LSD vs. Locked Diff for E36 328i

[jeff_denning]

Hey guys,

As some of you know, S///Mon and myself recently bought an E36 328i 1997 to turn into our track car.

One of the first things we're looking to do, apart from stripping her out, is put in an LSD.

We did some calling around today, and a proper limited slip diff goes for between R3k and R6k. A bit pricey, but then S///Mon gave one of his mates a shout who offered to lock the diff by welding something or other in the diff.

Which is the better option here? Noted here, that most of the time the car will be on the track and won't be driven around the roads a lot.
Advise is appreciated

 

[Sankekur]

I would not go for a fully locked diff as it will cause a great deal of trouble when cornering with the car at anything but very low speeds and it will probably cause excessive amounts of suspension wear in the very least. Rather keep the diff open and save up for a LSD.

 

[moranor@axis]

from what i know welded diff also break the welds often so you will have to keep re-welding it... get the lsd if you want to make a track car welded diffs are more suited to drifting...

 

[CLASSICMAN]

LSD is the best option.

Lock diff will result in serious understeer when you put the power down in corners. The diff will want to push the car in a straight line whist you are trying to turn. You can change your driving style to counter a lot of this though.

You can run effectively without either of these options if you understand why you are losing traction. Invariably in a corner, the inside rear wheel loses weight due to body roll. If you can minimise this, the less chance you have of lifting the wheel and therefore losing traction. The suspension plays a big role here and you need to eliminate the body roll. Shortening and stiffening the springs as much as you can and running decent shocks will make a major difference to this.

Hope this helps.

 

[sidewayz]

LSD for sure

 

[moranor@axis]

actually the lsd is a no brainer because you want a short gear ratio for the track anyway so you may as well just get the lsd with the ratio you want...

 

[SoulBladeZA]

Lol at locked diff :hammerhead::hammerhead::hammerhead::hammerhead::hammerhead::hammerhead:

 

[Skwinty]

I have driven a car with a welded diff, it hops skips and jumps around corners unless one of the drive wheels is in the air.

That doesn't happen very often though.:excited:

 

[ekseniks]

Either way, good luck with that track car project and when its done we want dates and times of when we can see her out in her natural habitat rocking the track :excited:

 

[killua]

I have driven a car with a welded diff, it hops skips and jumps around corners unless one of the drive wheels is in the air.

That doesn't happen very often though.:excited:

+1, gocarts have the same issue with their solid axle. They have to go fast enough through the corners to cock the inner wheel.

 

[STREETRACER]

Lock diff only good for sideways cornering!! It will cause un expected sideways fun at almost every corner!!! And if you brake a sideshaft or universal we will scrape you from the barriers!!
Start with an open diff and a shorter ratio!! It much easier to handle through the twisties! As your driver skills progress you can save up for a l/s unit!! 3k for an l/s is a bargain!!! Quaffe is R8500 for tipe 188 and R14k for E46!

 

[jeff_denning]

Thanks for all the advise guys! Much appreciated.
LSD it is I guess

Let the saving begin