LSD for AutoX

[CrazyB]

This Sunday was my first auto x and the car ran great the main issue I had is I could not find any grip. i kept sliding as soon as i gave the car any sort of throttle coming out of the turns. Currently I am running 14 195 falken Azenis. i do not have the money for bigger wheels and tires yet. I was curious would an LSD drastically help with this issue?

[SeriousBusiness]

I was curious would an LSD drastically help with this issue?

Absolutely.

[CrazyB]

Thats good news, i will have to try and get a hold of one before this weekend. as most of my runs looked like a drift competition and not a auto cross race.
I did get a lot of props for some of the drifts, but I know I would be able to shave off atleast 3 seconds if i could put the power down.

[87e30]

What engine are you running?

With my m52 and 195 falken ziex 912 all seasons I can pretty much floor it in the dry and not have the rear end come out. Assuming you roll into the throttle... Now I'm NOT a track driver and not anywhere near as knowledgeable as I'd like to be, but me thinks if you have an m20 then you should be okay...

[CrazyB]

I have a m20 with a few bolt ons. I am not talking about straight aways, i am talking about coming out of turns. Also keep in mind autox is in parkings and there is a little less grip than on a road usually. Also one thing I am worried about, will the lsd make it easier for the car to spin out if it does start to slide?

[SeriousBusiness]

I have a m20 with a few bolt ons. I am not talking about straight aways, i am talking about coming out of turns. Also keep in mind autox is in parkings and there is a little less grip than on a road usually. Also one thing I am worried about, will the lsd make it easier for the car to spin out if it does start to slide?

I don't see it being any harder to control during loss of traction with LSD but I am no race car driver, so this is a little beyond me. My 325is will not break traction at autox speeds unless its wet. If that helps you any lol.

[Boris3]

There are some very good autocross folks on this forum who will weigh in with detailed advice but here are a couple of initial things to consider.

What are the bolt ons you mention? If you've played with stock suspension by replacing the front/rear sway bars this would have an effect. Bigger rear bar tends to lead to a looser rear end.

Class: Not sure what autocross class you are running in but an LSD limits your options: moves you at a minimum to STX if you are running SCCA.

Tires: An initial cheaper fix to increase rear grip would be to play with tire pressures. What tire pressures are you running? In general these should be higher than street and a search will give you some starting suggestions. Mid-30s is common. Try higher front pressures than rears to get the rear to stick better. I run 38 psi front and 33/34 rear with Dunlops but that's what works for me. Related to tires, what was the weather like? The Falkens can get pretty greasy in the heat and with multiple runs, especially given the drift description. You may need a sprayer to help cool the tires down between runs. Also how new are the Azenis? Takes a few 100 miles for the mold release compound to wear off and that can make them slick.

Throttle: using too much, too early in the corners? Or coming into the corner too hot to get the traction you need on corner out. What line were you taking through the corners? Sometimes clubs have an instructor that can ride along to give you advice. Very helpful.

Bottom line is that an LSD will certainly help but so will the cheaper fixes above and especially more seat time.

[87e30]

I have a m20 with a few bolt ons. I am not talking about straight aways, i am talking about coming out of turns. Also keep in mind autox is in parkings and there is a little less grip than on a road usually. Also one thing I am worried about, will the lsd make it easier for the car to spin out if it does start to slide?

Yes, since both wheels will start spinning the rear should slide out easier. (ala high locking lsd or welded diff for drifters) but it will also put down power if you keep it from spinning.

Maybe your cars weight balance is off or driving a bit more smoothly would help put the power down. Unless there is gravel or something... maybe sliding out to you is different than it is to me, the way you're describing it I'm picture full on sideways.

Like I said I really don't know what I'm talking about, I'm hoping some track guys will chime in.

[CrazyB]

Currently sitting on stock sways. I have been thinking of getting a larger front and keeping stock rear, wouldnthis help?
Also another thing I was curious aboutnis this lsdnunits on bay. Anyone have any info on this.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/OBX-Helical-LSD-BMW-M3-E30-M3-E36-Z3-6-cylinder-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQitemZ170521844815QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories#ht_3465wt_722

[xwill112x]

Roll on to the throttle more and not just pin it. Be mindful of where the weight is in your car at any given moment, if your trying to dig out of a sharp left hand corner, all your weight is on the right, and the inside tire is going to burn like fire. A LSD will help this, but if your clutch kicking/shifting in corners/ smacking the throttle abruptly, yes your going to end up with a mad dorifto.

any more questions?

[Wh33lhop]

An LSD will help and you should install one just for the fun factor that it adds to the car, but what will help more is if you are smooth on the gas. Don't just goose it out of the corner, give it a slow(ish) linear output from mild to full throttle as you smoothly unwind the wheel. Remember, smooth is fast.

[CrazyB]

While on this topic would affront sway bar make any difference. From what I read a bigger rear does not help at all what about front. And would it be better to go with 22 or 25 mm bar

[Erick]

A 50hp Corolla will spin tires whiles doing some auto-x turns. You're taking all the weight off one wheel and sending all power to that one wheel, which is almost spinning freely. Autocross also tends to shift the weight of the car much more than track racing depending on the corners.

An LSD will make a world of a difference for you.

[Wh33lhop]

While on this topic would affront sway bar make any difference. From what I read a bigger rear does not help at all what about front. And would it be better to go with 22 or 25 mm bar

Typically a bigger front bar helps E30 turn-in (despite the general stiffer = less grip rule), bar diameter choice depends on your preference, the rest of the suspension setup and the purpose of the car.

[F34R]

I am an experienced auto-xer and I have used both an STD and LSD. I notice MUCH better times with the LSD and I spin less tire because I can put more power down with the other wheel being used.

Another thing to shave time is a suspension. If this is turning into a hobby like it is for me. Then you are going to want coilovers, F&R tower braces and better tires to get cornering grip. The seconds are shed more in the corners not in the straights. I see big NASTY vettes and cameros come to events and get smashed by Miatas and other small cars all day. Heck I was 2 seconds behind an '06 vette with winter tires last year. My toyos were a day late =(

Suspension
Tires
Tower braces
LSD
Cold air intake
^These are a must in auto-x