Wavetrac LSD??

[Slider79SC]

Has anyone used or had experience with the new Wavetrac LSD's? They look pretty good but I would like to hear from anyone that has one.

Going in a 993 G50 6spd with a 400hp turbo engine.

Thanks

[Peterfrans]

Subscribing. I am also interested in the pro's and cons of this LSD. Could not find any experience from the Porsche crowd as it seems to be mostly used in VW's

[billybek]

I saw their ad in Excellence last month and had a look at their website today.
The price is pretty reasonable. Wavetrac® Differential - A torque biasing differential with a difference
I wonder if some of the pros could weigh in on this one.

[cgarr]

A quick search looks like a lot of the BMW's are using them on the track.

[village idiot]

Lifetime transferable warranty, good price, built by Moser...........sounds good

[chris_seven]

The main issue with Limited Slip Diffs is chosing the optimum solution for a specific application.

Torsen type diffs do have some advantages over plate type differentials.

They are less prone to wear, quiet in operation and quite smooth in their action.

They can also be designed to provide a higher Bias Ratio than a plate type diff so they can be better on slippy surfaces.

The problem with Torsen Type diffs is that they have no Bias when a wheel is unloaded as sees zero torque and they they have no bias on coast (ie trailing throttle).

I discussed the Wavetrac at some length during a recent Race Car Show but didn't really get great answers.

I understand that Bias Ratios of about 4:1 are typical and this is similar to the Quaife unit.

I also understand that they maintain some bias when there is zero torque on one wheel, which is an improvement on the Quaife.

I also see that it is possible to modify the 'preload' by using plates which is another difference between a typical Torsen and this uint.

I am not convinced that they have any torque bias on a Trailing Throttle (Coast) which is a major disadvantage when it comes to a Porsche Race Car. I aksed the question but the answer really described the zero torque condition.

Many people in UK seem to like the Quaife unit as it will improve traction on wet roads but it doesn't tend to introduce to much understeer as it effectively has zero preload. IIf you increase the static preload you will begin to introduce some understeer)

It doesn't, however, have any effect on Trailing Throttle Oversteer (TTO) as it has no torque bias in the coast condition and this limits its value for track use.

A plate diff with a shallow coast ramp will help to stop the unloaded inner rear wheel from locking and allow the brake bias to be moved rearwards which will shorten stopping distances.

If I had to choose I would still pick a Plate diff for track use and units made by Drexler Motorsport and X-Trac (Xtrac - Transmission Technology) are very good.

For Road use I think the Quaife is great value as the cost (at least in the UK is relatively low)

I am sure the Wavetrac is also very good but I am not sure it offers great advantages over the Quaife depending on the cost difference. If it were the same price I would think its a good buy.

[sjf911]

The links to the Porsche diff's on their website are not working. I wonder if they are still in "developement".

[winders]

For a Porsche, I'd stick with Guard Transmission clutch-type LSD......

Scott

[Slider79SC]

Thanks for the info so far, too bad no one has any hands on experience with these yet......

[Slider79SC]

I sent emails to Drexler Motorsport and Xtrac requesting information and pricing, I will let you all know what I hear back.

[sjf911]

I noticed that IMGT3 offers the Quaife for $1271 making the choice a little more interesting.

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[pavulon]

No personal experience but remember reading early units had some considerable issues with noise followed closely by diff failure. Not sure if this is true of recent wavetrac diffs or not. I'll post if I find the stuff I read.

[DG624]

I talked with Autotech about the Wavetrac and they said that it is similar to the Quaffie but stays engaged in breaking and provides more connection during coasting. Good for VWs and front wheel drive. I have also talked to Porsche shops that don't like Torsen typs LSDs for Porsche but it is still not clear why. I was looking for a LSD for my 86 Carrera but want to maintain the best connection to the road.

[sjf911]

I just bought one, I'll let you know if it works.

[Slider79SC]

Thanks Steve, how soon are you installing it?

[Jeff Alton]

Guard LSD for track use....... Getting lock up under decel is important to me.

Cheers

[chris_seven]

Originally Posted by DG624

I have also talked to Porsche shops that don't like Torsen typs LSDs for Porsche but it is still not clear why

The vast majority of Torsen Type LSDs behave exactly like an open diff on a trailing throttle and only provide an improved traction on the power side and I think this is of lmited (no pun intended) value.

The plate diff, particularly with a 20 degree coast ramp, will prevent lock up of the inside rear wheel under heavy braking and will help to significantly reduce the trailing throttle oversteer.

As Jeff says keeping a decent level of torque bias under decel is the main reason for fitting an LSD in a 911.

Wavetrac don't seem to be able to specify the torque bias under decel conditions and this must be a concern.

Unless thay can provide a bias factor of around 2.5:1 on the coast side I would stick with a plate diff.

[kundensport]

i run one in my 914-6GT, i like it a lot
Hans

[sjf911]

I don't track my car but I am putting more than 350 HP through the 915 resulting in a lot of wheel spin on acceleration so I am not really concerned about braking effects. I am doing this a part of a general improvement of the 915 with the addition of a billet bearing plate and billet differential side plate with replacements of all bearings and likely a pinion bearing race repair.

[chris_seven]

Originally Posted by sjf911

I don't track my car but I am putting more than 350 HP through the 915 resulting in a lot of wheel spin on acceleration

Interesting - I don't think an LSD will help much with wheelsin off the line but should be good at stopping the inside wheel spinning out of corners.

The Quaife will typically give a torque bias of about 4:1 in this situation and I would guess a Wavetrac will be similar.