Limited Slip Diff - Worth £915?

[mr-lovebucket]

Firstly, hello everyone! I'm new to this forum and to Caterhams. I have just ordered my first R300 kit due to be delivered in December, and am very excited!

I wondered if I could ask for people's views on the limited-slip diff option? It's £915 on the R300, and James Drake at Caterhams assures me it's worth having, but I wouldn't mind a 2nd opinion. I plan to mainly drive the car on country roads in nice weather (with the occasional track day) and am sceptical whether I could really notice much difference, and whether it's worth paying £915. I'd be very interested to hear people's views, especially if people have directly compared cars with and without the limited-slip diff...

I did do a quick search of the forums and couldn't find any previous discussions on this subject, but sorry if I'm covering old ground...

Thanks everyone,

[Eugene7]

A little different, btu I have an Ital axle 7 and fitted an LSD a few years back. The difference is amazing - lov it, and would not want to go back!

[Smollet]

When I got my Roadsport back in 2008 I ordered a standard diff. 6 months later a got a Quaiffe ATB fitted by CC and the car became alive. Cornering was vastly improved.

[EFA]

If you are paying that sort of money, be sure to ask for a ZF type LSD mechanism which has been modified with 30 degree ramps, and adjusted fro a car the weight of a Seven.

If not, take your existing standard diff to Phil Stewart.

Torque Biasing LSD's have a tendency to break 2nd gear if you do trackdays and ride kerbs.

Standard Ford LSD's withe the ZF mechanism tend to make the car understeer quite badly.

Standard Ford LSD's are also really bad news in the wet, and can cause you to change direction/crash without warning even when applying modest anmouts of throttle.

[sfaulds]

Caterham haven't supplied the ZF for a couple of years now - the replacement Titan is a much nicer diff.

[thequietone]

If the car is for track use, the LSD is a must have (in my opinion). If you tick the LSD box you'll get a Quaiffe ATB (unless you order a race car, an R500 or a CSR. If you ask them when ordering you will be able to specify the Titan (plate type LSD) diff but I think it's slightly more expensive. As has been said above the Titan is a great bit of kit and well worth the initial outlay - you'll only want to have it fitted at a later date if you dont do it now and that will cost you a load more money!

Just my 2p.

[7 Sevens]

In terms of resale you would think most people would expect a LSD to be fitted in a R300 so thats worth considering.

[mr-lovebucket]

Thanks everyone, some good points there. I think I'm just about convinced. Whether I will upgrade from the standard LSD I'm not so sure - I probably won't be taking it on the track all that often. Or perhaps I will once i've got a taste for it..

[andy636]

I've just bought a new R300 with the standard LSD. Coming out of 2nd gear corners and planting the right foot is heaven. Slight tail out, slight opposite lock, full on fun and great traction all the way out of the corner. Highly recommended.
I know it's a very different car but if I do the same in my BMW 545 with the traction off it shows just how much an LSD works.

[jleroux]

buying a caterham without an LSD is like paying for a high-class hooker and just cuddling her all night

[BYKer Will]

Perfect thread. How can you improve on Stuart with technical input and Johnny on prossey advice?



Will

PS get a slippy unless you are a closet polisher

[Nicodema]

+1 on the Quaife ATB

Really good match for the R300. Very smooth action, doesn't add any noticable understeer, just gives you a nice power delivery, fading into a controllable slide as you feed in too much right foot. If I was racing I might go for the Titan, but for road and trackday I'm happy that the ATB was the right choice, particularly as my girlfriend is learning to drive fast in the car also.

[chris_speed]

Jonny is spot on IMO. Wouldn't consider a 7 without one.