Limited Slip Diffs

[Kev]

Do I really need one?

My Elise is down at a company called Woodsport who are using it as a test mule for a 3.0 V6 engine conversion they are hoping to offer. There will be a separate build thread from them once they get stuck in, hopefully in about 5 weeks time.

One of the options they offer is a Torsen LSD and I’m not sure if I really need one for mainly road driving and the odd trackday. I remember reading something about the Elise being designed so it didn’t need one and Lotus only offer it as an option to keep the American autocrosses happy.

So wise ones, do I spend a little more money while the gearbox is stripped and get one fitted or do I leave it?

[Mikie711]

A torsen LSD was an option for some of the later Elises, but nothing will divide opinion quicker than the age old discussion as to weather or not you "need" one. I have had it both ways, but with a quaiffe ATB not torsen. It helps in the slow stuff, like sprints and hillclimbs but can make the car nervous in higher speed corners. Tends to give more oversteer if you are pushing on. For the road I wouldn't bother, that said you will have a fair bit more weight over the back and a lot more torque/power from a V6. It has been done before the V6 conversion with a VW engine, can't remember what the gearbox spec was though. Are you retaining the PG1 or using the box that came with the engine?

[Kev]

They will be using a Mr2 N/A gearbox with the 1MZ-FE V6 from a toyota camry. I'm just trying to decide if its worth the extra expense while the gearbox is out. Having not driven a car with one, I have no idea what the difference would feel like, so I suppose with that I wouldn't miss not having one.

[mwmackenzie]

Wow a 3.0l V6....

Watching with great interest! Sounds awesome

[Kev]

Wow a 3.0l V6....

Watching with great interest! Sounds awesome

Yeah I'm really looking forward to it, if they manage to pull it off, which I'm sure they will. They are very confident, because Monkey Wrench Racing in the states managed to fit the 3.5 2GR-FE engine, which is the same engine as the Evora, into the back of an Elise and the 1MZ-FE is smaller and lighter. They hope the total increase in weight over the K and PG1 gearbox is going to be the region of 40-50kgs and they hope to offer a turnkey conversion for about £5K-£6K.

Exciting times

[roadboy]

I wouldn't bother with an LSD Kev.

HTH

Dan

[OlberJ]

Right, third time lucky to actually post this, keeps crashing!

You'll not go wrong with Paul and Anth, top lads and nobody knows the V6 swaps better. I know because that's where i worked for 2 years. Make sure you rip the piss out of them though, it's pre-requisite. Paul is one of the Dingles and Anth is Verne Troyer, you'll know what i mean if you've met them.

You're going for the exact set up i have in my Mr2 roadster, 1MZ, Mk2 NA box, Torsen LSD.

The noise is utterly addictive. The speed is pretty damn good and the torque is ultra pleasing.

I got my gearbox rebuilt with the LSD and also a Celica ST182 final drive to lengthen the gears a touch (7% IIRC). I find it's perfect 1-4 for a/b road blasts but could do with the diesel 5th for motorway journeys and those big clear A roads right up north! I'd say the 5th gear mod is more of a priority than the LSD. I can work mine on the twisties and it does throw you out the corner cleaner but as mentioned above, it's not really needed for the road.

As the Roadster is around 975kg's standard, with a bit less from an S2 you'll really enjoy the way the thing hussles.

If you're down in Glasgow at all, give me a shout and i'd be glad to take you for a spin in the 2.

We've been talking about doing this swap for years, guess that buggers gonna beat me to it


Olie

[OlberJ]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVkqCFhO-k0

[Kev]

I wouldn't bother with an LSD Kev.

HTH

Dan

Cheers Dan

Right, third time lucky to actually post this, keeps crashing!

You'll not go wrong with Paul and Anth, top lads and nobody knows the V6 swaps better. I know because that's where i worked for 2 years. Make sure you rip the piss out of them though, it's pre-requisite. Paul is one of the Dingles and Anth is Verne Troyer, you'll know what i mean if you've met them.

You're going for the exact set up i have in my Mr2 roadster, 1MZ, Mk2 NA box, Torsen LSD.

The noise is utterly addictive. The speed is pretty damn good and the torque is ultra pleasing.

I got my gearbox rebuilt with the LSD and also a Celica ST182 final drive to lengthen the gears a touch (7% IIRC). I find it's perfect 1-4 for a/b road blasts but could do with the diesel 5th for motorway journeys and those big clear A roads right up north! I'd say the 5th gear mod is more of a priority than the LSD. I can work mine on the twisties and it does throw you out the corner cleaner but as mentioned above, it's not really needed for the road.

As the Roadster is around 975kg's standard, with a bit less from an S2 you'll really enjoy the way the thing hussles.

If you're down in Glasgow at all, give me a shout and i'd be glad to take you for a spin in the 2.

We've been talking about doing this swap for years, guess that buggers gonna beat me to it


Olie

Cheers Olie

I've been doing a fair bit of reading on Twobrutal and noticed your build, top job

Yeah Paul and Anth seem top blokes, defiantly know their stuff, looking forward to dealing with them.

Paul has highly recommended the 5th gear mod, which I've gone for. I'm thinking I'll give the LSD a miss and put the money in a pot for when they get round to that supercharger mod.

[Modena Scotland]

For what you use the Loti, I don't think you need one.