"V" stamp on Diff

[xLibelle]

I have not opened it, I have an assumption, it doesnt test like it should, and it could just mean nothing. Anyone seen this before?

[Erick]

Viscous/Vagina Diff? :p

What car is that picture taken off?

[xLibelle]

Mine. Its a 3.91 ...er what ever the iX ratio is, i bought a few months ago for cheap.


I didnt think a viscous would respond/react like a clutch pack.
I'll open it up when I get it out of the car.

[Erick]

From my little experience, the viscous' letdown is when it gets abused. It'll lock just fine in the beginning... but if you're on the track, or pushing the differential to lock enough, it'll start slipping.

If it's a 3.91, then I'm betting my poker chips on V for Viscous.

[xLibelle]

Me and a friend missed the stamp when we were installing it.
Assumed it to be regular clutch when we tested it by hand.

[Erick]

It's hard to tell "by hand" unless you pop the cover open really. I remember in my 240 days (stupid Nissan lasted me 30 days) when I had my viscous diff.

As far as I know.... there's no 3.91 clutch diff. Definately not in an e30.

[nando]

defninitely viscous

erick, I've never experienced lack of lock up with any of my VCs. That would sort of defeat the purpose on ice/snow.. however if the diff has been abused in the past (improper towing, mismatched tires) then I could see that happening.

also I remember a few guys in europe mentioning the 3.91 being available with a clutch pack, just never in the states.

[Erick]

Interesting to know Chris. I never driven (or pushed) an e30 with a viscous diff, so whether they are better than the Nissan ones I had (as well as another friends car with one) or not, I wouldn't be able to tell.

Improper towing and mismatched tires would even mess up a clutch type differential as well too.

[rThor432]

also I remember a few guys in europe mentioning the 3.91 being available with a clutch pack, just never in the states.

That is true.

[germancarsonly]

Yup, the "V" is a viscous and I have one. Personally for a daily driver I like them better than an LSD. And LSD on wet or icey pavement can be a handful to drive as they lock up harder.

The 3.91 LSD was a commonly ordered option in the 1988 and 1989 E24 cars. It was also offered in the E30 along with the 3.46 LSD option that no one ever ordered either.