my next car will be a manual trnny, and ive bin looking at swap options, a lot of shope mention LSD (limited slip differential) for a lil more $$, i have no idea what that is and if i need it, i tried to google it, but the articles i read manage to confuse me more

thx

 

unless you're gonna track it or auto cross it on a regular basis you don't need it. if you have GT3 for PS2 they have a good explaination for it

or look this up
http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

 

An LSD allows the transfer of torque through the transmission to both wheels. The LSD distributes the torque to the wheels such that the wheels do not slip or spin. The best way to explain it - if you launch your car, only one wheel will spin, the other sits there. An LSD takes the torque from the slipping wheel, and applies it to the stationary one, thus distributing the torque evenly to both wheels, giving more torque to both wheels and consequently added grip as well.

 

do you need it no.

would you want it yes.

what it does basically is give your car more useable grip. simple to understand now?

 

yea i get it now, i dont need it but its good to have..if i have the xtra cash i might just get one.

 

Yep. Without an LSD the power goes to the wheel with the least amount of grip. Ever see a car in the snow spinning one wheel while the other one just sits there? It's called peg legging.

Makes a big difference with corner exits at the tack since you can be on the power a lot sooner. And launching from a standstill. I love my LSD tranny and would have a tough time going back to non-LSD.

 

Honda LSDs, if one wheel has no traction, you will not go anywhere. It'll still just spin withouth power going to the other. One wheel has to have some minimum traction, before most of the power is sent to the other.

Ask me how I know -> Launching too hard = broken axle = push car home

 

Yeah, the factory LSD definately helps but it is easy to overpower it. If I'm not careful I can easily light up the inside wheel at an autocross. It's definately not as good as traction control.

 

I don't think traction control is better, its just differences in the way that clutch type and helical LSDs operate.

 

if ur dragging ull want an LSD. launch harder cuz u wont loose power to the weaker wheel.