Why is everyone so amazed that i have a LSD?

[fiveonefive]

Hello,

I have a VT SS 5.0L manual and everytime i get work done people are amazed that it is fitted with a LSD. I was under the impression that these models came standard with a LSD fitted? Please correct me if im wrong

Cheers, 515

[chevypower]

I am 90% sure it was standard in your car (being the SS), and optional on other models with the V8. It became standard on all Commdore V8s in the VX range.

[planetdavo]

My VR SS had an LSD standard, even back then. Not sure where these "surprised" peoples info (or lack of) comes from....

[vx350int]

I am 90% sure it was standard in your car (being the SS), and optional on other models with the V8. It became standard on all Commdore V8s in the VX range.
LSD was no longer an option but standard in the VX Series 11 range for all Gen 3 Holdens (you had to have it optioned in the VX series 1) and the VT SS arrived standard with the LSD in it

[PBoB]

Not sure where these "surprised" peoples info (or lack of) comes from....

Exactly, probably the same people that would be surprised to find that an LSD makes you go sideways :driving:

[red_hot]

Slightly off topic, i was VERY surprised to hear that the blue oval's mustang has an open diff.
Reminds me of a youtube vid i saw of some clown gunning the throttle down a straight road and ending up plowing his 'stang sideways into the traffic coming the other way.
Even in the high end GT500...
Go figure!

[brentonsav]

but v8 calais, berlinas, statesman and caprices are a diff story. they are option lsd and have been forever if i'm not mistaken.

[dadem0n]

Yep only an option on those cars :yup:

[TheRealMadMax]

My VR SS had an LSD standard, even back then. Not sure where these "surprised" peoples info (or lack of) comes from....

Yeah, I had a ZD Fairlane (1971) with a LSD standard. I'm pretty sure no one should be surprised to see an LSD on any vehicle. (except FWD, which don't have Diffs).

Perhaps the mechanic is on LSD? :smilesandbanana:

[Smitty]

Slightly off topic, i was VERY surprised to hear that the blue oval's mustang has an open diff.
Even in the high end GT500...
Go figure!

you watched a recent TopGear then.....
they (Jeremy I think) commented on this and how a so called
muscle car can come without one

was interesting watching the Stig drive a singler spinner
with 450+hp around their test track :eyes:


but v8 calais, berlinas, statesman and caprices are a diff story. they are option lsd and have been forever if i'm not mistaken.


yep

going back you could buy a HQ Kingswood 308 4 speed manual
with a single spinner as standard ....and LSD as optional

a VK 5 litre 4 speed manual Berlina I had as a company car at GMH
came standard with a heavy duty 'open' diff and I had to option
G80 LSD for it


cheers

[Caprice270]

I'm not sure who gets surprised by an LSD in an SS - but I am surprised by cars that don't have one. The Jaguar XK8 for example.

My WM Caprice has no LSD because I forgot to tick the box that had it as an option for $180 :doh:. Price of after-market LSD? Don't ask!!! Hasn't stopped me getting 13.6 quarters though and still feels good with power down through a corner.

[BigFella]

suprised there is an lsd in a VT SS??

so ur friends dont know much about cars? or the are ford heads?

[C4B]

My VTSS 5L certainly had one. Ironically it didn't need one because they were so gutless they would struggle to spin up one wheel in standard form.

[dadem0n]

My VTSS 5L certainly had one. Ironically it didn't need one because they were so gutless they would struggle to spin up one wheel in standard form.

Same = Aggressive torque management :eyes:

[Phonic]

(except FWD, which don't have Diffs).

If that is a joke then disregard this, otherwise FWDs do have diffs, some LSD. :)

[TheRealMadMax]

If that is a joke then disregard this, otherwise FWDs do have diffs, some LSD. :)

My appologies - I have never owned one, therefore don't profess to know about them, however I did think that they had CV joints coming straight from the gearbox, hence no diff as such?

[B-REX]

Some vehicles with good traction control systems or stability control systems use the brakes to control the spinning wheel. Throw it into a corner and the inside wheel tries to light up and the brake grabs the inside wheel and slows it down.
So not all high performance vehicles are fitted with a mechanical LSD but may have the electronic equivalent via the ESP or TCS.

[Ahyeah]

Some vehicles with good traction control systems or stability control systems use the brakes to control the spinning wheel. Throw it into a corner and the inside wheel tries to light up and the brake grabs the inside wheel and slows it down.
So not all high performance vehicles are fitted with a mechanical LSD but may have the electronic equivalent via the ESP or TCS.

I once had a car sales man tell me that ESP is a perfect substitute for an LSD on a commodore... 'no difference at all mate':confused:

[planetdavo]

I once had a car sales man tell me that ESP is a perfect substitute for an LSD on a commodore... 'no difference at all mate':confused:

Those that have some "real" ability and want to extract maximum from the car will always be better off with an LSD.
For most "normal" drivers though, an ESP based traction solution will always be a safer option, and far less likely to through an unsuspecting driver backwards off the road like an LSD can...

[dadem0n]

Those that have some "real" ability and want to extract maximum from the car will always be better off with an LSD.
For most "normal" drivers though, an ESP based traction solution will always be a safer option, and far less likely to through an unsuspecting driver backwards off the road like an LSD can...

Unless its a Toyota, then wear a helmet....... :lol:

[planetdavo]

Unless its a Toyota, then wear a helmet....... :lol:
Hmmm, special "SUV" spec ESP in use, guaranteed to "liven" up any drivers day....:eyes:

[kave1]

but v8 calais, berlinas, statesman and caprices are a diff story. they are option lsd and have been forever if i'm not mistaken.My VY series 2 ls1 berlina is fitted with a LSD, i thought it was a standard fittment being a 8 , but if it's an option, i'm not complaining. It was an ex Fosters company car, they must be allowed to tick a few option boxes when ordering their cars.

[saaz]

I am surprised that the WM does not come standard with an LSD, the WL did and it still spins up easily, hate to think what it would be like with a standard diff (probably much like my VQ 5 litre, would goes sideways at 100kph up a slippery road!)

[Marco]

I'm not sure who gets surprised by an LSD in an SS - but I am surprised by cars that don't have one. The Jaguar XK8 for example.

The Porsche Cayman is another - especially weird as it's a mid-engined two seater sports car, so you'd think it would be a no-brainer, but I suppose Porsche had to do something to rein it in or it would be quicker than a 911 for a lot less cash.

Oh, and my Dad's VP SS had an LSD standard, and I would be surprised if there were any SS models at all that didn't get one!


For most "normal" drivers though, an ESP based traction solution will always be a safer option, and far less likely to through an unsuspecting driver backwards off the road like an LSD can...

Forgive the ignorant question, but why would that happen?

[Red Beard]

I haven't figured out if my VZ SV6 has an LSD yet. I've got to find somewhere safe to play with it. My old VR Chaser had one though. I remember take off at a set of lights in the wet, just at the limit of traction, when I hit 60 the arse suddenly started moving sideways. I caught it at less than a meter, but the guy behind me locked it up and went sideways thinking I was going to lose it. At the next set of lights he had the sh1ts because I was laughing so hard.

[VESSV316]

I wish my old VR Statesman had a LSD in it :(

[Phonic]

My appologies - I have never owned one, therefore don't profess to know about them, however I did think that they had CV joints coming straight from the gearbox, hence no diff as such?


Nah your right mate :). The CV joints allow the front drive shafts to bend, much like ones in an IRS system as fitted to many Commodores. The drive shafts are connected to the diff, witch in a FWD is located within the gearbox housing, hence it can't be seen. The actual differential centre itself isn't much different to a RWD unit.

[XR8KLR]

I have a VY Calais V8, what is the code on the compliance plate for an LSD? Should I have one? I havn't really had any opportunities to find out... :P

[iamhappy46]

Exactly, probably the same people that would be surprised to find that an LSD makes you go sideways :driving:

They are probably the same people that drive CIG lockers on the street...


Nah your right mate :). The CV joints allow the front drive shafts to bend, much like ones in an IRS system as fitted to many Commodores. The drive shafts are connected to the diff, witch in a FWD is located within the gearbox housing, hence it can't be seen. The actual differential centre itself isn't much different to a RWD unit.

Yeah, plenty of cars fitted with FWD LSD's from the factory, the Honda Integra Type R being one. Plenty of other companies have aftermarket LSD's available to them.

FWD's also have the advantage of being able to use a Helical LSD... much nicer than clutch packs!

[PBoB]

I have a VY Calais V8, what is the code on the compliance plate for an LSD? Should I have one? I havn't really had any opportunities to find out... :P

Get under the car and look at the rear casing of the diff, it should say 'LSD'

Or

Back out into the street and rip a skid and see if it leaves two or one mark


I do not endorse behaviour such as this, it is only a recommendation.

[planetdavo]

Forgive the ignorant question, but why would that happen?
Most LSD's have a tendancy to transfer the torque from one side of the car to the other VERY QUICKLY when traction isn't great. This has caught out a pretty hefty number of drivers over the years, sending them backward or sideways off the road!
They usually aren't fitted to everyday models for this very reason, hence why ESP based solutions are often a better option for most drivers (including many that actually THINK they are great drivers!)

[VY2ENJOY]

My Berlina wagon has LSD, didnt option it though but did option the heavy duty tow pack, would that have been why it got one?