Can you make the diff an open diff?
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jan 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Can you make the diff an open diff?
I’m building a project where I’m looking at using a c5 diff mated to a powerglide in a sand rail. I’d like to use turning (cutting) brakes on the rail. They won’t work with the LSD obviously. Is there anyway to convert it to an open diff? Thanks in advance
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,389
Likes: 302
I wonder if it would be sufficient to add a bunch of extra friction modifier to the diff oil.
It's supposed to make LSD less grabby. I have no idea whether it makes a big enough difference to enable steering brakes though. If you're only using them to make minor course corrections, then maybe. If you want to do figure-8 wheelies... that's probably not gonna work.
https://www.redlineoil.com/limited-s...ction-modifier
It's supposed to make LSD less grabby. I have no idea whether it makes a big enough difference to enable steering brakes though. If you're only using them to make minor course corrections, then maybe. If you want to do figure-8 wheelies... that's probably not gonna work.
https://www.redlineoil.com/limited-s...ction-modifier
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 2,647
Likes: 1,381
From: Orange County, CA
This... the stock LSD belleville springs break anyways on most C5s, my Z06's LSD belleville springs were toast weeeeelllll before 70k miles effectively making it an open diff.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
Well, the belleville springs being broken don't make it an open differential, the clutches are still there and they can still lock up and spin both wheels when the wheels have enough resistance to spinning. With some load, the spider gears try to climb the side gears and that will still lock up the clutch packs even without any preload springs. I lost my preload a couple of years ago and I can still spin both wheels no problem. An open differential can't do that. I do need to fix it, but haven't had time.
I would look at installing all steels for the clutch packs. Get rid of the frictions and they can't lock up or drag at all.
I would look at installing all steels for the clutch packs. Get rid of the frictions and they can't lock up or drag at all.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,421
Likes: 302
From: CSRA, SC
Just because you can spin both wheels doesn't mean you have any meaningful clutch action. It just means there's enough to overcome the resistance from bearings on the opposite side...if the springs are broken then its basically an open diff when you go actually use it.
edit: I'm assuming you're talking about both wheels off the ground you spin a wheel by hand and the other wheel spins on its own. If you're talking about actually doing a 2 tire fire on a busted diff...sounds sus
edit: I'm assuming you're talking about both wheels off the ground you spin a wheel by hand and the other wheel spins on its own. If you're talking about actually doing a 2 tire fire on a busted diff...sounds sus
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Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
In the air its much easier to spin one wheel than it used to be. On the ground it will still lay two patches.
You do understand how the actual locking mechanism is the spider gears trying to climb the side gears which compresses the clutch packs? The preload is just to help it start to lock up.
An open diff won't spin both wheels and lay 2 stripes. I've had a few vehicles with one, It's why they're called 1-wheel peels.
You do understand how the actual locking mechanism is the spider gears trying to climb the side gears which compresses the clutch packs? The preload is just to help it start to lock up.
An open diff won't spin both wheels and lay 2 stripes. I've had a few vehicles with one, It's why they're called 1-wheel peels.
Last edited by lionelhutz; Jan 9, 2022 at 06:02 PM.