remember the tires were spinning (madly) when I hit the rev limiter. The speedo wasn't exactly accurate at that moment. not the best way to get the fastest time although I did take top spot in the novice category =)

I did discover 2nd gear was best even for the slow sections as first gear just had too much torque.


Also noted: even with the sports suspension I need MUCH wider front tires to avoid understeer. My instructor kept saying I was entering the corners too fast - I say my tires just couldn't keep up with my driving style. I'm thinking maybe some 385/20r16s might do the trick. They might solve the spinning the wheels problem too.

 

Yeah - I don't think you'll have to worry about the wheels spinning (or even turning), since they'd be wedged up against the outer wheelwell!

 

I'd say please get the LSD. Driven r56 w and w/o and the w was a much better car.. Easier to control on 2nd and 3rd gear turns with much less torque steer(search the forums). Just my opinion and of course ymmv.

My mcs is ordered with lsd, not dsc.

Cheers

 

One simple way to see how a LSD works is just to play one of those racing simulators. I like Gran Turismo 4. Pick any FWD car, buy a 1-way LSD, and go to a track. Try doing doughnuts with and without the LSD. Without the LSD you will only see only see smoke coming out of your inside tire, with the LSD smoke comes out of both tires. Then try doing laps with it on, and without it. It's only a game, but it will give you an idea of what it does.

Basically an LSD will help maximize the traction available to your car. They won't prevent wheel spin, but the only time you will see it is when you have exceeded the maximum traction your car has. With an open differential you'll get wheel spin even if you still have traction available.

An open differential will channel the engines power to the wheel with the least traction, because it is the path of least resistance. A LSD will channel power to both wheels. Depending on which tire has more traction, it will appropriately split the power between both wheels. So if your right tire has 70% of the traction available, it will send 70% of the engines power to right wheel, and 30% of the remaining power to the left wheel. Some LSDs have limits on how far then can split the power though.