OMG, it’s the LSD!

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My S2 Exige has just had the Quaife LSD fitted, done whilst the gearbox was being rebuilt so with everything out, why not slip in an LSD. I know quite a few on here have one.

With the gearbox now fully run-in, I just had the opportunity of a proper test drive where I could give the car the beans. I was curious to see if there was a difference and just how much there would be? I was expecting something, but not significant.

But oh my goodness, what a difference. I’d never really considered one before because an LSD seemed like it had always been downplayed with Lotus saying they didn’t need one. Perhaps they don’t for a number of the Elise/Exige range but from what I’ve just experienced it’s like night and day.

The traction I now get through and out of a corner is extraordinary on my test route. The car holds a tighter line and slingshots itself, you can feel it in action with the power going into the road rather than ebbing away. I’ve only had an initial drive but pleased to report I haven’t experienced much understeer that some people speak of.

I would never have gone for one normally but the opportunity presented itself and I’m so glad I did.

If you’re not doing engine/gearbox work I’d say it’s still definitely worth putting on the wish list if you have the cash lying around.

If you do have your gearbox out then absolutely, stick in an LSD, it’s a no brainer, you won’t be disappointed.

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Glad more people start to experience it. The difference is night and day.

I tried multiple alignments but inside wheel kept spinning. First in duratec conversion with custom made plated diff from elite transmissions in the PG1 gearbox. Now a Kaaz in the , to finish and test, honda conversion.

loved them in my evo, loved it in my 130i and loved it in the duratec converted elise/exige. Honda is going to be awesome to.

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I’ve always had one in my Caterhams which do like to lift the inside wheel on track when exiting corners. On them the understeer was noticeable, especially as it went away as the diff plates wore and the preload was gone. I think it’s full race diffs that make understeer really felt and the car snappy in terrible conditions (where an open diff would just slow you down). My Gt86 had an lsd and that’s very well behaved but you really need slow in fast out to avoid understeer and munching tyres). Overall, if you are spinning the inside wheel you need one. Avoid a full race one unless you are racing and what a rebuild every few k miles.

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