Torsen Diffs and No Load - Information
This is an extract from another forum.
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Some incorrect information being posted here, so I will try to explain some of the functions/terminology.
First of all, the "no-load" thing. A common misconception is that a Torsen-Style Differential is useless under a no-load situation (e.g One wheel in the air). This myth has been further perpetuated by our competitors of whom have limited understanding of how a Torsen-Style LSD functions. This no-load situation does not apply to 90% of users (when have you ever lifted a wheel off the ground?). For the other 10% (i.e the dedicated track car), there is a simple solution to the problem that our competitors will not tell you; simply tap your brake pedal. If you do not have time to tap your brake pedal, then it means your wheel is already back down touching the ground and providing traction again. Besides, for a dedicated track car, you would be better off with a Plate type LSD
Bias Ratio: This is NOT determined by the friction plates. This is determined by the angle of the helical gears inside the LSD. Wavetrac/Quaife/Peloquin allow upto 66% torque bias to the one wheel; ours allows upto 75%. Changing friction plates is only necessary when they wear out or you want to fine tune how much pre-load you want. Helical LSD's are supposed to be maintenance free, one of the advantages over a Plate type LSD. Once the friction plates wear out, you have less pre-load, and they will wear out. Also, only Wavetrac can actually open up and replace the friction plates for you. If you open up your Wavetrac yourself, you've just invalidated your warranty. So what was the point of purchasing an LSD with friction plates again if you can't adjust them yourself?
I've said this since the beginning, and will always keep saying it. If this is for a street car and/or weekend warrior, the Helical LSD is your best option. If your car is a dedicated track car, then the Plate type LSD (which we also have for the mk5/mk6 GTi 6spd MT) is your best option. When it comes to LSD's, there is no place for a hybrid as it's "marketed" benefits are of no use in the real world.
As for not being involved in the VW scene, yes, this is correct as we are new to the VW scene. Does not mean we do not have experience with differentials though. We are the largest Honda differential specialist worldwide (and an oem for Honda of America), and are 1 of the 3 largest BMW differential specialists in the US. We have also been making Audi LSD's for the A4/S4 for a couple of years now, but these were all private-label rather than under the MFactory brand.
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s not opinion or guesses, but fact
MFactory/Quaife/Peloquin - If you are in the 10% of users that would ever find themselves lifting a wheel in the air during hard cornering, then you would need to tap the brake to create load. However, if you are in the 90% of users category, then it will come down to Brand/Support/Price as there is no "feel-able" difference. You also never need to disassemble your transmission and send your LSD back to the manufacturer for them to replace the friction pads that you paid a premium for (and would need to purchase again) and would never notice in the real world.
Wavetrac - If you are in the 10% of users that would ever find themselves lifting a wheel in the air during hard cornering, then you don't need to do anything as their patented design does it for you. If you are in the 90% of users that won't ever find themselves in this no-load situation, then there will be no "feel-able" difference. You also get some pre-installed friction pads that will wear out and, in order to not invalidate your warranty, you need to ship your LSD back to them for them to replace them (and need to pay for). Of course, you don't need to replace the pads if you don't want to, but again, you probably won't notice the difference anyway.
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nd it is the "best value" because...? Again, is subjective. One mans shit is another mans gold
Function - Wavetrac has their patented design. It helps during "no-load" situations, and has friction plates which are adjustable. However, you pay a premium for this "feature" that 90% of users won't use, you have to continue to pay for the rest of the life of the LSD due to wear on the friction plates, and if you don't, then half of your "perceived value" has just been poured down the drain. With the MFactory/Quaife/Peloquin, they don't have this patented feature, however, they have a "free", un-patentable feaure that does the same thing; tap your brake pedal. Unfortunately, brake pads also require maintenance. So, what's "better value"?
Metallurgy - All are made from similar base metal, but only MFactory is Forged (i.e lighter, stronger, tougher and cheaper to make); the rest are milled (aka Billet. Very cost ineffective to make, weaker and more expensive). So, what's "better value"?
Warranty - All have lifetime warranty, but Wavetrac/Quaife/Peloquin AFAIK are region-based warranties (correct me if I'm wrong though) i.e It only applies if you 1) purchased via your local distributor and 2) the part is still in the same country it was purchased. Basically, even though they are advertised as having a lifetime warranty, if you purchased the LSD from a company who sourced it via other means (i.e imported from another country to save costs), you do not have a warranty. With the MFactory, it has a lifetime, globally transferable warranty i.e It doesn't matter where it was purchased, where it was sold, where it was re-sold, it will be covered with a lifetime warranty. So, what's "better value"?
Guarantee - If the part has a fault (not fitting correctly, chips/marks etc), then that falls under warranty. But what if you do not like the LSD, what to change to another type, or just plain changed your mind and have other priorities with the $1k you have just spent? With the Wavetrac/Quaife/Peloquin, you are plain out of luck. With the MFactory, it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. So, what's "better value"?
But of course, everyone has their own idea of what's "best", hence: subjective
