need LSD information

[pc]

I am looking at getting an LSD for the rolla and I don't know much about the differences between LSD types.
I have heard that viscous LSDs are not very good for race and get tired over time & require replacment. But I don't know anything about helical/torsion/ATB vs clutch plate LSDs & advantages/disadvantages.

I have driven a FWD with a very agressive clutch pack LSD and it felt terrible unless cornering very hard with the foot down. This LSD sent huge shock loads through the drive train when driving normally and the car has snapped 2 axles as a result. I'm not after something this 'nasty' but I am looking for something with a very 'positive' power to the ground feel.

Can someone with some 1st hand LSD experience give their thoughts? This car will be raced on grass/dirt/mud/gravel/good seal/bad seal/track & driven to/from events.

[Mr Revhead]

what are you inteding to use it for?
it sounds as though a helical type is for you
what type of corolla is it?

[pc]

Opps just edited my post, it's the AE82 as in my profile.

[neo]

I too wish to know the driving differences between a cutch type and helical type lsd in a FWD

[Mr Revhead]

a helical type isnt as harsh engaging as a clutch pack, they suit a FWD alot better for road use.

[flygt4]

pc you may want to wait until andrew has his lsd in his ae82 and see how that feels.
or wait until i get my car back to compare as it has a slightly less aggressive clutch pack lsd than warrens car. i hav yet to break a cv or axle
traction is excellent for the amount of power , and it only requires a little bit of care on full lock turns. i think you'll find if you're not stupid and dont drop it from silly revs at full lock you wont have any issues

[TRD Man]

pc, if you were only using your car on seal I would agree with Warwick and recommend the torsion LSD. Only from the viewpoint that it's supposedly a bit easier on the rest of your transmission etc... and a bit less noisey/more comfortable.
However there's nothing wrong with using a plate type LSD on road or for seal racing and it's a better unit for loose work.
As they come out of the box they're set up rather loose and not difficult to drive.

On our rally car we had the LSD shimmed up to the point of almost not being able to break it on the bench.
And yes, at speed in a rally stage it required extra aggression. But during regular road use you'd hardly have noticed the difference.

The other plusses are that when you get more experience you can tighten it up to suit yourself and that if/when it gets a bit worn you can buy a new set of clutches.
So we recommend this unit strongly for all kinds of motorsport (in fact it's the only one we stock for that reason).

I'd be surprised if the LSD was the reason for your axle breakages so I'd strongly suggest you check this out before installing the LSD.
From the hundreds of TRD LSD's we've sold we've only ever had 2 failures. Both were FWD Corolla rally cars and both broke ramps. It was interesting that one car had been built from a wreck and the other had a major shunt prior to the LSD being installed. We suspected some distortion in the housing contributed to these failures.

Both cars ran the LSD's as 1.5 way which is how they arrive. Although we had sold dozens of this model which ran without failure in the 1.5 way mode we now recommend that all FWD LSD's are changed to 2 way before installation.

Feel free to call me for any more info but certainly for your usage I'd recommend the plate type LSD.

cheers
Bruce