..so are LSDs any good, or is this one mod purely for racers

[Tam Lin]

Now that my 924S is about as light as it's going to be, given my particular set of compromises, and about as powerful as it's going to be, given its 944 S2 drivetrain and braking system, the next mod to save up for is an LSD, either Guard or Kaaz.

Thing is, it's been a long path to get the amount of grip front to rear to my liking, i.e. to dial out the understeer without odd side effects, and I don't want to spoil this. And, TBH. the grunt from a M44/41 is not exactly fearsome in quantity, nor spiky in nature, so I'm wondering if an LSD isn't a waste of time.

Of those who have retrofitted an LSD, does it make a worthwhile (i.e. £1.2k) difference
a) on road
b) on track?

 

[944 man]

Youre on the right track if youre looking at a clutch-type differential; as opposed to a Quaiffe ATB type. Next you need to decide how much it locks and whether it locks as you decellerate; and by how much. To a large degree this depends on your application; with hillclimbimg, sprinting and road use favouring a 1.5 type (so if you have 60% locking on acceleration youll get 30% on decelleration). I believe that the Kaaz units that Kev sells are 1.5s too, but they certainly seem to work well in EMC cars. The Guard diffs were very nice, but they used to be a shared application part and the price was prohibitive. I had read that a 944/968 specific part was being developed which should make the price more realistic, although I havet seen one.

Simon

 

[Neil Haughey]

Is the KAAZ one from another car? Reason I ask is that I can't find it anywhere on lists of KAAZ differentials. Perhaps its turned around and the 1.5 means plenty of lock up on deceleration and half as much on acceleration? Personally I find the attraction of being able to trail brake into corners more of a "want" then the extra traction out of corners.

 

[Tam Lin]

Does anyone on here have the Kaaz in a 944?
Has it caused understeer?
Does it overheat?
Is it A Good Thing?

 

[edh]

Maybe you'd get some comments on the 968 forum? - they may be more likely to have fitted aftermarket LSD's?

The Guard LSD gets the thumbs up on Rennlist - but the $ rate isn't so favourable these days..

I don't know who has driven a 944 with & without LSD - maybe Big Dave? Peter Empson?

Trail braking is very useful on my 944 turbo - without it I find it understeers too much. I didn't notice this on my 924S - but things happened a lot slower in that car.... []

 

[appletonn]

ORIGINAL: edh

Maybe you'd get some comments on the 968 forum? - they may be more likely to have fitted aftermarket LSD's?

The Guard LSD gets the thumbs up on Rennlist - but the $ rate isn't so favourable these days..

I don't know who has driven a 944 with & without LSD - maybe Big Dave? Peter Empson?

Trail braking is very useful on my 944 turbo - without it I find it understeers too much. I didn't notice this on my 924S - but things happened a lot slower in that car.... []

I second the trail braking thing and after the tuition at the January trackday at Oulton, I can almost do it properly....[8|][]

 

[Peter Empson]

I'm still don't have an LSD, traction is so good with my very stiff setup that I haven't seen the need yet, but it's on the list to be done fairly soon. The Kaaz unit in Paul F's tango mobile seemed very good from the passenger seat, but I will hunt down some more information on the Guards unit (the new cheaper one) before deciding which way to go.

 

[Big Dave]

It ALL depends what the car is going to be used for..
If its Track-road, then fit one, if its road-track dont bother...
I had a plate diff [ removed from a 944 turbo ] fitted into my car along with the oil cooler etc, its was good BUT on the road it was "snatchy". Ie if pulling out of a junction [90deg] it would send shudders through the car as the plates locked up limiting the slip,,[ As it should]..
A m8 of mine has a torson diff in his 968 + he gets none of this snatching. BUT im not sure if anybody does a "quaife" type [torson diff for a 944 box...]...The diff from a 944 wont fit a 968 box...+ vice versa...
His doesnt lock up under braking either, where mine does...
BUT
On track it was FAB... Yes it did promote understeer when powering out of the bends, but you just drive round that + adjust your style...And you have to be carefull changing down the box aswell, as if you let the clutch out whilst turning it, the rear end will lock up, spining you round...
I cant realy comment on what the Torson diff is like on track as i havnt realy spent enough time driving a car with one fitted...
If you get a used 944 turbo plate diff, be prepared to refubish it, as some of the plates may well be worn out and scratched / scored...

 

[Neil Haughey]

Quaiffe do an ATB for the 944.

 

[944 man]

They do, but the Quaife diff costs about the same as the Kaaz from EMC.

 

[Neil Haughey]

I would pay a lot more for a decent plate diff anyway, the ATB/torsen type only seem to do half the job from what I can see.

 

[Big Dave]

ORIGINAL: Neil Haughey

I would pay a lot more for a decent plate diff anyway, the ATB/torsen type only seem to do half the job from what I can see.

Thay might only seem to do "half a job" but they are easier to both live + drive with, especially if its a duel purpose car....

 

[Neil Haughey]

and of course they don't seem to wear out.