Differential Types Ranked

"G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3" (gbodyman) 11/09/2017 at 12:11 • Filed to: None

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1: Clutch-type

Pros: Cheap, durable, tuneable, reliable, streetable, works on both accel and decel

Cons: Rebuilding a clutch-type is time-consuming, not as smooth as helic

2: Helical

Pros: Usually the best for FWD, noticeably smoother than clutch-type, durable.

Cons: Not as adjustable as clutch-type, typically one of the more expensive diffs.

3: Torque-Vectoring

Pros: Really good at putting power down, aids in turning, settings can be changed on the fly.

Cons: This is absolutely not a DIY solution, really expensive.

4: Locker

Pros: It can prevent you from getting stuck and dying in the woods.

Cons: All or nothing design compromises streetability.

5: vLSD

Pros: I mean it kinda works as an LSD some of the time?

Cons: Horribly inefficient, wears out quickly.

6: Open

Pros: Cheap, slower lateral rotation than a limited slip makes it easier for n00bs to drive in slippery conditions.

Cons: Getting stuck, traction-deficient in inclement conditions, not being able to put power down, pegleg peels at the dragstrip, the roasting you’ll get from your mates if the open diff is in a RWD car.

Roadster Man > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/09/2017 at 12:16

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Another pro of #6: Minivan burnouts

CobraJoe > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/09/2017 at 12:17

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What about a spool?

crowmolly > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/09/2017 at 12:18

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Call me a diff and I will fucking cut you

just-a-scratch > CobraJoe 11/09/2017 at 12:26

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Watch out for crowmolly. That guy seems unstable.

just-a-scratch > crowmolly 11/09/2017 at 12:28

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Did you see what CobraJoe wrote! Unbelievable! You gonna do anything about it?

bhtooefr > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/09/2017 at 12:30

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And then there’s gerotor pump - because it’s speed sensitive lockup (reacting to a difference in wheel speed rather than wheel torque), it behaves like a faster, much more capable version of a VLSD, and as a result is, as I understand, easier to drive than the other types of actually good LSD.

crowmolly > CobraJoe 11/09/2017 at 12:33

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interstate366, now In The Industry > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/09/2017 at 12:33

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I, and many other 5th gen Prelude owners, can confirm torque vectoring is a maintenance/cost nightmare.

CobraJoe > crowmolly 11/09/2017 at 12:37

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Hey... sweet knife dude...

Please don’t snap an axle.....

*turns quickly around to run away

CobraJoe > just-a-scratch 11/09/2017 at 12:40

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shhh! don’t stir it up!

Saracen > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/09/2017 at 13:25

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VLSD’s also have a limit to how much torque they can handle.

I remember an issue of Sport Compact Car where they super sticky tires on their VLSD-equipped 350Z. The diff could not overcome the traction of the tires, and the viscous fluid sheared and broke down.

Because of this I think VLSD’s are great for Subarus that will actually be used in low-traction conditions. But not for real performance applications.

My bird IS the word > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/09/2017 at 13:27

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!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

Pros: DOOOOOOORIIIFFFTOOOOO!

Cons: Senpai may still not notice you.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Saracen 11/09/2017 at 14:07

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To be fair, GM G80 10-bolts also have a limit to how much torque they can handle, but the result is slightly different.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > My bird IS the word 11/09/2017 at 14:07

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If it’s welded, is it really a diff?

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > crowmolly 11/09/2017 at 14:09

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I make the same argument about welded and mini-spool. If it doesn’t function as a diff, it doesn’t count as a diff.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > CobraJoe 11/09/2017 at 14:11

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If it doesn’t work as a diff, it doesn’t count as a diff.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Roadster Man 11/09/2017 at 14:11

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Yeah but a good helical in a Minivan can make for some interesting two-tire fires.

Roadster Man > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/10/2017 at 09:07

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I didn’t know that- I only drove a Chrysler Town & Country...

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Roadster Man 11/10/2017 at 10:47

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There’s this dude who used to be semi-local to me who had an SRT4-swapped Voyager with the Quaife diff. It was a riot.

19JRC99 > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 11/12/2017 at 08:27

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“Posi-Trac on a Plymouth”

*eye twitch*

It’s Sure Grip.

Although, I guess not knowing does fit the character.

That movie was great anyways.

YA LIKE THEM SPINNIN’ TIRES, DO YA?!

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > 19JRC99 11/12/2017 at 11:04

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I have the same reaction when someone says that their Mustang has a posi. Either way, limited slips are awesome.