I am wondering how big of a difference the two types of LSDs make on a racetrack. I realize the Viscous is by design slower to react, but is the difference very noticable and to what extent. Thanks

 

On a racetrack, dunno (only driven the viscous on track).

In autox WHICH, arguably, is even more dependent on a LSD, the difference is quite noticeable.

My jello box is no more than a wheelspin limiter. Mash the throttle at the apex and the car will kinda mush its way out of the turn (better than an open diff where it'll SLOW down...).

With a Quaife, the LSD will actually work FOR you, turn the wheel and mash the throttle and the car will turn harder.... in fact, I had to actively pull the wheel out of the turn when I wanted to go straight. It also means you can press the loud pedal seconds before the jello box will let you.

Both experiences were on two different Sentra SE-Rs, one with the stock box and the other with a Quaife.

Andy

 

What he said. Never driven a VLSD on a racetrack though.

 

wow sounds like a viscous is quite lousy.

open for more replies

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by teg92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">wow sounds like a viscous is quite lousy. </TD></TR></TABLE>

Much better than an open.

If they're close to the same price, the decision is simple...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by maxQ &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Much better than an open.

If they're close to the same price, the decision is simple...

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Well situation is, at this point I am plain not serious enough into racing that I can justify a quaife yet, however I would like to improve my car. I am pretty much stuck with a cable tranny in my DA chassis, and currently have a small shaft 88-91 b16a tranny that has the shortest gearing possible for a cable tranny, so I'd like to keep it. However, as far as I can tell, you can't use a Torsen ITR LSD in this configuration, so my only other choice for an LSD was the OEM viscous I picked up for $175. At the time, I didn't even know the difference in operation between viscous and torsion, so I didn't even think of the issue, I actually thought all OEM LSD were gear/torsen type.

After driving a car equipped with an ITR LSD, I just don't know what to expect now, I guess with a viscous there is not going to be that ability to hit the throttle through a corner with all that traction... What I'm gathering is that there will still be wheel spin like an open diff except it will be a little more controlled?

 

My OEM viscous unit simply doesn't transfer enough torque to the outside wheel. While torsen-types aren't an option for my car, my Honda had a Quaife in it, and you could definitely feel the power being transferred to the outside drive wheel. Your best option (performance-wise) awould be a clutch-type LSD (which I will be installing in 4 weeks).

As for on the track performance? It really depends on the track. An upgrade from a viscous to clutch type LSD on my car was about 2 seconds at VIR Full. (Obviously, results will vary)

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by teg92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
What I'm gathering is that there will still be wheel spin like an open diff except it will be a little more controlled? </TD></TR></TABLE>

There will be a little bit of wheelspin but the car won't lose speed like it would with an open diff. You also don't have to modulate the throttle nearly as much... the viscous LSD will do it for you. But it won't accelerate as fast as a more direct LSD.

Will you be doing the install yourself? If so, it's definitely worth it.

 

Yup I will be installing the diff myself, in fact I am in the midst of doing so. Perhaps someone could chime in on another thread of mine in helping me sort out the shim issue.

A clutch type to me just doesn't seem like the best option since I'd have the added worry of clutch life/condition (if buying used), if buying new, the price is almost comparable to buying a quaife, I'd also have the added cost of the additive... I've got no problems believing the clutch type would be better than the viscous, but for that price, I'd definately choose a quaife over a Kaaz.

I suppose the viscous will do the job since the track time I've had with my car has resulted with severe wheel spin out of tight corners, and that was with about 70 less hp than my current engine. I just was surprised to not find any threads of this type when I searched h-t.

Is there a reason honda decided to put a Viscous LSD in the old cable trannies rather then a Torsen type, or was it simply an issue of technology and cost?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by teg92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

88-91 b16a tranny that has the shortest gearing possible for a cable tranny </TD></TR></TABLE>

you are incorrect
the tranny that has the shortest gearing is the 92-93 GSR YS1
a matter of fact it has the shortest gears out of any honda tranny
(not taking in consideration the final drives because the jdm itr has a 4.785 final compared to a 4.4 in the ys1 gsr)

here is a link to prove my statement
gear chart conversions

 

we're going off track here...

http://www.allmotorhonda.com/t...s.htm

can't find the others right now, but that site is not correct. 89-91 should be 88-91. They are also missing the Y1 tranny. anyway gearing is not the issue.

 

Check out http://www.jdmgears.com for Cusco, ATS, Kaaz and Quaife differentials!

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by teg92 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I suppose the viscous will do the job since the track time I've had with my car has resulted with severe wheel spin out of tight corners, and that was with about 70 less hp than my current engine. I just was surprised to not find any threads of this type when I searched h-t.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Don't bother with a viscous diff since it will not be able to handle the heat generated from hard driving. The viscous cuppler basically gets to hot and you start spining the inside wheel...which takes away from letting the car acclerate. During my 5th track weekend, I could smell my viscous diff burning.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Is there a reason honda decided to put a Viscous LSD in the old cable trannies rather then a Torsen type, or was it simply an issue of technology and cost?</TD></TR></TABLE>

No idea... probably for the same stupid reason Honda uses open diffs...