which is better the clutch-type or the viscious type lsd?

 

They are different.... The Viscous lsd is more durable, is sealed, but locks up slower than the Clutch-Type. Its a "lifetime unit". The clutch type locks faster but is not as durable, however it can be rebuilt. I like the clutch-type in my GXL. Im not too hard on it though. I guess its a matter of how you are going to be driving. If you know your going to be locking it up all the time, than the Viscous would be better.

 

Funny, I was under the impression that the viscous units sucked in every aspect and wore out just as fast..

 

Clutch type. I am biased though.

 

i would beg to differ on the viscous types being "more durable". There design is far from that. They are just meant to be easy maintainance (fluid changes) at the cost of perfromance.

 

Clutch type FTW. Locking feels better and is faster in my opinion. That's stock S4 gxl to Stock S5 gxl. if you're going aftermarket, well, I actually havn't ever seen an aftermarket viscous diff.

 

Clutch type>viscous

 

How can you tell it's time to rebuild your S4 clutch-type differential? My GTU is low mileage and fluid has been kept fresh. I don't notice any noise or other signs of trouble. What should I be looking for, or is there a mileage interval for rebuild?

 

I prefer the clutch type. Much better and easy to repair. I am using a 1988 gxl lsd in my 1989 gxl, In 89 it was only aval in viscus as far as i know and not offered lsd unless you had turbo. So i went with the 88 clutch lsd. Also have herd of viscus units failing and they got replaced with clutch type. The viscus appears to cost alot when it breaks.

 

the viscous is gentler than the clutch-type, and will make you understeer less upon power on exit during a corner. However, it allows for more slip than the clutch-type.

 

true, 89s could only come with viscous. However, you could get an LSD in a s5 GTUS

 

clutches ftw

 

None of the stock LSD's will be much good any more. The clutch types will have worn clutches and weak springs, and the viscous ones will have deteriorated fluid (not the gear oil that you fill it up with), so neither one will be working very well.

Rebuilt clutch type > old clutch type ~= viscous

 

In 89 the only LSD available was a viscous... and it was only available on the GTUs model and the Turbo. No other S5 USA spec models got a LSD... any LSD. Only the 89-90 GTUs model and the 89-91 Turbo model.

 

so a 1990 turbo had no limited slip?


oh wait nvm, i get what your saying..

 

Out of curiosity, how does that differ from what I said?

*edit* oh, did you think I meant all 89s came with a viscous LSD? My bad. I meant what you said: The only LSD available on 89s was the viscous, and the only n/a model that you could get it on was the GTUS (and yes, I put a large S, so no one things I'm saying GTU and making it plural.)

 

Although the viscous lsd's do wear out, its usually due to the internal fluid deteriorating. The clutch type wears mechanically.