[Fot] Triumph GT6 Differential - LS versus welded

[Scott Janzen]

You might recall I posed a question about this a year+ ago.  Jason came down strongly in favor of welded, others had different opinions.
I ended up buying a Gripper limited slip unit out of england and put it in (clutch type).  I’m very pleased with the unit - I told them how I use the car, approx HP, tires, and they basically set it up for maximum pressure.  I can push the car around the paddock more easily, but I’m getting no inside wheel spin in corners, no matter what corner or speed, so that seems good.

Lap Times - the real test.  I ran last year with the welded unit at both Summit Point and Lime Rock.
My best time at Summit was a 1:30.8 in 2023, at Lime Rock it was a 1:07.2
Last year the engine was freshly rebuilt over ’22-’23 winter.  Tires were new Speedsters for Summit Point, slightly less new by the time I got to Lime Rock.

This year my best time at Summit was a 1:30.3, Lime Rock 1:07.9.
Engine is the same, probably somewhat tired after six race weekends (I’m actually pulling it now to change rod bearings).
Tires (speedsters) were fresh for Summit again this year.

Conclusion?  The driving style is definitely different, and I feel like I can place the car more precisely with the LS. I think it helps me a bit with speed in the Carousel at Summit.  However, there appears to be no big difference in lap times.  If I’d been consistently faster at both tracks I’d make more of a case for it, but that was not the clear outcome.  However, the lack of a fresh engine this year is probably good for something.  It will get a full rebuild or an alternate new engine for next year and the east coast Kastner cup, so we’ll see what that data shows.

The jury is still out, but right now, I’m not making a strong case for spending $1,100 for  the LS.  It’s fine, but not apparently inherently superior by much of a margin.  I like turning the car into the turns, rather than throwing it in to get the rear sliding like I did with the welded unit, but I can adapt either way. 

I do like the Gripper, it has seamless engagement, seems to be excellent quality, no wheel spin like I hear from Quaiffe users.  BTW, I did have to get out the air grinder and do some minor clearancing on the diff housing.  It’s a tight fit, and there was minor interference with bolt heads and the circumference of the diff.

More than you wanted to know!!!

Scott
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://autox.team.net/pipermail/fot/attachments/20240621/eae0ef7a/attachment.htm>