Targa NL/limited slip front diff ?

[paulneartarga]

First of all........Hey guys and Season's Greetings!

No news from NL worth reporting since I was on here last other than I co-drove in this.....
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l123/WRXabbott/TargaEscort.jpg
Targa 2010.Where we managed to catch fire at about 170KPH!Coming out of Leading Tickles.Only to wreck the jewel of a engine,UK spec S-2000 with 9200RPM redline.

And I've bought this for my play/race toy.....
http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l123/WRXabbott/IMG_2805.jpg

http://i95.photobucket.com/albums/l123/WRXabbott/IMG_2808.jpg

I consider it to be very similar to my old '06 WRX WRT powertrain......in that its 260HP,all wheel drive with a limted slip rear diff.

My question is......I'm planning to go up to about 350HP and was wondering what effects on handling/braking will result if I install a limted slip front diff?

Or should I just leave it open like it is now?

[STeveD]

That's a nice new car, Paul! I love the look. Like a GC Impreza... :-)

[paulneartarga]

Thank you.

There was a guy who parked a Legacy right next to it the other day and the fronts looked almost exactly the same.

[oldguy]

Paul:

You need to decide on your primary application.

Consider a plated 2-W diff if it is a pure dirt application.

Consider a plated 1.5-W diff if it is a nixed dirt/tarmac application OR if it is a 100% tarmac application and if you have the suspension and experience to use a 1.5-W.

Consider a Torsen (helical) if it is smooth race track application and IF you can stay off the curbs. A Torsen is easier to drive than a plated front diff BUT it won't provide the traction that a plated diff can provide.

An open front diff is useless in situations where a front wheel might lift OR if it is slippery (dirt, wet tarmac, bumpy dry tarmac, dry tarmac with crap tires OR crap suspension). Having said that, though, a helical pretty much sucks under those conditions too.

~~~

Do a ton of research AND THEN call someone who has PROVEN that they can build AWD racing gearboxes for a living. The name Dave Anton comes to my mind.

Otherwise you'll end up with free advice from wankers like me. And in racing, anything that you get for nothing is worth exactly what you paid for it.

Rob

[paulneartarga]

I forgot to say.......the RS version of my car(mine is the "street" GSR version)came with a factory limited slip front diff.That is what I would source for mine.

Are there any downsides or strange handling effects I should watch out for?

[STeveD]

I've heard Alain and others complain that their '04 STi Front diffs (Suretrac units) have more understeer than an open front diff. A 2 way should induce more understeer on tarmac as well, from what I understand.

[Chris_Martin]

Do not go with too stiff of a front diff unless you have lots and lots of power.

I put a clutched LSD in the front of my 5-spd and actually took things back apart to "stack" it differently, so that it was a bit weaker.

I would look towards upgrading the centre diff and rear diff first.

I think those Mitsu's used a viscous diff in the centre, and that should certainly be upgraded. The thing is not binding when you turn, then it's not tight enough.

I'm not sure what was in the back, but by now it's probably good and worn out, and should need stiffening up.

Once you do these, then think about the front. And i'd be going with a 1.5 way, clutched diff that is not set up too stiff.