Hey Guys,
I've done reading in a few places about drifitng with a VLSD. Some people say it's poossible, alot of people hate on it, but no one really explains why. I've read it will unlock mid drift.

I went to my first drift event last Sunday with my GTUs and took it on the track. At first I was doing a bunch of clutch dumps to get sideways but in the afternoon I just started going much faster and used the rotational mass of the car to get it sideways while inputting appropriate throttle. I was doing pretty good, started linking turns decent and got a few compliments from more experienced people.

I used the stock 4.3 VLSD and I never felt like it let go. Anytime I spun out I felt was due to my own driver error.

When I changed the oil in my diff I put in gear oil without the LSD additive which is what I was told you do with a VLSD. Are people having the diff let go because of the wrong oil? I was doing runs about 5 minutes apart.

I have not drifted a car with a clutch type or 1.5 way diff so I don't have a feel for the difference. I just felt like I didn't have a problem drifiting my 160hp GTUs with the 4.3VLSD, miata gears, and 205/50/15's.

Here are two video's of me spinning out mid day, does it look like my diff unlocked?

http://youtu.be/QpsmNkBoeGE

http://youtu.be/a1hbeWgocu8

 

VLSD's are not meant for drifting. they eventually wear out, especially stock 20 year old ones. factory VLSD on newer cars last longer, because they are newer. the reason why everyone hates on VLSD's is because they wear out and stop locking. commonly they will work fine when you start drifting the car, but as you do more events and progressively get better, there is more and more wear and it works less and less.

unlocking wouldnt cause spinning, it'd cause straightening out

 

Sell me your GTUs..

 

looks like you just stayed in the gas to long and the car spun on you also do you have dtss eliminators these will help with the spinning issues also

 

Yeah, no DTSS eliminators yet. I'll pick some up for the next event.

 

ran out of angle in both those vids. throw some spacers on the tie rods

 

VLSD's, especially ones this old, don't lock well enough for ANY type of performance driving, especially drifting.

Essentially they're only good for getting out of mud/snow (and bad even at that if they're worn out) and for increasing 0-60 times somewhat, but for drift, drag, and track driving you NEED a mechanical LSD.

Yes, it's physically possible to drift, drag, or drive at a track without an LSD at all, but it won't be pleasant... you'll end up getting a lot of one-wheel spinning, especially accelerating out of corners, and the weak lock makes cars' response to throttle unpredictable.

Most VLSD's are sealed units and changing the diff oil has no affect on them whatsoever. They do however last longer than clutch-types. In theory Torsens are the best, but they aren't durable enough for high power, and the lockup for drifting and drag needs to be more abrupt. In theory.

With a 2-way LSD you can apparently initiate drifts just by using the throttle...

You can always lock the diff if you're only drifting, but this is a bad idea for street cars IMO.

 

all ive ever ran is vlsd, ive never had a problem when drifting, auto-x, touge, or anything. thinking of going tomei 1.5 way next though with 8" 4.30 gearing

Lloyd

 

i have a vlsd in my 2j fc and i hate it it locks like crap and doesnt always stay locked im already looking for a replacement

 

when formula d driver Justin pawlak was running an FC, I think towards the end of his time running that car he had a 1.5 way and liked the feel. most drifters run 2 ways though. he's a mod on here so maybe he'll chime in.

but vlsd will just keep getting worse. If you are lucky you can get an used OEM FC S4 T2 diff cheap which is a clutch type lsd. then rebuild it with the thicker plates mazdatrix sells, flip the springs, and put it back together. search "diff shimming". budget drift lsd that locks better then stock but not 100% locked like welding an open clutch type diff. Or if you got cash, buy a Kaaz, tomei, OS giken, etc diff. if you drift a lot then a 2 way is good. if you circuit, auto x, do a lot of street spirited driving you might consider a 1.5 way. my opinion.

 

VLSDs don't 'lock' at all.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential5.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscous_coupling_unit

http://www.syncro.org/VCTest.html

 

That makes them even worse for drifting then :p

FWIW, almost all serious drifters use 2-way diffs.

But many aftermarket LSDs can be used either as 1.5 or 2 way by adjusting the cams.

2-way are a bit harder to drive on the street and overall more difficult to use by beginners though. They also tend to make a lot of noise around corners.

 

So basically it will work until the "fluid" wears out and stops sticking the discs together.

I've got a long way to go still.

Maybe I'll use the 4.3 Ring and pinion in a S4 N/A CT diff some day, or just switch over to a turbo drivetrain and a 2-way if I stick with this. That'll all be after I slap a Turbo on the N/A block though.

Thanks to everyone for their input.

 

if it goes out before you have the $$ for a propper diff, or T2 swap, finding an open NA diff cheap, welding it up, and putting it in your housing with your 4.30 ring is always an option. Theyre still 8inch.

 

Sounds like a winner