Or do you have to have LSD to get a DTC button?

My '08 MCS has a DSC button and since I've been tracking the car more and more, I was thinking of installing an LSD.

Any thoughts for those in the know.....?

Thanks,

Mark

 

You question is a bit confusing, you seem to be confusing DTC and DSC. DTC is a new option for 09 and DSC is standard in 09. LSD and DSC were totally separate options on 08 and before, Ss could have either, neither or one of them (and Coopers don't get LSD).

 

Thanks Btwyx, but how is DTC and LSD linked?

And yes, I'm confused....

Thanks,

Mark

 

DTC and LSD are in no way linked, nor do they perform the same function (you can have a LSD and use DSC or DTC). DTC is Dynamic Traction Control and LSD is the Limited Slip Differential. A mechanical LSD replaces the open differential in the transmission and its greatest track feature is in improving cornering acceleration. With a standard open-differential power flows the path of least resistance and thus the wheel with the least traction (ever see a car in the winter spinning just one tire which is on ice while the other tire on pavement barely turns?) Open differentials aren't very sporting. A mechanical LSD attempts to flow a percentage of the torque to the wheel that has the traction, making it greatly advantageous in cornering and in other conditions. When corning, a mechanical LSD sends more power to the outside wheel, allowing you to "power out" of the corner.

Think of DTC as a "Sport DSC". Standard DSC monitors and attempts to prevent under and oversteer by reducing power and hitting individual brakes. It intervenes early and takes away the fun of corning because it allows for very little slip before it kills speed. The reason why I state DTC is like a "Sport DSC" is that it does exactly the same thing DSC does (prevent over and understeer) but it's threshold for application is later, thus allowing you to rotate the car just a bit or loose some traction prior to the system hitting the brakes, but eventually it will kick in. DTC also turns off the electronic-nannies sooner than DSC.

You could be confusing DTC and the new for 2009 EDLC (Electronic Differential Lock Control). EDLC is analogous to an electronic LSD. With EDLC, the transmission still has an open differential. However, if you accelerate out of a corner and start to spin the inside tire, EDLC will individually brake the inside wheel to force torque to the outside tire to help you better accelerate through the corner.

If you're starting to track your car more, there is no question that a LSD is the way to go. There is a debate about LSD vs EDLC, but most old-school track-junkies will always say: LSD.

 

Thanks, that was the perfect answer. One question though. If I wanted to install an LSD (electronic or otherwise) can either of these be bought used (take-outs)?

Or is it best to buy a quaife or equivalent aftermarket unit?

Thanks,

Mark

 

You could not retrofit the electronic EDLC from a 2009 to a 2008 (or at least nobody has as far as I'm aware of).

In regards to a used mechanical LSD, it is possible that someone with a 2007-2009 would take out their LSD and sell it or you could look at salvage companies. Our discussion never got in the various types of mechanically driven LSDs: speed-sensitive or torque sensitive, clutch based, worm-gear based, or viscous, 1-way 1.5way or 2-way, lock-percentage, etc. Needless to say, there are probably a few people out there that would like to upgrade from their OEM-optional LSD.

That being said, the only two aftermarket mechanical LSDs for the R56 I currently know of are the OS Giken that MINI-Madness sells and the Cusco which MiniMania sells. The quaife is not approved to work, nor is the OBX (a cheap quaife knock-off). Unfortunately there just aren't as many options for the R56. Most places would also charge $1k for the installation unless you planned on doing it yourself.

 

LTC,

You've been too helpful. I'll look at the one mini madness sells and do a little research.

My car is a daily driver but it looks like going to the track is becoming more and more enjoyable. I'll probably only do 6 weekends a year but if an LSD makes the car handle better in the corners, it might make it that much more enjoyable.

Thanks again,


Mark

 

Please note that you would have to open your transmission to install/remove an LSD. Unless you're really mechanically inclined (myself not included), it's a rather expensive job.

Also, I don't think the factory LSD will fit/work with an automatic transmission, if that is what you have.