My neighbor passed away a few weeks ago, and his widow wants to sell me his 15 base 1lt 7speed vette. It has 13k miles and I know he babied his vette. I know the Z51 and GS has e-lsd, but does the base have mechanical lsd? If not, are there any aftermarket lsd for C7?

 

Yes, every C7 has a limited slip differential. From the chevy.com 1lt features web page: Chevrolet 1lt Tic Sheet

 

Yep base car has positraction just like cars in the 1960's-all mechanical! Big difference is the Z51, Grand Sport and Z06 has what is called eLSD. That is electronically controlled "limited slip."

Big difference as the eLSD is electronically controlled and has two clutch packs on either side of the dif. A ~3000 psi electric motor driven hydraulic pump activates each clutch pack as defined by a computer and sensors. I recall in 2014 it was said they would love to have eLSD in the C7R but not allowed by rule!

 

LSD..lysergic acid diethylamide, oh wait, thats the wrong LSD

 

why do you say that is wrong-the corvette is constantly going on “trips”

 

Sounds like someone is about to get a Vette

 

Turn on, tune in , burn out

 

The Corvette has had a standard LSD for many years and generations. The C7 is no different.

 

Here is a short video of a Spring Mountain instructor talking about the eLSD...

 

Is the base lsd clutch or helical?

 

Remember, don't drink the Kool-Aid.

 

It's the same stacked clutch plates and "sloppy" spur gears that lock up the spinning wheel. It has been used since the 1960's. Have the same in my Street Rod! Thought that helical gear dif was mostly aftermarket!

For those that want to know how a standard poisi works- see below:

 

It works perfectly well, without the possibility of wonky electronic glitches.

 

Ignorance is bliss. But after the video above - OMG what have i done! Computer- controlled 3000psi pumps pushing hydraulic fluid through RUBBER hoses and gasketed joiners! Computer located under the car.

Sounds like a scary story they used to tell us kids around the campfire:

Hmn, and the base model Stingray still has the 50 year old 100% mechanical positraction lsd that nobody has ever heard a peep from.

Mrs. GM, please don't abolish the GMEPP until i get my 84 monther!

 

Hmm no noise with 50+ year old purely mechanical Posi? Not True. My C6 was making a noise and GM replaced the dif fluid as clutch plates caused chatter (noise) in a turn. (Same in my Street Rod that I had to put in friction additive.) Recall many years ago to get Posi to work properly for drag racing had to add a clutch and steel plate or 2! Depends on the fit of those "sloppy" spider gears. Must have special friction modifier lub that allows the clutches to slip or they make noise going around corers!

Hmm, if worried about rubber hydraulic hoses, think about those on your brakes going to calipers. If one of those fail you're SOL! BTW Parker 100R2 "rubber looking" hose has min burst strength of 4,500 psi!

eLSD does much more than an old posi, it alters amount of slip in high speed, high "g" turn to help achieve increased stability. You have a gauge (assuming you have eLSD) that shows percentages. If you can figure out what it is displaying and why you're better than me! Read the Tadge post on those gauge numbers where he had an engineer tell you how it works and what it's reading! Even I had to read very slowly and at the end decided not to look at the values!

Yep some folks are better NOT knowing what's happening! Take the length of a crack allowed in an aluminum air frame component before it needs repair!

 

The standard differentials are notorious for being low on lubrication as delivered. Ever hear of the "warble" sound ? Do a search. That is why Coughlin Chevrolet in Pataskala checks EVERY diff for fluid level as part of their PDI for every Corvette ! They are not doing it because there bored.

 

that stuff had you seeing colors they dont have names for yet

 

All I see is a very expensive system that I will never need or want. Unless the track is your game you don't need it either.

 

eLSD is probably as important for the less skilled driver when a deer, 18-wheeler tire tread etc suddenly appears in the road! It's NOT just when Tracking (nor is the Z51, why ~50% order. In 2020 it was ~70%!)

Perhaps one of the best Z-51 features is eLSD versus the 1960's Positraction in the Base C8. For those interspersed in understanding, this is the FULL Executive Corvette Chief Engineer's long Forum post. He had the engineer in charge of developing the complex software present most of the info. It's in the appendix and I summarized in the front. You'll also find links to video's re standard Postreaction and how ~6 named differently work and their limitations:
http://netwelding.com/eLSD_VS_Posi.pdf

Unlike the 1960's Positraction that ONLY works when one wheel is slipping, eLSD operates and provides stability ALL THE TIME! This display was available for early C8 Z51s.

 

I had a C6 Z51 with eLSD. It clicked while turning sometimes. My C7 doesn't have it and I don't miss it. Don't over think it. A C7 is quick as hell.