differentials: open vs. limited slip?

[timothy100]

Is the difference between open and limited slip differentials really worth paying almost twice as much for the limited slip? It seems like the only time you would be able to notice a difference is in low traction conditions. I'm doing an e to i swap and am trying to figure out if i should just go cheap and get an open 3.73 for less than $150 shipped or get a limited slip 3.73 for around $300. The car is my daily driver and will be tracked occasionally.

Thanks

btw i did a search and couldnt find anything..

[Rob]

yes, its worth it. You said you track it, you'll definitely want the LSD. Without it, most any other mod will be worthless since you aren't putting the power down

[bimmerphile]

Yes. Very much worth the difference, especially when you're only talking $150.

[timothy100]

What exactly is the difference?

[Rob]

faster acceleration out of corners and from a standstill, actually being about to drive in the snow and other inclement weather, and the fact you can drop the clutch and both drive wheels will spin instead of just one

[bimmerphile]

What exactly is the difference?

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

Read and Learn.

[Tangent]

Definitely worth it! I learned that the hard way at Buttonwillow in my 89 Camaro. Granted the Camaro has loads more torque than your average E30 but the principle is the same. Accelerating out of turns would result in the inside tire going up in smoke unless I was really careful. This made passing a royal pain in the ass since one of the best passing zones is right after a relatively tight right hander. An LSD would have made that day at the track ALOT more fun...

[schnitzer teil-jäger]

I paid 125 for a 3.73 lsd Remember they are the only ratio on all "i" 5 speeds they are everywhere. 4.27's on the other hand
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[fabianyee]

LSD is worth the money.
traction at the corners is just fantastic. No worries of inside wheel spinning and no drive to the outside wheel.

And the bonus is to be able to induce powerslide during u turns.. hehehe..

BTW, did this the other day. I was trying to make a u turn on a tight road. I turn full lock, feather the throttle and tail moved with the front remained still!!! FUN!!! But this was possible due to the rear wheels were on sandy patch. So the rear wheels were spinning and the rear turn and I made the U turn with limited space (and In style)..