C7 Tech/Performance Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

So how does the E-Diff actually work (tune)

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 3, 2018 | 01:36 PM
  #1  
village idiot's Avatar
village idiot
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 1,922
From: DFW, Tejas!
Default So how does the E-Diff actually work (tune)

I watch it and there is virtually no correlation to anything I'm doing and slip %

If anything, it slips more when I'm on throttle than off and it goes red/max when I'm leaving from a stop. Braking and turning seem to have no impact on it, nor does what mode/PTM I'm in.

Does it only really start working differently at high load/G's? You'd think it would have maximum slip under braking and steering.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2018 | 02:59 PM
  #2  
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,999
Likes: 9,764
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Default

That slip indicator is useless. I wouldn't worry about what it is indicating because it more than likely isn't indicating what you think it should be indicating.

Bill
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2018 | 03:33 PM
  #3  
village idiot's Avatar
village idiot
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 1,922
From: DFW, Tejas!
Default

That's why I'm concerned.
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2018 | 04:29 PM
  #4  
Maxpowers's Avatar
Maxpowers
Le Mans Master
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,884
From: Toronto
Default

There is a detailed writeup on this somewhere. I believe it was in an ask tadge. That particular indicator is useless.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 10:18 AM
  #5  
davepl's Avatar
davepl
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 8,729
Likes: 1,507
From: Redmond WA
Default

Someone at Spring Mountain started a rumor that GM said the indicator was useless and it stuck. I don't think that's the case.

There are two readouts you're looking at; clutch application pressure and measured slip delta between the two wheels.

Go out in a large parking lot and drive slowly in a circle at full turn lock, you'll see the slip angle reported.

Now the clutch application pressure might actually be a useless display if it's really a PWM (pulsewidth modulated) application, it's just way too fast for the display to reflect anything useful. But I haven't watched it that closely.

Misunderstood? Indeed. Useless? Perhaps. But I don't think it's wrong.

Last edited by davepl; Jun 4, 2018 at 10:18 AM.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 02:33 PM
  #6  
village idiot's Avatar
village idiot
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 1,922
From: DFW, Tejas!
Default

That's a shame. I'd really like to know when it's locking/unlocking for my lines.
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 08:01 PM
  #7  
Bill Dearborn's Avatar
Bill Dearborn
Tech Contributor
25 Year Member
Liked
Top Answer: 1
Top Answer: 3
 
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 40,999
Likes: 9,764
From: Charlotte, NC (formerly Endicott, NY)
Default

Originally Posted by village idiot
That's a shame. I'd really like to know when it's locking/unlocking for my lines.
If you literally mean locking I don't think it does. It is still a limited slip diff even with the electronics. LSDs don't lock.

Bill
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 08:52 PM
  #8  
robert miller's Avatar
robert miller
Team Owner
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Photoriffic
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,059
Likes: 1,837
From: cookeville tennessee
Default

Originally Posted by Bill Dearborn
If you literally mean locking I don't think it does. It is still a limited slip diff even with the electronics. LSDs don't lock.

Bill
Robert
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-9

Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 08:57 PM
  #9  
village idiot's Avatar
village idiot
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 7,079
Likes: 1,922
From: DFW, Tejas!
Default

Locking up more/slipping more
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2018 | 09:06 PM
  #10  
TAK2TRK's Avatar
TAK2TRK
Instructor
 
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 239
Likes: 29
Default

Originally Posted by robert miller
Robert
"In reality it's an electronically controlled hydraulic wet multiplate clutch pack. It's able to run fully open (zero torque resistance), virtually locked (2,000 Newton-meters, a.k.a. 1,475 pound-feet of resistance) and any point in between. Though it's impossible to feel it working, the eLSD is making adjustments every 11 milliseconds based on feedback from the steering, suspension, ESC, powertrain management system and a new patented tire temperature sensing system."
Source:
https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/...cat=affiliates
Reply
Old Jun 5, 2018 | 01:05 PM
  #11  
Maxpowers's Avatar
Maxpowers
Le Mans Master
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 6,884
Likes: 2,884
From: Toronto
Default

Here is the explanation from the Ask Tadge thread:

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-display.html


Jason Kolk answered:
eLSD is standard on all Stingray Z51, GrandSport, and Z06 models. The eLSD display (the bottom page in the Performance display group) was added in the 2015 model year to Corvettes equipped with eLSD. There are two pieces of information on the display, eLSD clutch coupling percentage value on top in yellow, and the slip percentage of the rear wheels on the bottom in white shown in the bar graph.

eLSD Percentage in the top/middle:
In the center there is an image of the car, two wheels and the differential. The differential lights up as the eLSD coupling increases. The value shown is a percentage of the full locking coupling capability, and it is the actual value reported by the actuator. When we calibrate eLSD, we work in units of torque. 100% corresponds to 2000 Newton-meters (1475 ft-lbs) of break-away torque (every 1% is 20 Nm (14.75 ft-lbs)). Said another way, while holding one wheel stationary it would take 2000 Nm of torque on the other wheel to make the clutch between the two wheels slip if the display read 100%. For reference a C6 mechanical differential clutch pack was roughly 120 Nm (88 ft-lbs). The actuator is very quick to respond and is able to change from open to locked (0 to 100%) 150 ms (.15 sec) in order to respond to any dynamic situation.

There is a lot going on behind the scenes in the software to come up with the eLSD coupling that you're seeing here. There are a number of algorithms that are running at the same time to collectively decide how much coupling is needed for the different vehicle dynamics situations that they each monitor and control. We have some logic to decide which one of them wins out or which ones add together to deliver the final command that you see on the display and feel in the car.

At the most basic level, the eLSD can have a subtle but profound effect on the handling of the car. We really consider it to be a 'base chassis' component. It's something that plays a big part in setting up the character of the car.
Off-throttle, more eLSD coupling adds stability, but too much can be a bad thing. The eLSD is connecting the two wheels so in a turn it's trying to slow down the outside wheel and speed up the inside wheel. In other words the eLSD clutch coupling is trying to oppose the direction that the car is turning, so setting this off-throttle level is pretty important to keeping the car feeling agile. In a steady turn this can help tune the amount of understeer the car has. In highly dynamic maneuvers, this results in something that we call yaw damping where it will reduce the rotation rate of the car.
When the driver is on-throttle, the eLSD clutch can shift torque from the inside wheel to the outside wheel. This has the combined effect of minimizing or eliminating inside wheel spin, but it also controls how much it feels like the car turns with the throttle. More torque on the outside and less on the inside will help the car turn - to a point, but that's the balance we're constantly searching for while we tune the software.

Each package is tuned individually so a Z06 won't have the same values as a Stingray Z51, for example. Automatic and Manual transmissions have different calibrations, and even suspension and tire packages like FE3 and FE4, FE6 and FE7 do differ from each other.

eLSD is fully integrated with the stability control and Performance Traction Management (PTM) systems.

Note that changing from Tour to Sport to Track has no effect on eLSD mode. eLSD mode does change automatically when the Traction Control button is pressed. No unique input from the driver is required.
eLSD Mode 1 is the standard mode when the vehicle is started. It is optimized for how torque is delivered with Traction Control active and off-power there is an emphasis on vehicle stability. Mode 1 is also used in Performance Traction Management Wet mode.
eLSD Mode 2 is engaged when both Traction Control and Electronic Stability Control are turned off. This calibration provides more nimble corner turn-in, and is optimized for traction out of corners.
eLSD Mode 3 is engaged when Performance Traction Management is in Dry, Sport 1 & 2, and Race modes. Off power this is a nimble calibration with similar functionality as eLSD Mode 2, however, it is integrated to work with Performance Traction Management when the driver is on power.
eLSD Mode 4 is engaged when Traction Control is selected off, but stability control remains on. Vehicle stability is still the priority, while allowing for optimized traction out of corners.
Here are some examples of what you may see if you watch this screen. I'll talk generally, so the numbers may not match exactly what you see, but the trends should be there:
Bleed events. The actuator needs to bleed small amounts air out of the hydraulics every few keys cycles to keep things operating consistently. As a driver you may see a couple of spikes to 100% at very low speeds while going straight. This is totally normal and can only happen in a relatively small range of steering on-center so you won't feel it in tight parking lot maneuvers.
Driving straight down the road, we have some speed based preload to add stability and on-center feel. This is going to be relatively small and you will only see a small amount around 10-15% at highway speeds. You'll notice that when you do steering inputs and simple lane changes that it drops down slightly and then pops back up when you are going straight again. This strategy is to improve steering feel and agility. We can be more open at low speeds than previous fixed clutch packs (C6 was fixed at 120 Nm (88 ft-lbs)), and then add more at very high speeds to add stability.
On larger throttle applies you will see eLSD clutch torque grow, and these could be the largest amounts of eLSD coupling that you'll see under normal circumstances. On track this could go as high as 40-50%. The goal of this algorithm is to maximize rear traction while cornering and tune the feel of how much the car is turning while you're on power.
The largest eLSD coupling will happen under very extreme lane changes and slaloms where we can nearly lock the eLSD clutch to add stability at just the right moments, but open back up to allow the car to steer through double lane changes at just the right times.
If you were to drive your car in the winter and start with one wheel on ice and the other on bare pavement, you may see clutch torque build in response the wheel on ice slipping to keep it under control and to maintain smooth acceleration.

Wheel Slip percentage on the bottom of the display:
The important thing to know here is that this slip display is not directly connected to the eLSD software. This wheel slip display has its own calculation and it's showing the average rear wheel slip compared to the average front wheel slip. It's not showing how much slip is occurring across the eLSD clutch (between the two rear wheels), even though I can see how a driver could make that connection. ` Think about this as showing how much rear wheel spin you're getting at the drag strip in a burn-out box, for example.

There may be rare instances where you see this display flicker when you first start to move or when you come to a stop. Don't be alarmed by that, it's function of the math behind the display when the numbers get really small.
Reply
Old Jun 6, 2018 | 06:06 AM
  #12  
thompstl1's Avatar
thompstl1
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 301
Likes: 156
From: Houston Texas
Default

My white ESD indication varies between 11% &13% while driving straight at constant speed on good road.

I've got 1,100 miles on the car and it's done that since the day I got it. I'm assuming that's not right. The car seems to handle perfectly, air pressure is the same in all tires... Bad indication or something going on in the differential itself? Suggestions?
Reply
Old Jun 8, 2018 | 12:43 AM
  #13  
AmmoVet's Avatar
AmmoVet
Melting Slicks
Veteran: Air Force
Photogenic
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,235
Likes: 556
From: Margaritaville Daytona
Default

Originally Posted by thompstl1
My white ESD indication varies between 11% &13% while driving straight at constant speed on good road.

I've got 1,100 miles on the car and it's done that since the day I got it. I'm assuming that's not right. The car seems to handle perfectly, air pressure is the same in all tires... Bad indication or something going on in the differential itself? Suggestions?
I think it is correct and I believe mine reads about the same but I rarely even look at this display.

Look at the second to last paragraph in Maxpowers thread and see this sentence. "This wheel slip display has its own calculation and it's showing the average rear wheel slip compared to the average front wheel slip. It's not showing how much slip is occurring across the eLSD clutch (between the two rear wheels), even though I can see how a driver could make that connection. `"
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To So how does the E-Diff actually work (tune)





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:09 PM.

story-0
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-2
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-3
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!

Slideshow: 10 major Corvette problems from the last 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-14 16:37:05


VIEW MORE
story-5
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!

Slideshow: 5 most and least popular Corvette model years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-08 13:25:01


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette buyer's guide

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-17 16:41:08


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)

Slideshow: 10 things C8 Corvette owners hate, but won't tell you.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-01 18:36:07


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!

Slideshow: Should you add one of these incredible Corvettes to your garage?

By Brett Foote | 2026-04-01 18:14:05


VIEW MORE
story-9
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)

Slideshow: Every Corvette Grand Sport explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-03-26 07:13:44


VIEW MORE