On Limited Slip Differentials

[Elanlover]

Jim Kenzie is a local (to Toronto, Ontario, Canada) automotive journalist with 30 years experience and some decent international exposure. In last weekend's paper he wrote a lengthy article about the Exige S 240 which will be available in Canada for the first time in 2008. In reviewing the car in Nevada he had a chance to talk with Nick Adams, program manager for Lotus sport. When asked about the lack of an LSD in the Exige S 240 Nick's comment was that Lotus didn't believe in them. Further, and I quote:

"An LSD detracts from steering sensitivity in a straight line and increases understeer in tight corners. We make it available for those who do a lot of autocrossing in their cars."

Just thought it was an interesting statement.

[Enright]

"An LSD detracts from steering sensitivity in a straight line and increases understeer in tight corners. We make it available for those who do a lot of autocrossing in their cars."

Just wondering out loud - do you think that applies to FWD as well as RWD?

[ailwyn]

My first thought was whether he was specifically talking about RWD, or making a broad statement.

[Here Welsh Tree Rot]

He must be talking RWD because my first thought was what orifice is Kenzie talking out of, they just induce torque oversteer on FWD cars.

[Enright]

He must be talking RWD because my first thought was what orifice is Kenzie talking out of, they just induce torque oversteer on FWD cars.

Huh?!?

[Sy V]

He must be talking RWD because my first thought was what orifice is Kenzie talking out of, they just induce torque oversteer on FWD cars.

Fascinating statement. And not the first time I've heard this factor alluded to.
When I was planning fitting an ATB (Quiaffe's preferred name for their LSD) to my Elan, Paul Matty suggested that it would have a detrimental effect. He used the term 'torque steer', which I assume to be the same thing.
This said, I cannot lay witness to ever having encountered such a phenomenon.

[Elanlover]

He must be talking RWD because my first thought was what orifice is Kenzie talking out of, they just induce torque oversteer on FWD cars.

Uhmm..........if you re-read the quote you'll see it is the Lotus program manager making that statement, not the journalist. And since they were talking about the Exige they were most certainly referring to the effects on a RWD car.

[Here Welsh Tree Rot]

Sorry, I quoted the wrong person.
Safwn ar y cyd erbyn Saesneg drais.

[theelanman]

Safwn ar y cyd erbyn Saesneg drais.

something about being against english oppression

[Elanlover]

Aren't we all against English oppression??

[paulrwebster]

Sorry, I quoted the wrong person.
Safwn ar y cyd erbyn Saesneg drais.

I believe that this translates as "Do not get your wheels restored by a welshman"

[Monty]

Sorry, I quoted the wrong person.
Safwn ar y cyd erbyn Saesneg drais.

I believe that this translates as "Do not get your wheels restored by a welshman"

[Jackonicko]

but since only 140 people could read it without reference books........

I'm not implying that Welsh is a language that would be dead were it not being featherbedded.....

[Enright]

And here was I hope that by now someone would have had something constructive to add to this:

He must be talking RWD because my first thought was what orifice is Kenzie talking out of, they just induce torque oversteer on FWD cars.

Fascinating statement. And not the first time I've heard this factor alluded to.
When I was planning fitting an ATB (Quiaffe's preferred name for their LSD) to my Elan, Paul Matty suggested that it would have a detrimental effect. He used the term 'torque steer', which I assume to be the same thing.
This said, I cannot lay witness to ever having encountered such a phenomenon.

Yes the joke was funny, but can we get back on topic now please?

[DeeAitch]

When I first fitted my Quaife the first thing a good mate said was 'Lots of Torque steer now'!
And he was correct - sort of.
IMHO I'ts not torque steer in the conventional sense. For me torque steer is when it pulls to one side on hard accel and back again on decel - lots of FWD's i've driven do this although not as much as the old days now that most have caught on and have equal length driveshafts.

The ATB can feel like it is darting left to right under hard accel, particularly on a bumpy surface - not just to one side which you would expect with torque steer - as it keeps driving one wheel even if the other is struggling for grip. An open diff would just spin the wheel with less grip and you feel no steering effect.
I'ts all very controllable but you need to be awake. Maybe not to all tastes. For sure there are times when I don't like it.
Having said that ATB has saved me a few times on twisty roads - if you keep the power on in a tight turn the line tightens i.e. less understeer which I guess = a 'feeling' of oversteer?

As LGM has said, try turning under power from a standing start, e.g T- junction, uphill on a wet surface. Stock will spin the inside wheel, with little power going to the outside wheel - ATB just goes

Try and drive one first - it is a lot of work (and dosh) to fit.

[Nige]

Exactly my experience of the Quaife as well.