How big of a deal is Limited Slip

[ICD]

I know this sounds like a dumb question, but here goes:

I'm looking at buying an 944 S2, and the owner said it had limited slip. The PPI determined it did not have LSD (owner could not find the codes in the trunk). Everything else checked out great, but now I'm trying to decide whether or not to go through with the purchase.

Soooo...am I going to miss LSD? How big of a deal is it with these cars? Should I go through with the deal?

[awilson40]

On an S2 I wouldnt think its a big deal, but on a modified turbo, it really helps to put the power to the pavement.

[Lawrence Coppari]

That would be my advice too.

[Ebs]

I've driven Camaros that just spin the wheels in first gear (automatic gearbox with no brake toquing, just full throttle application) because there is no LSD. If the car puts the power down well I woudn't worry, that said I've never driven an S2.

[ae1969]

Yup I agree with has been said as well.

[andrewgoh]

I have an 84 944 NA with LSD, but not on my 86 951. Can I insall the LSD unit from the NA to the 951?

[Joe Anstett]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but with an open differential you would just spin one wheel and do a one-wheeled burnout. That's the purpose of lockers for offroad applications, to keep both wheels churning instead of just one.

FWIW I don't think any Camaro/Firebirds (at least the V8 powered ones) came with open diffs, pretty sure they all have LSDs.

[1.2gees]

andrewgoh, it's not a good idea to swap the two diffs, as the turbo unit needs to be alot beefier (and the factory ones are).

Joe Anstett, your assumption would be correct on a lot of cars. In a straight line my 944 t will spin both the tires. If your suspension is fairly tight, you shouldn't have too big of a problem spinning the inside tire, around the faster corners (a bigger sway in the front will help a lot, forexample).
Ahmet

[andrewgoh]

1.2gees, thanks for the advice. Good call on the 951 being a "beefier" tranny and not wise to swap LSDs on the trannies.

[1.2gees]

I actually don't even know if it would fit, but the point remains...

I'm thinking about trying to find an S2 transaxle w/the LSD, as it's pretty much a waste of time to try to find a turbo transaxle w/the LSD for less than $1k.
Ahmet

[Techmonkey]

On my current 83 it doesnt have LSD.
On my old just burrned 83 it had LSD.
both N/A's
I have tested one car after another on my semi-country paved road I have pushed both to the limit around an intersection. I feel the car with out LSD slipping with one tire(as well as hearing it spin) where the other pulls through the corner harder without slipping.

[Macfreak007]

yeah, i think that my old car w/ out lsd was sometimes better than the one w/ it, but it seems much easier to control the spinning in the lsd car. I wouldn't say at least in my car that lsd is really that big of a deal. Maybe on a car w/ greater power

[J1NX3D]

http://members.rennlist.com/emcon5/velocity_lsd.pdf

[bogomili]

I love my LSD in the snow

[1.2gees]

Well, I finally found what appears to be a turbo cup transaxle (anybody who can help me w/the transaxle codes, feel free to chime in). I shall update this thread later in the week!
Ahmet

[1.2gees]

So I have finally gotten a chanse to toss around my turbo w/a LSD in it. My first impressions were that it's a lot easier to break traction in the rear, but a lot more controllable. After living w/it for a few days I must say that it's nice to have if you can drive with it. It does let you apply more power down, but I feel like it's happiest when the car's oversteering at about a 5 degree angle. I'm going to have to videotape things again now. Lots of fun!
Ahmet

[ae1969]

... I received mine this week as well (LSD)..... its sitting in a crate in my garage. I can't wait to break the tires loose as well.

[UconnTim97]

I definitely enjoy the LSD in my car...Best handeling car I've ver driven