is an IX LSD better than an IS LSD?

[JPL]

someone i know said this might be true. If so, why?

[DanGillan]

ix's used a pump style instead of a clutch style lsd (most of the one's i've seen anyway). i suppose it's pretty opinionated but i believe that a clutch style is far superior. do some research and decide for yourself.

[backtrail69]

Yea, they used a Viscous coupler for limited slip and the M3 and is rears are clutch packs. I prefer clutch style.

[808BMW]

The only time I've heard of people preferring an IX diff is because the viscous type will not affect classing, while a clutch diff will change your class

[O 16581 72452 5]

Clutch type are better, but viscous don't wear out.

But a viscous doesn't work much better than a worn out clutch type.

[nando]

But a viscous doesn't work much better than a worn out clutch type.

I wonder where this idea comes from? you must be thinking of the VC "differential" used in old VWs and other lower end AWD cars, where all the power had to be transferred through the VC and there was no gearing. the ix's diff isn't anything like these.

mine seems to work just fine.. it's not like you'll be one legging it, and the VC can lockup up to 90%. of course I've never had a VC in a RWD car, but I can get the back end to break loose about as easy as anyone else here.

[JGood]

What ratio's do ix diff's come in? If they have something close to 3.25, I'd want to go with that in my eta. If I swap one out for auto-x use that would step me back down to STS. It sucks being in STX just because of my factory diff.

[nando]

the lowest available is 3.64, but only on early euro models. later manuals got 3.91 and autos got 4.10

[joshh]

One big problem with the viscous is it has to slip before it engages.

[nando]

One big problem with the viscous is it has to slip before it engages.

it does, but it doesn't take much time to lock - less than a second. you aren't likely to notice it.

[joshh]

Yeah, theres no doubt the viscous is way better than an open diff. But a clutch or even a torsion is better than a viscous yet there are disadvantages to the clutch style. But they are only disadvantages to people that aren't serious about performance....like the noise created by the clutch style diff.

The delay in the viscous is noticable to me.

[cthulu703]

One last 2 cents. Viscous couplings are inherently less efficient than a mechanical one. i.e. driveline power loss in automatic vs. manual transmissions.

[CleanAzzE30z]

man this is exploring the area of E30s that I dont know. Straight gold.

Mariano