LSD and acceleration

[ConR]

Hopefully not a stupid question. Still fairly noob to the mod game. Will an LSD reduce wheel spin on takeoff?

Apart from sticky tyres, are there any other mechanical mods that would help reduce spin on a FWD car?

Appreciate any info!

[noone]

No responses?

I'll have a go.

If you think about the basics of what is happening when you make the wheel turn fast enough to break traction, there are a number of factors. Tyres are probably number 1 as these form the link between the power and the bitumen. The suspension will work to keep the wheel planted, but also offer comfort, etc. stiffer suspension is often helpful in this area. The geometry of the suspension makes a big difference to how the car will react when a wheel starts to slip. As you likely know, the LSD limits the difference between the rotation of the wheels which is probably more relevant in powering out of a corner than straight line as the weight distribution is uneven across the 2 tyres in question.

Summary; sticky tyres and struts that are designed for traction are good. Lower tyre pressure may help increase the surface contact of the tyre on the bitumen.

[wai]

A LSD limits the relative slip between the left and right driving wheels. It does not limit overall slip and give more traction. It just makes sure that the wheel that the wheel that has traction is able to make use of that traction.

[Gigitt]

eat more cheeseburgers... more weight more traction

[kai_h]

In some cases, yes, a LSD will allow you to launch faster.
With a normal open diff, when you launch and one wheel breaks traction, then it will spin and very little to zero torque will be going to the wheel that has traction. This is why when you see a burnout, there's usually only one wheel mark, not two.

A LSD will ensure that if one wheel starts to slip then more torque is sent to the other wheel that has traction. If you launch hard enough though, both wheels will start slipping. A LSD will provide more traction when launching as you need to generate enough torque to get both wheels spinning, whereas with an open diff, you only need enough torque to get one of the wheels spinning...

[ConR]

Hey thanks for the info here everyone. I'm thinking the cost/benefit ration for an LSD isn't probably as effective as a set of sticky tyres or a control arm would be!

[Njay]

Doesn't the scirocco have an electronic Lsd?

Sent from my HTC Desire HD A9191 using Tapatalk 2

[bennjamin]

Having dealt with cars with OE LSDs (helical) and also researched quite abit with the main alternatives for golfs in general ( quaife , peloquin and wavetrac) there is no disadvantage in having it , only advantages which includes better behaved acceleration.What I refer having a proper 1 way or better LSD will help accelerate / put the power down to both wheels in more situations than a open/electronic diff.

Obvious advantages are spirited driving , track work etc. If your car is a drag car then look at a locked diff !


So , to help with the OP question - in an ideal situation and ideal launch - a LSD will not increase acceleration as its no lighter or different geared etc.
In most real life instances tho a car equipped with a LSD will out accelerate a non LSD equipped car


PS I am looking at a mfactory helical LSD with my next clutch install - quaife alternate - should be the goods

[Ryan_R]

There's been a couple of times when pulling out of a side street onto a main road I'll experience the negatives of not having a good dif - I always assumed that GTI's XDL would fix that in itself.

[bennjamin]

There's been a couple of times when pulling out of a side street onto a main road I'll experience the negatives of not having a good dif - I always assumed that GTI's XDL would fix that in itself.

AFAIK At no point does the electronic lock like a actual mechanical LSD - so on normal driving and normal surfaces you will still feel torque steer or wheel spin etc. Only on slippery surfaces as said below does it kick in

Here is some tech blurb about it

The electronic differential lock allows smooth, comfortable starts on slippery or loose road surfaces. If one wheel starts to spin, the electronic differential lock will brake the wheel as necessary, directing power to the wheel with greater traction. The electronic differential lock reduces tyre wear and is active up to a speed of about 25 mph (4MOTION: up to approx 50 mph). It is an integral component of our electronic stabilisation programme (ESP) and traction control (ASR)

So , having a mechanical LSD (be is torsen/helical or plate style) is able to engage at any RPM or speed - where the VW electronic diff (lets call it traction control) only works up to 25mph.