Limited Slip Differentials for the Sonic M32 6 speed

[laborsmith]

They may be the same, but I can't say for sure. I never checked on the 5-speed while I was still at GM.

Do you know if the Wavetrac for the Cruze LS M32 would work with the Sonic RS M32? I emailed them (their winter sale prompted my interest) a couple of days ago and have not been answered.

Laborsmith

 

[theenico]

So long as it's from the M32 family, you're good to go.

 

[Preloader]

Would LSD even help on the qtr mile? It would be more for auto-cross and twisties right?

 

[theenico]

It would help in the quarter. Even in a straight line, these cars tend to do a one wheel peel.

 

[Preloader]

I get double roast. I guess I'll need to prove it with a video.

 

[firstorbit84]

What about Team M Factory?? They make LSD's for many high powered hondas and other makes, and are also a pretty good alternative for less coin from what i've read. It says they make a product for the Opel Astra OPC 2.0T which is what was referenced by theenico for the other diffs:
Helical LSD

 

[theenico]

Hadn't heard of them before.

Looks like they have both a helical (Quaife/Torsen copy) and a clutch/plate type. I have added links to the first post.

 

[AndrewGS]

Well, looks like I have to spend more money. I'll be doing this when it's time for a clutch, which should be a few months after she needs coilovers.

 

[firstorbit84]

You'll probably be the first, right?

 

[AndrewGS]

I dunno. It's going to be a while, maybe a year or so. I'm sure someone will do it before me.

 

[14T6MT]

I'm wondering what the cost of installation would be for something like this, basically how many hours would it take a skilled mechanic to install. I'm seriously considering getting the Wavetrac next year for xmas/tax return.

 

[$ub$onic]

When I build axles for my truck I can have them striped and gutted to just the housing and put back together in 2 hours . So not long at all for a little set up like that

 

[Eric Smit]

usually between 150-300 bucks, but the Sonic may be different.


-Eric Smit

 

[firstorbit84]

I'd say the cost of a clutch job plus another hour or two. It would make a lot of sense to combine install with a clutch upgrade, especially since you'll probably need one anyway if you're making enough power to take advantage of a LSD.

 

[14T6MT]

I'd say the cost of a clutch job plus another hour or two. It would make a lot of sense to combine install with a clutch upgrade, especially since you'll probably need one anyway if you're making enough power to take advantage of a LSD.

Well, my main reason for installing a LSD would be performance in inclement weather, handling extra power is a close second. Right now I'm waiting for a full Trifecta tune and a DDM intake, down the road I'm planning on a DDM high-flow second cat and cat back. I don't think that will put me at the kind of power level where I'd need to replace my stock clutch. But, when I do replace my stock clutch I'll put in something track-worthy.

 

[Eric Smit]

you won't be close to needing a new clutch.


-Eric Smit

 

[Preloader]

I got a little over zealous leaving work yesterday and roasted the tires all the way from first through third. Today my coworker said he saw it and that it looked glorious. He also confirmed that both tires were burning.

This makes me ask the question, as far as drag racing is concerned, how would I benefit from an LSD if both my wheels are pulling as is?

 

[Graham]

Its rare to spin both tires. Limited slip diffs make all the difference in the world on the worst conditions.. like wet making a hard right up a steep hill, normally the inside shell would spin hard and not really pull the car up the hill. Posi would make it feel way more traction, more controllable and less torque steer. My Cummins 4x4 was open diff and the helical limited slip diff made it soo much more predictable and twice the traction.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

 

[theenico]

I got a little over zealous leaving work yesterday and roasted the tires all the way from first through third. Today my coworker said he saw it and that it looked glorious. He also confirmed that both tires were burning.

This makes me ask the question, as far as drag racing is concerned, how would I benefit from an LSD if both my wheels are pulling as is?

If they're both pulling, then an LSD won't do much for you at the strip. Spend your money on those stiffer rear springs to help keep the weight from transferring off of your front tires.

The biggest benefits of an LSD are going to be seen at Auto-X's, road courses, and bad weather. More specifically, it should allow for deeper trail braking and getting on the gas earlier at corner exit.

 

[theenico]

Its rare to spin both tires. Limited slip diffs make all the difference in the world on the worst conditions.. like wet making a hard right up a steep hill, normally the inside shell would spin hard and not really pull the car up the hill. Posi would make it feel way more traction, more controllable and less torque steer. My Cummins 4x4 was open diff and the helical limited slip diff made it soo much more predictable and twice the traction.

Sent from my DROID RAZR HD using Tapatalk 2

It's not so rare in FWD. The reason is that in FWD, the engine transmission, diff, and axles all spin the same direction. The "power" never has to turn a corner, so the diff is loaded pretty evenly. There's still a little bias though because the gears are not straight cut.

In RWD however, the pinion gear is basically trying to shove the ring gear out of the passenger/right side of the axle. It's this thrusting/preloading of the diff that causes the right tire to go up in smoke when going in a straight line.