Whats the effect of the torsen/SCE center diff on handling?

[Unlogic]

My car isn't putting down much more than stock power yet in slow tight turns on the track I'm often able to light up both front tires coming out the corners resulting in horrible understeer.

Since I track my car almost once a week during the summer months I'm quite interested in solving this issue.

I'm looking at the SCE torsen based center diff in order to have more torque sent to the rear wheels. However the SCE center diff isn't exactly cheap or quick to install.

Therefore I'd like to know from those of you that have actually installed the SCE torsen center diff, how did it affect your handling?

Did it reduce understeer? Is it more "predictable" than the stock diff? How hard was it to install and shim?

[Bloodlust182]

Here check this thread out for some info from people that have them Who's running the SCE torsen center diff or a LSD front diff.? - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center
Not trying to support 3SI but thats where the info is )=

[Unlogic]

Thanks!

That's the type of information I'm looking for.

[anyonebutme]

it requires a different driving style than the stock diff....seems to act pretty much in reverse of the stock diff, understeer entry and oversteers on power....if you have enough power.

also sounds like your vcu is toast.

[R/T93]

it requires a different driving style than the stock diff....seems to act pretty much in reverse of the stock diff, understeer entry and oversteers on power....if you have enough power.

also sounds like your vcu is toast.

Like mine is!

From the phone.

[J. Fast]

My car isn't putting down much more than stock power yet in slow tight turns on the track I'm often able to light up both front tires coming out the corners resulting in horrible understeer.

Since I track my car almost once a week during the summer months I'm quite interested in solving this issue.

I'm looking at the SCE torsen based center diff in order to have more torque sent to the rear wheels. However the SCE center diff isn't exactly cheap or quick to install.

Therefore I'd like to know from those of you that have actually installed the SCE torsen center diff, how did it affect your handling?

Did it reduce understeer? Is it more "predictable" than the stock diff? How hard was it to install and shim?

While you're researching have you tried left foot braking to kill the understeer? We were just discussing the topic on 3sgto Facebook this afternoon. You can pretty much set our cars neutral with decent dampeners, great brakes and good technique.

Under the Pedal Transition Black Tab there's a hyperlink for left foot braking. Here's a good link for driving technique for where you might be now. Racing line | Advanced track technique

I use left foot braking to set the front end prior to corner entry and brake boost to lock the stock diffs. It works really well. It's a driving technique option vs swapping in an alternative diff.

[sergechronos]

My car isn't putting down much more than stock power yet in slow tight turns on the track I'm often able to light up both front tires coming out the corners resulting in horrible understeer.

Since I track my car almost once a week during the summer months I'm quite interested in solving this issue.

I'm looking at the SCE torsen based center diff in order to have more torque sent to the rear wheels. However the SCE center diff isn't exactly cheap or quick to install.

Therefore I'd like to know from those of you that have actually installed the SCE torsen center diff, how did it affect your handling?

Did it reduce understeer? Is it more "predictable" than the stock diff? How hard was it to install and shim?

Does sound rather like a bad (or going bad) VCU. Small world though as I had been debating about what my next steps would be after this rebuild is complete, and one of the things I considered was new front, center and rear diffs.

Here check this thread out for some info from people that have them Who's running the SCE torsen center diff or a LSD front diff.? - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center
Not trying to support 3SI but thats where the info is )=

Good link. Eventually we will get all the data (and non-trolls) migrated over here I hope.

While you're researching have you tried left foot braking to kill the understeer? We were just discussing the topic on 3sgto Facebook this afternoon. You can pretty much set our cars neutral with decent dampeners, great brakes and good technique.

Thanks for the link J, always good to learn more and better ways to do things. Surprised you don't have the torsen honestly..because racecar.

The difference between a Torsen and non-Torsen diff is unreal though. Admittedly there were other changes in suspension and braking and such, but a Trailblazer SS with a Torsen is a completely different monster than regular Trailblazer. I'd love to ride, or drive, a track with someone with the diff to get a more direct comparison to just the factory VCU for our cars before I'd throw down that kind of cash unless I had done everything else suspension wise.

[anyonebutme]

While you're researching have you tried left foot braking to kill the understeer? We were just discussing the topic on 3sgto Facebook this afternoon. You can pretty much set our cars neutral with decent dampeners, great brakes and good technique.

Under the Pedal Transition Black Tab there's a hyperlink for left foot braking. Here's a good link for driving technique for where you might be now. Racing line | Advanced track technique

I use left foot braking to set the front end prior to corner entry and brake boost to lock the stock diffs. It works really well. It's a driving technique option vs swapping in an alternative diff.

speaking of that facebook post. Since I can't respond there I'll respond here, how the hell do you change gears without the clutch in a syncro box? You say you left food brake and just keep your right foot planted while braking.........OK, that's all fine and dandy, but the entire point of heel-and-toe is CHANGING GEARS. Having hand of god brakes and NLTS has nothing to do with backing down the gears under braking.

[Unlogic]

it requires a different driving style than the stock diff....seems to act pretty much in reverse of the stock diff, understeer entry and oversteers on power....if you have enough power.

Thanks for the reply, this is exactly the information I was after.

What you describe sounds a lot like the behavior I often see from torsen equipped Audi Quattros on the track. They come shooting out of the corners often with a slight drift while I'm fighting to reduce the understeer...

Guess I have to send an e-mail to supercar and see if I can get myself a new center diff to install this winter.