Whats the difference between LSD & ASC?

 

LSD is a physical part that changes the driveline from an open differential, to a limited slip differential. It's goal is to cause both wheels to turn with equal force. It does this by transferring power to the wheel with the most grip. The current Minis have an open differential which allows power to go to the wheel with the least grip.

ASC is a software enhancement that maintains traction and stability by limiting power to certain wheels when it detects a wheel loosing traction, or the car moving in an improper direction. It detects this by sensors in the wheels and yaw sensors attached to the car. When it detects the car slipping or sliding (at a point that exceeds the software parameters) it will begin to make corrections by applying braking to a wheel or wheels or cutting power from the engine.

ASC should be considered more of a safety device, because it makes corrections, when "bad" things happen. LSD should be considered a performance device, because it functions to prevent issues in the first place. They both can work side by side (i.e. a car with ASC can have an LSD). Typically ASC is out there to provide a safer environment for the driver. LSD is a performance enhancement typically provided in front wheel drive cars to allow better cornering and speed out of the corners.

 

Ninjamini, I see you have an 05 MCS on order? Did you get the LSD? If not, I'd say it was a mistake and you should change your order if possible.

LSD's are a VERY big deal if you plan to ever autocross the car.

ASR/DSC/whatever is pretty much worthless for autocross purposes.

The Integra Type-R is a glorious machine which to this point has known no FWD equal . . . And the torsen LSD is a pretty integral part of the equation that made that car so great. The super-bike-esque gear ratios didn't hurt, either.

 

If ASC/DSC is the same as on BMW's you are slightly off. I have a '99 Dinan Supercharged M coupe with ASC and my mom has a '00 Z3 with DSC and there is a world of dfference.

Here's the ASC/DSC difference on BMW's:

ASC is a fairly dumb system as it checks wheelspin against other wheels and when it detects wheelspin on the drive wheels it engages a second throttle body which cuts power to the engine (and as a result the wheels) by cutting off the engine's air supply. The only time I use ASC is in a few limited drives in hard rain. Otherwise it does not allow you to add power through a turn and balance the car.

DSC is the system described above that also involves using the brakes in all four corners independently which is awesome since you can't do that as a human with 1 pedal. Personally I use it almost all the time when driving her Z3. It has definately corrected a few times for me when I forgot which car I was in and tried taking turns like I had a 360hp 300lb monster with 500lb springs, big tires, and tons more rigidity.

The LSD is the physical component mentioned above.

If you think you might want to use traction control in everyday driving GET DSC it is worth every penny. Then again I would also say that LSD's are worth it since you limit how much the traction control will need to work and put more power down.

Patrick

 

I have a week 28 production. I really do not want 2 wait till feb to get the car. But I like the perfomence...but it is a daily driver.

 

ASC actually uses wheelspin and throttle position and availble engine torque to determine what to do. If engine torque to too much for the available traction, the ABS unit requests the engine controller to reduce torque. The amount of traction is determined by the amount and rate of wheel slip. If one of the driven wheels is spinning faster than the other, the abs unit will apply braking pressure to the fastest spinning wheel to push the torque to the wheel with more traction through the differential. It is a "performance" feature. It aids people who don't know how to drive in bad conditions and try to peel away when there's no traction (ice, snow, rain). Its a luxury feature for when you have to climb or accelerate on split surfaces like half on ice or gravel.

DSC, however, is a safety feature to catch the vehicle once you have passed its limits for stability. If you take a turn or a corner incorrectly, DSC will sense the vehicle's under- or over-steer with the aide of the steering sensor, yaw sensor, lateral acceleration sensor and corrects this by applying braking force to individual wheels to put the vehicle back on path.

LSD affects how much slip between the driven wheels is allowed before the differential locks. This is a mechanical part that does half of what ASC tries to do. The second half being the torque reduction because of driver error.