Need for LSD?

I have driven an lsd in my 911 and in my 951 turbo.  I have driven a 951 turbo without as well.  Couldn't tell you what the difference is.  Except for cost!

My "Old Guy" opinion is this:

 

If you're planning to seriously race it, then you might consider an LSD.

 

If it's a street car and you're over 50, then you may nevah, evah see/feel the difference (because you'll never push it that hard).

 

You planning on hunting "Ricers" with that thing? 

If you want it to accelerate, brake, and come out of corners truly as well as it can and can justify the expense then go for it. As I understand it, an lsd helps tame a rear engined car's tendency to oversteer just a little bit. And as Gordon said (and Todd alluded to), unless you become good at pushing the car to close to it's limits you may never know it's there. It would be the complete package, though...Al 

Thanks, guys.

 

So far, the benefits look worth it, even for a someone over 50.  Hey, Gordon, most of us are, aren't we ?  And hunting Ricers sounds like fun.

 

I need to find out the costs involved, and that will help me decide if I need that complete package...

 

Cheers.

That's the spirit!

Bob, you mentioned a while back that you plan on taking your new IM to the track.  If you still plan on doing that I'd strongly recommend going with a LSD unit.

You may not notice the lack of LSD on the street but you will on the track.

I thought this post was going to be a discussion on drug abuse.

 

Agree with Gordon.  LSD is needed for straight line 0-60 and pulling hard out of corners.  You can actually have a lot of fun coming out of corners without an LSD with that one tire smoking, you just won't come out of that corner as fast.  Even with a 165 hp Suby I think I'd skip it.  But the ultimate car probably needs the ultimate tranny.  Get it.

Yes.

I forgot if my 915 was ordered with that, How would I know?

 

The boxes of women's shoes from Amazon would have started arriving by now.

 

 

 

 

Your right Mitch, I'm sure I don't have an LSD.

Marty you should definitely find out cause you are going to need one.  Try to find your spec sheet on the tranny.  If you did not specify it you likely don't have one.  Usually cost at least $2500 more for a vw 4 speed.  915 probably more.  As far as driving goes, if you pop the clutch, without an LSD one tire will spin and car will usually not drift to the side.  With an LSD it will be much harder to cut both tires loose and when they do the rear will usually drift.  In some ways the non LSD car is safer since one rear tire is always connected to the road even if the other tire is spinning.  Cornering with an LSD you will be able to power through corners with much greater speeds since both tires will be connected to the road but when you reach that highest level of adhesion...watch out you're sideways.

I think you should take it a whole 'nutha level past the LSD and go PCP! 

 

But if you go TOO far past that, then your ride will be NFG and then its AMF to your wallet! 

....or without LSD Bob will be SOL.

Ha, you guys are funny!

 

In a Spyder, it's so light that usually both break loose at the same time. Unless, you are on a slightly gravel-dusted parking lot AutoX course, in the wet. Then you REALLY have to tip-toe and manage the throttle, 'cause if you are spinning, you ain't winning!

 

Your car, Bob, with all that juice, well, yeah, if you can afford it.

Agree Danny.  Sliding the rear end of a spyder around never made me break a sweat.  Counter steer, a little throttle and everything just straightens out.  Easy peasy.  Unfortunately the 356 does not have those neutral handling characteristics.  Break 2 wheels loose while you're diving into a corner and you'll be looking where you came from.  The only reason why new tail heavy 911s don't do that is because of sophisticated computer controlled traction control systems.  Our traction control system is called our right foot.  Henry tries to move the 911 engine as far forward as possible to decrease the rear weight bias.  He also puts crazy wide rubber on the 911 cars.  Those wonderful spyder handling characteristics are what made me think about selling my 356 and get another spyder.  Just too many other really good reasons to keep the 356.  Though I do miss the hair on fire thing.

"Your car, Bob, with all that juice, well, yeah, if you can afford it."

 

Danny, you hit the nail on the head - $$$.  You can just get into an upward spiral building one of these cars, and every decision seems to add a few (?) dollars more.

 

I'm still checking prices, but so far, it ain't cheap.