybrid tranny in the car and it hit rev limiter about half way down the straights. with the longer gears I now have I should be able to run 2nd gear and hit rev limiter just as I am about to brake.....now I need to get the ECU chipped for I can get a couple extra RPM's so I don't hit limiter


IT's alot of fun so far, however, to answer how it handles against rear wheel drive cars, at my track there is only 1 rear wheel drive mini-stock, and that is an 85 Celica. MOST of the cars I compete against are 95-99 Dodge neons they're pretty quick on our track, but I hope to be able to compete with them eventually.


It is only my rookie year and I have only 2 nights of racing under my belt!

 

just so you know, a welded diff may be much faster than an open one.

I would think you have inside wheel spin in the corners with an open diff...

I have a welded diff on my road race car (89 suzuki swift GTI) and it is much faster than with an open.

Takes some getting used to, and it only makes sense if going over 60mph and if running 10/10ths.

I couldnt afford a proper LSD, so went with the welded. C.V.'s have been fine after a full season, no excessive tire wear....

The car is pretty fast...won once, second another time (both times against jay marlowe who won at the SCCA runoffs this year in GP).