Limited Slip Differential Options

[UCrazyKid]

I've had my 996 now for about a month and the only thing I am truely dissapointed about is that it does not have a limited slip differential (LSD). PSM does not come close to making up for it. When trying to put powerdown in a corner and the brakes come on it is not a good feeling. I would rather modulate my traction myself with the gas pedal than have the computer step in and do it with the brakes.

What are my options? I prefer to low maintainance with a gear type LSD instead of a clutch type. I've used Torsen's (in my S2000's) and been quite happy. I see that Quaife makes one for the 996. What sort of LSD was offered in the 1999 Carrera? Should I look for one to pull out of a wrecked car? Order the part from Porsche? Part from a Turbo, GT3?

How will the LSD interact with the PSM?

How hard is the install?

Any advise would be great.

Thanks,

Andy

Oh, and Happy New Year!

Edited January 2, 2007 by UCrazyKid

[mpikounis]

As far as I know your best bet would be the LSD from an anniversary edition 996 - that is if you want a Porsche diff. I wouldn't worry about PSM, the only thing you will notice is that it will not come on as often as it does now (at least this is what happened with a Z4 with a quaife LSD that I used to have). If I were you, I would definitely go for the quaife option. It is a great diff, very durable and relatively cheap to buy.

[my996]

UcrazyKid, please continue to post your progress. I would be interested in installing one of these too. Which brand do you think you will purchase?

Thanks

[UCrazyKid]

my996,

Will do. So far it looks like Quaife is the only one making a mechanical (gears) diff. I'm trying to track down the part numbers for the 40th anniversary Carrera LSD and see if that is a viable option.

Andy

[Mitty]

Has anyone got experience with this:

Quaife 996 6-speed ATB differential

[viper501]

This is getting interesting. I'm just hoping we can find them inside the U.S. so we don't get raped on the exchange rate ....

[mpikounis]

I have no experience of this specific diff but I had plenty of experience with the same item adjusted to fit the BMW Z4. It completely transformed the car and worked without any problems for at least a year (then I sold the car!). It never slips, it does not wear down, it makes no noises and it is very smooth in its operation. The only reason it is not already in my 996 is that I find the 996s grip and behaviour good eveb without an LSD. The Z4 on the other hand, was rubbish without it and amazing fun with it.

[UCrazyKid]

What I know so far...

Dealer I talked to wouldn't give me a part number.

They quoted me $5505 for the locking diff and 9 hours of labor ~$1,395.

Sounds awefully high to me. They told me that until recently Porsche would supply no part numbers and that it was just recently that they trained the mechanics to work on the 6-speed.

Pretty expensive for a gear driven LSD. I'll keep digging.

[viper501]

Dealer sounds like an idiot or a huckster. Won't give you the part number? When did part numbers become top secret? Why don't you try Brandywine or Suncoast or Sunset and see what they say.

[UCrazyKid]

I got the part number second time around. Perhaps they overlooked it in my first email.

996-332-083-00

Looking for a better price...

[UCrazyKid]

second quote is "4683.00 and a month from Germany for that. Plus shipping out to you."

Probably not the route to go.

[viper501]

Might try Gert at Carnewal.com . Not something that he lists as I recall but he might be able to get it. With the exchange right now it might not be pretty though.

[Vman]

Might try Gert at Carnewal.com . Not something that he lists as I recall but he might be able to get it. With the exchange right now it might not be pretty though.

I just finished installing two differentials in my 996's. First the factory limited differential is a 22(on throttle)/40 (off throttle) and needs to be rebuilt or at least checked every 50,000 miles. The Quaife is torsen sensing, so its results are said by many to be inconsistant and not really as good as a true limited slip, particularly on the track. The best maker of after market limited slip diffs is Guard Transmission, http://www.guardtransmission.com, I just bought a 40/60 Guard limited slip. The guard unit is not cheap it will cost about $2,600 then another $600 to buy 993 G50 flanges to fit in a 996, plus about 6 hours of labor (assuming you can find a shop that knows how to drop a transmission without taking out the engine). Note - factory GT3's use a 40/65 limited slip ...beware if you are going to use the car on the road as well as track to not go much more aggressive than a 40/60. Finally stay away from no name groups, there are some dirt bags out there in the tranmission arena.

VMAN

[apex944]

I have a Quaife (new in box w/ warranty) sitting on the shelf here do to customer bailing.

I'll make somebody a deal on it. Email, Speed(at)ApexCompetition.com if interested.

Edited January 9, 2007 by apex944

[Drift]

Whatever happen to this thread?

It has a lot of good info.