Open Differential to Limited Slip. . .

[CamaroKRAZED]

Are there any benefits to a limited slip in the snow? This is my only ride, so obviously i have no choice but to drive it in snow. So besides the obvious advantage of a limited slip, does it provide better traction in the snow too? Can i really have the best of both worlds?

Right now i have a 3.42 rear axle ratio, and i have been thinking about converting my open differential to a limited slip unit, but i still want to keep the factory ratio.

How much trouble will i have to go through to do this right? What all is involved with this modification? What parts will i need to get? Once everything is all said and done, what kind of price range am i looking at?

[98Camaro3.8]

Originally posted by CamaroKRAZED:
So besides the obvious advantage of a limited slip, does it provide better traction in the snow too?

The obvious advantage of a limited slip is better traction.

Converting from a series 3 open to a series 3 limited slip is a pretty simple task. Basically you just take out the old one, swap the gear, and install the new one. Nothing real tricky, besides finding one nowadays. The only hardware you need is the new differential. You could find this on ebay, local junkyards, etc.

I will insert the obligatory search reference, as this is talked about very frequently.

[FunkZ]

http://www.fastblackcar.com/camaro/lsd.htm

Limited slip in a rear wheel drive car will help accelleration in snow and lessen the chance of getting stuck, but it also slides the rear end of the car downhill. So if you're on a road with a high crown, off camber or even going around a turn, watch how much throttle you give it because you can loop the car very easily, instead of just sitting and spinning as you would with an open rear.

[1DangerousV6]

Originally posted by FunkZ:
http://www.fastblackcar.com/camaro/lsd.htm

Limited slip in a rear wheel drive car will help accelleration in snow and lessen the chance of getting stuck, but it also slides the rear end of the car downhill. So if you're on a road with a high crown, off camber or even going around a turn, watch how much throttle you give it because you can loop the car very easily, instead of just sitting and spinning as you would with an open rear.

yeah..i have a pretty good hill that goes up to my complex..we already had a bit of snow and i still had my performance tires on..i could feel the LSD making SUCH a big difference in the traction

[mjparme]

My LSD was installed after our last big snowfall (maybe in April) so I haven't had the oppurtunity to drive it in a lot of snow. However, there has been a couple of mornings lately where there is a heavy frost on the road and the LSD makes a HUGE difference in that stuff. With my open I would have a hell of a time getting going in it.

Wet traction (rain) is so vastly improved that driving in the rain doesn't even stress me out anymore. With the open I would have to use Second Gear Start (have an auto) in the rain and I would still have problems. I haven't touched the SGS button in the rain since I have had the LSD.

From a performance stand point it is great, from a safety standpoint it is even better.

[CamaroKRAZED]

Originally posted by FunkZ:
http://www.fastblackcar.com/camaro/lsd.htm

Limited slip in a rear wheel drive car will help accelleration in snow and lessen the chance of getting stuck, but it also slides the rear end of the car downhill. So if you're on a road with a high crown, off camber or even going around a turn, watch how much throttle you give it because you can loop the car very easily, instead of just sitting and spinning as you would with an open rear.

Ok so, limited slip is way better in the snow when you want to get going, but can actually be more dangerous once you are moving if you are not careful... correct?

[mjparme]

Ok so, limited slip is way better in the snow when you want to get going, but can actually be more dangerous once you are moving if you are not careful... correct?

No, LSD is safer all around. You will find that you will be able to apply gas much earlier in a corner than you can with an open differential.

I am not quite certain what the post above about the hill is about. I haven't experienced any kind of issues. Actually where I used to live when you pulled out of the apartmet complex onto the road it was on a substantial hill. With the open diffy the rear end of my car was always wanting to kick out on me when I turned up the hill if I tried to apply any gas before I was going perfectly straight. The LSD corrected that and I was able to apply gas all the way through the turn.

[FunkZ]

Originally posted by CamaroKRAZED:
Ok so, limited slip is way better in the snow when you want to get going, but can actually be more dangerous once you are moving if you are not careful... correct?

Yes. Since going to a limited-slip rear I've driven on PA roads when there's 3-4 inches down and probably shouldn't have had the car out anyway. If you can wait for the plows to come by you shouldn't have much trouble. With an open rear I doubt I'd have even gotten the car out of the driveway, so limited-slip can definitely help get you going. You just have to be really careful driving in these kinds of conditions.