Explain the benefits of limited slip diff?

[veuxx]

Why is this so important versus regular differential?
Wiki benefits aren't very clear why a non off road car cares about this

Wikipedia

The main advantage of a limited-slip differential is demonstrated by considering the case of a standard (or "open") differential in off-roading situations where one wheel has no contact with the ground. In such a case (with a standard differential), the non-contacting wheel will receive 100% of the power, while the contacting wheel will remain stationary. The torque transmitted will be equal at both wheels, and therefore, will not exceed the threshold of torque needed to move the wheel with grip. In this situation, a limited-slip differential prevents 100% of the power from being allocated to one wheel, and thereby keeping both wheels in powered rotation.
[edit]

[wparsons]

An open diff will light up (spin) the inside tire when leaving a turn, a limited slip will send power to both so you can actually accelerate instead of just spinning the inside tire.

[avg]

Most cars have an open differential which allows the wheels to spin at different speeds, this is good because if you are taking a turn the inside wheel will spin slower than the outside one. The problem is that if one wheel has less grip it will get more power sent to it, really the power is looking for the path of least resistance.

With a limited slip differential, the amount of delta between the two connected wheels is limited either by speed or torque. The advantage is that you are still able to put the power down if one wheel has lost grip.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Unless you've got a tire in the air, in which case you need a clutched diff.

[veuxx]

Thanks a lot !

[BigFatFlip]

I think the wiki description was just using an off-road application as an example in which a situation where one wheel is free (up in the air) and one is in contact (on the ground). In actuality, when a car is mid-corner, there is a slight lift (free) on the inside driving wheel (closest to the corner) while the outside driving wheel (farthest to the corner) slightly compresses (contact), so the same theory applies. With an "open" diff, you will loose the ability to efficiently power out of that corner since your power will be diverted to the lifted wheel while a limited slip diff will allow you to put some power down onto the contacting tire.

Conveniently enough, Scion's explanation:
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0EOrzn7-Qc&feature=player_embedded"]2013 Scion FR-S | Torsen® Limited Slip Differential Explained - YouTube[/ame]

Here's a better explanation of how a differential works in theory
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAw79386WI"]Around The Corner (1937) How Differential Steering Works - YouTube[/ame]

A lot more technical, but I like this guy's explanation of a limited slip
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujsxq9WBllU"]Limited Slip Differential - Explained - YouTube[/ame]

Also worth it to look at his explanation of a torsen lsd, since that's what we have in our cars.

clear as mud?

[LeeMaster]

Drift cars benefit from LSD that are catered to the driver, most professional drifters prefer a welded differential because their cars have a lot of torque to send instant powers to the wheel and they are easier to maintain than a 1.5 way or 3 way. I personally prefer a 2 way LSD, it's a bit easier to control the car when sideways and gives me a little time to make adjustment when sliding.

[root]

Easier to drift! As explained in a turn if you put the power down, the inside tire has less weight on it so it starts spinning with no traction. One tire fire! With a limited, or even more extreme a locked diff you get power to both wheels, so you spin both of them and get a better drift!

[Rayme]

When you do a donut , lsd = 2 skimarks. Open diff. = 1

[SmsAlSuwaidi]

I might be wrong so don't quote mo on this, but I also think certain LSD's have percentages on when to lock and some are full LSD's which are always locked


Somebody correct me if I'm wrong

[SkitterSkotter]

Lol, are you serious. A major reason why I chose this car was for the LSD...

LSD's like doughnuts with both wheels smoking

open ones are lame as hell and one wheel spins. Many sports cars don't have the LSD as standard.

[SmsAlSuwaidi]

Originally Posted by SkitterSkotter

Lol, are you serious. A major reason why I chose this car was for the LSD...

LSD's like doughnuts with both wheels smoking

open ones are lame as hell and one wheel spins. Many sports cars don't have the LSD as standard.

And usually costs a shit load of money to add on