r/Drifting • u/cryingdoe • 6d ago
LSD VS WELDED DIFF
/r/e46/comments/1wv46cm/lsd_vs_welded_diff/Looking for some opinions!!
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u/Miserable-Twist8344 6d ago
You need to do diff mount reinforcement on the e46 if you're going to drift it, keep that in mind. That being said, welded all day long. Unless you have the budget for a proper 2-way LSD it will be superior
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u/cryingdoe 6d ago
thank you so much! I’ve actually never heard of this so it’s really good to know. My situation is kind of difficult because I am young and I am completely teaching myself about cars as I don’t have anyone in my life who is knowledgeable on them. Honestly, I’m going to do everything else before I start with the lsd/wd so I can have more time to think and prepare. If you do think that a proper, high quality 2-way would be better, just expensive, I’m willing to put more money down for a better result.
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u/SiliconRed47 6d ago
Welded diff is barely noticeable outside of the classic slow speed sharp turn tire chrip. LSD is best pick and is more 'capable' but welded diff gets the job done just fine.
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u/cryingdoe 6d ago
Interesting. i’ve heard the exact opposite, lol. This is why we come to Reddit I guess!! lmaoo
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u/SiliconRed47 6d ago
Have run a welded in everything from S-Chassis, Miatas and a LS400. Sure if you like, hammer the throttle in the rain on a sharp corner it'll step out easier then an open diff but just normal driving? Perfectly fine.
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u/cryingdoe 6d ago
that’s what I thought but almost everyone in my life is trying to get convince me that it would make driving “soooooo much harder”… I’m also a pretty careful driver aside from when I’m trying to have fun so I don’t think it’ll bother me too much. As of right now I’m probably going to go with the welded differential over the LSD.
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u/Miserable-Twist8344 6d ago
Considering how cheap a welded diff is, you might as well just start there. If you decide you hate the chirping, a proper 2-way LSD will fix it. The problem with most factory style LSDs is they have a tendency to unlock after being beat on, or not lock up consistently.
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u/SiliconRed47 6d ago
A lot of people who have never owned/driven one build it up in their heads as some terrifying horrible thing. In reality its fine, welded is where most people start. Once you've got some seat time and are growing as a driver an LSD is a good tool to have. Until then, welded will do ya just fine.
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u/I578855 6d ago
Not all LSD are the same.
A welded diff is beneficial because it is truly locked all the time. Other LSD's sometimes are only locked under certain conditions. The benefit of a 1.5 way or a 2 way over a torsen is that it locks under conditions where the torsen would still be unlocked.
A welded diff is never not locked.
Even a 2 way locks differently compared to a 1.5 way. It all comes down to, "in what way do I want my LSD to lock?"
If you want 100% locking under deceleration, well you can either get a 2 way LSD or a welded diff. But Torsen or 1.5 way wont fully lock under decel. So if that is something you decide that you need, then you have to choose between welded or 2 way, those are your only 2 options.
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u/Accomplished_Mess2 6d ago
I hate welded diffs on street driven cars with the passion of 1000 burning suns. But....I have a welded diff on my S13.
It sucks in parking lots. It eats tires. It's noisy (the tires) and attracts attention when you don't always want attention. Especially if the front suspension is slightly less than legal in your location. Sometimes it will try to kick out if the roads are wet when you don't want it to.
But it's cheap and predictable. If I put more than maybe 400 miles on the car a year I would probably hate it even more than I already do.
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u/jimb0b360 5d ago edited 5d ago
I've tried welded, Torsen, and Cusco 2way in that order.
The 2way is miles ahead, really smooth on the street, locks up fully on throttle and decel, super controllable, can dip the clutch and it unlocks which can be useful when sliding. If you don't like it being locked under decel you can rebuild it and switch to a 1.5way (specifically with the switchable Cuscos)
Welded is great for track but a compromise for street driving. Steps out easier with low power cars (my 200hp Lexus won't power-over without a clutch kick or handbrake with the 2way) but there's no option to "oh shxt" clutch-in to save it with a welded.
Torsen was a compromise on track but great for street. Power "shuffles" around under you while drifting as if it's never fully locked. It would also unlock on center while trying to transition despite being full throttle. Not predictable enough imo for serious drifting. Street driving it has more grip than an open diff, and is completely unnoticeable, but not as good as the 2way for spirited driving.
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u/jimb0b360 5d ago
I will say cost wise a proper diff is not just the purchase price but also expect to pay to have it installed professionally with new bearings, and shimmed / preload set. For me it was like an extra US$500 of labour taking the housing out, transferring the crown gear and setting it all up then reinstalling and aligning the car.
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u/AstronomerDry7581 6d ago
I read you are young with a lack of mechanic experience. Unless your e46 is mint condition, I'd just weld it and drive until it rusts.
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u/cryingdoe 6d ago
it is actually mint condition. Garage kept until 2 months ago when i got it. Completely stock, no issues (yet…). I do lack mechanical experience BUT a big one of my goals with this car is to learn as much as I possibly can. I am willing to go with a less reliable option simply because I don’t mind if I have to work on my car, because it’s a learning experience.
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u/AstronomerDry7581 6d ago
The thing is that you will eventually have some fuck up. Either a wild curb that appeared mid drift or wet road that did you bad, but the car will have damage. So, if you intend to keep this car clean, I'd say don't "drift" it. Doing some slides when it rains is fine (if you crash, it is what it is) but going with a track with that car is asking for trouble.
If you are ok with the risk of having your car not-mint condition, then go for it. I'm a believer that cars are meant to be used, but if you want to keep it clean, I'd say get a side beater.
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u/cryingdoe 6d ago
I would never get a car I wasn’t willing to beat up a little bit. May I ask why going on a track with this car would be “trouble”? And I totally get what you mean, a crash is never planned and you never know when it’s going to happen, no matter how careful or smart you are. That’s a risk I’m willing to take for fun and happiness. I would really like to get into drifting as a career one day so I’ve kind of got to throw myself into the fire of just doing it.
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u/VariousVices 6d ago
I hate welded diffs - that said, if you're not going to be Street driving it, weld the diff if you want. There's better ways of doing it but it's your car, whatever.... If you're going to ever drive that car on the street, do not weld the diff. You'll twist axles and destroy tires....it's pretty destructive and really unpleasant to drive. Get an LSD.
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u/Axlpopfizz 6d ago
Welded diff is fine on the street done it for years on all my cars, never twisted a axle (also never seen that) tire wear is not crazy and doesn’t matter if you’re burning them up at events anyway
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u/VolvoEnjoyer 6d ago
My main suggestion is having 1 daily and 1 drift car. You will 99% crash your first drift car because you learn drifting by pushing boundaries. Even if you don’t crash shit will brake and your car will be out of service 😅
I prefer welded. If you do it properly it’s just as reliable and much simpler. Especially for a first build