Roundabouts and LSDs

[bpowell555]

Hello peeps

Can someone explain to me in a noob speak what difference an LSD would make to my 325i touring, in particular on roundabouts?!!

I have had a couple of controlled slides - nothing worthy of tiff needell - but one fishtail has quietened me down a bit (only had car for 2 months and other cars all front wheel drive)

Went for a drive last night in the rain and merely "pressing on" on a fairly small roundabout I had a small moment but kept it together. It meant later when I met a 306Xsi on a larger roundabout there was NO FNCKING WAY I was going to try and keep up with him

Am I right in thinking with the standard diff I'll get more snap oversteer that a LSD could make more progressive?

BBS 15s with new toyo proxes and shocks need replacing with bilsteins after 105k from new (wasn't thinking of lowering or new springs but could be persuaded!!!)

Cheers!!!


edit: Does a saloon LSD fit a touring...? ebaaaay!

[bpowell555]

Ok, is this POSSIBLE without an LSD?

[youtube][/youtube]

[gareth]

driving like a cock? certainly is possible without a LSD yes! a saxo would be ideal bruv innit!

however, drifting like in that video will need either a LSD or if you're feeling skint/pikey a welded diff.

i can get (easy peasy) and hold (harder) a slide for a short while with an open diff but for control, handling and any deliverate extended slides (drifting) you'll need a LSD.
which reminds me, i must finish rebuilding my LSD, i'm missing all the fun!

[yeah_mick]

[hoshy]

Looking at the two black lines that touring laid down I think that diff might be welded or modded high lock - stock 25% diff doesn't leave two dark lines, one is usually quite a bit darker.

[bpowell555]

Sorry I forgot to mention that was on a err private roundabout?
I wouldn't mind if it was only when I was driving like a c0ck --- its the fact it can creep up on you on a greasy road when you least expect it

... this one do?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... tsupported



ps. how does it work, does it involve torques?

[hoshy]

That would do the job but you'd be much better with a 3.91 ratio, or even 4.1 if you can find it.

There's a zone wiki page on this: http://e30zone.net/e30zonewiki/index.ph ... fferential and there are some links at the bottom of that page too.

[gareth]

yep, that one's fine. all e30 diffs are interchangable

i think yours would have originally had a 3.91:1 diff so it'll be a little longer geared (more top end, less acceleration) but will have slightly better economy

a LSD will not creep up on you as it won't lock up until you plant the throttle, however a welded diff will be sideways everywhere as it's permanently locked, forcing the inside wheel to slip whenever you corner

[hoshy]

Yeap - to follow on from what Gareth says - a welded diff is not a good plan for daily use. A friend of mine ran a 525 with a welded diff and although he didn't have any major issues you have to be really on the ball every second you're behind the wheel and expect it to munch tyres.

[n1tr0_9]

I didnt find tyres an issue and i did a good 5000 miles in my IS daily driver. It can catch you out though especially when your tired and its raining! It also does ruin the handling, as the car had a tendancy to want to go in a straight line. Its crap over uneven surfaces at speed, ie big sunken man hole covers and grooves in the road from lorries. If you can get an LSD in the right ratio id go for that.

[Boyraceruk]

Yeap - to follow on from what Gareth says - a welded diff is not a good plan for daily use. A friend of mine ran a 525 with a welded diff and although he didn't have any major issues you have to be really on the ball every second you're behind the wheel and expect it to munch tyres.

WRONG!

I hate having this argument with people who haven't driven a daily with a welded diff, so I won't.

[fuzzy]

Yeap - to follow on from what Gareth says - a welded diff is not a good plan for daily use. A friend of mine ran a 525 with a welded diff and although he didn't have any major issues you have to be really on the ball every second you're behind the wheel and expect it to munch tyres.

WRONG!

I hate having this argument with people who haven't driven a daily with a welded diff, so I won't.

so your saying his mate who told him about his own car is wrong? if he says its what it is when he's driving it then who are you to tell him he's wrong?

[gareth]

Yeap - to follow on from what Gareth says - a welded diff is not a good plan for daily use. A friend of mine ran a 525 with a welded diff and although he didn't have any major issues you have to be really on the ball every second you're behind the wheel and expect it to munch tyres.

WRONG!

I hate having this argument with people who haven't driven a daily with a welded diff, so I won't.

WRONG!

I hate having this argument with deluded maniacs who drive a car daily with a welded diff, so I won't

I've had broken planet gears lock up before, effectively locking the diff. great fun, as i'm sure driving while pissed is. however it's not big and it's not clever.

[Dezzy]

Come on not this argument again. Welded diffs are for track use only. That's it end of. Buy a LSD and your car will lock both wheels when needed and handle properly at all other times.

[n1tr0_9]

Come on not this argument again. Welded diffs are for track use only. That's it end of. Buy a LSD and your car will lock both wheels when needed and handle properly at all other times.

Welded diffs are shite for track, as in circuit racing. If by track you mean drift days then i agree.

[Dezzy]

Yes I mean drifting.

[yeah_mick]

i heard welded diffs turn you ito a rapist.....

[georgen]

A LSD will provide better traction compared an open diff, and will be much more predictable when the limit of grip is reached. It will also provide a more fierce breakaway, but will be soo much easier to control.

All in all, the driving experience will be increased due to the predictibility of the LSD set up. That's the reason why there's one getting fitted to my touring right now.

[bpowell555]

georgen,nice one cheers fella Reckon LSD is my new sport recaros

Thanks for the replies folks, NOT potentially losing it chasing a pug306 is reason enough for me, I'd like SOME handling round the twisty bits... :p

[bpowell555]

yep, that one's fine. all e30 diffs are interchangable

i think yours would have originally had a 3.91:1 diff so it'll be a little longer geared (more top end, less acceleration) but will have slightly better economy

a LSD will not creep up on you as it won't lock up until you plant the throttle, however a welded diff will be sideways everywhere as it's permanently locked, forcing the inside wheel to slip whenever you corner

Cheers for the ref gman

[georgen]

Hello peeps




edit: Does a saloon LSD fit a touring...? ebaaaay!

Yes,

All E30 diffs are interchangable. The new diff is the only thing that you'll need to replace. Remember to freshen her up with 1.6 ltr of LSD oil. ONLY use LSD oil, as normal diff oil will bugger a slipper within 1000 miles.

I used Castrol B373 in mine, which was BMW LSD spec oil back in the day. It's avaliable from Montgomery motorsport in N.Ireland.

[bpowell555]

How's this for an update on LSD theory:
http://www.lotustalk.com/forums/f3/lsd- ... post463833

[Morat]

Trail braking in an E30 is pretty heroic stuff from my lowly perspective.... I like to get it all slowed down nice and early.

[m_jermyn]

I just hope you dont kill yourself or someone else....

[E30star]

You're obviously not man enough to have a welded diff, so don't!


But if you want to become GOOD at drifting, you'll take the step to have the diff welded, or buy a 2-way. An old worn out E30 LSD just will not cut it.

If you want to pop round a private roundabout sideways occasionally, then spend lots on an LSD that barely locks.


(I've driven my E30 with a welded diff for 2 years now, so know what it feels like, but I also know that if I WASN'T a drifter, there is no way I'd do it)

[Dezzy]

You're obviously not man enough to have a welded diff, so don't!


But if you want to become GOOD at drifting, you'll take the step to have the diff welded, or buy a 2-way. An old worn out E30 LSD just will not cut it.

If you want to pop round a private roundabout sideways occasionally, then spend lots on an LSD that barely locks.


(I've driven my E30 with a welded diff for 2 years now, so know what it feels like, but I also know that if I WASN'T a drifter, there is no way I'd do it)

Billy big balls here is obviously the biggest man around because he is a drift cocker. It's a lifestlye people you wouldn't understand.

[E30star]

I've actually written some useful information in that post, and been completely honest. It's blunt and straight to the point, but I didn't say 'don't be gay, if you want to drift, get a welder', because you don't HAVE to.


And if I posted using my other username that actually has a decent post count, would you still be slating me? (this is my work account)

[Dezzy]

Yeh of course I would.
If you write sh1t you get slated.

I didn't look at your post count it means nothing. If it's high and this is the sh1t you come out with then I am glad i havent noticed you.

You straight to what point. All I read is the same old sh1t all the drifters alway write. Bollox

[e301988325i]

It meant later when I met a 306Xsi on a larger roundabout there was NO FNCKING WAY I was going to try and keep up with him

Good choice! been there, it's just not safe to push RWD cars sometimes, relax and enjoy the balance.

If you like playing with the rear end, then the best upgrade you can do is fit an E36/E46/Z3 quick rack, this will help you out no end when putting the 'oppo' on!

[m4xos]

if i was you, i would learn with what you got for the moment, just do it in the wet and your be laughing,
then when you get comfortable doing it, you could be brave and buy a lsd or even braver a welded diff,

just remember to feather the accelerator ( what alot of learners dont understand )

[chris_335]

thanks all i'm haveing the same probs as i have a LSD and open and a spear if i wanna weld but just still not sure what to do. i am on the open diff now and have had a quick poke at drifting. 60mm low 205 / 45 15s frount strut. so it grips well in the bendy stuff dont wanna be pushing hard when i put the lsd on and it catch me out i know where i stand with open diff

[yeah_mick]

dont be a pussy, weld the diff and go do some skids.l

[RotE30]

i heard welded diffs turn you ito a rapist.....

LOL! My mum won't let me hang around with welded diffs anymore - bad influence.

[darren1200]

pump you rear tyres up to 50 psi, that makes you go sideways everywhere with out an lsd!

[dazleeds]

gotta love threads like this