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Login to post Forums » Grassroots Motorsports » Should I get LSD or a fresh set of rubbers?

March 12, 2011 9:14 a.m. cxhb HalfDork

Alright its come to this. I finally have the money to put an LSD in my car and now I feel like maybe a good set of RA-1's might be a better option... Car in question is a 00 civic with a B16 swap if anyone wanted to know.

I am betting if I get the wavetrac LSD I'll probably end up doing synchros and a full rebuild by the time I get it all back together since I'm in there so that will probably cost me more in the long run...

There is always the option of the LSD and a set of used RA-1's instead of new ones... What would a GRMer do?
March 12, 2011 9:25 a.m. Moparman HalfDork

Tires. An LSD with poor tires will just mean that you get a little better traction under power (versus the open diff). A good set of tires gives you better grip all around.
March 12, 2011 9:26 a.m. Luke SuperDork

This could be a completely different thread in off-topic .

While you may in fact reap greater benefit from fresh rubber, tires are consumable, while an LSD (a LSD?) ought to last the lifetime of the car.

I'd get the LSD and used RA-1's.
March 12, 2011 10:01 a.m. Conquest351 Reader

Yeah, if this wasn't a car forum, this thread would take a waaaay different turn. LOL
March 12, 2011 11:13 a.m. digdug18 HalfDork

I'd go LSD as well, your going to want to save up for a trans rebuild though at some point. Maybe some carbon synchros. That would be a good time to put in a LS 5th gear as well. there is a nice write up on rebuilding the B-series transmission over at team-integra.net
March 12, 2011 12:03 p.m. mw HalfDork

I'd do LSD. A year from now, you will be much happier with your LSD instead of your dead ra1's. It's not hard to find used tires in those sizes anyway.
March 12, 2011 12:30 p.m. clutchsmoke New Reader

I happen to have a good condition Integra Type R LSD sitting not 5 feet from me. I could let it go for $300 plus shipping. Which would probably be about $20 since it's fairly hefty. I got a good deal on a Type R trans and don't need this diff anymore.

At stock B16 power levels even just decent rubber paired with the LSD is a huge improvement in traction.
March 12, 2011 12:33 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

I'll ask the stupid question: What kind of racing are you doing?
March 12, 2011 12:49 p.m. cxhb HalfDork

poopshovel wrote:

I'll ask the stupid question: What kind of racing are you doing?

Autocross and the little "time attack" events I put on over the summer.
March 12, 2011 12:50 p.m. cxhb HalfDork

digdug18 wrote:

I'd go LSD as well, your going to want to save up for a trans rebuild though at some point. Maybe some carbon synchros. That would be a good time to put in a LS 5th gear as well. there is a nice write up on rebuilding the B-series transmission over at team-integra.net

I like the way you think. An LS fifth gear in this car would be really nice for the highway... I thought an LS fifth gear didnt fit in a B16 trans though?
March 12, 2011 12:51 p.m. cxhb HalfDork

Conquest351 wrote:

Yeah, if this wasn't a car forum, this thread would take a waaaay different turn. LOL

lol I was hoping it would get that reaction haha
March 12, 2011 1:21 p.m. sachilles Dork

LSD over tires. Tires will make more of an immediate impact, but the lsd will have more overall benefits over time. A lsd won't overcome garbage tires. Wish you were closer, I have a lsd equipped trans I need to sell, but shipping stinks on such items.
March 12, 2011 1:47 p.m. Rustspecs13 Reader

I bought my kaaz 2 way for my S13 a few years ago. Its still going strong 5 years and 4 cars later. It makes the car far more fun :D

Its made some marks at derricks events.

I guess I'm voting for used tires and an LSD. But silly FF's are different.

~Alex
March 12, 2011 4:03 p.m. poopshovel SuperDork

cxhb wrote:

poopshovel wrote:

I'll ask the stupid question: What kind of racing are you doing?

Autocross and the little "time attack" events I put on over the summer.

I'd second LSD + used race rubber then.
March 12, 2011 4:24 p.m. SkinnyG Reader

I'd third the LSD. And with 50% Xylene and 50% Toluene, used doesn't have to feel so used. I've already had my kids, so I'm not worried about birth defects anymore.
March 12, 2011 6:28 p.m. friedgreencorrado SuperDork

SkinnyG wrote: I've already had my kids, so I'm not worried about birth defects anymore.

If this doesn't end up in the magazine, I'm picketing the home office. Even if Margie puts me under the patio for it..
March 12, 2011 8:10 p.m. digdug18 HalfDork

cxhb wrote:

digdug18 wrote:

I'd go LSD as well, your going to want to save up for a trans rebuild though at some point. Maybe some carbon synchros. That would be a good time to put in a LS 5th gear as well. there is a nice write up on rebuilding the B-series transmission over at team-integra.net

I like the way you think. An LS fifth gear in this car would be really nice for the highway... I thought an LS fifth gear didnt fit in a B16 trans though?

Yeah, it'll fit, actually an LS cable 5th gear would be the perfect match for you versus the hydro 5th gear I mean. It fits and you'd still get good acceleration in 5th that way, but have lower rpm's on the highway. Its also rather nice that you can get a cable trans for dirt cheap compared Your thinking of the gsr gears, the synchros are of a different design.

hydro LS 5th 0.714

cable Ls 5th 0.742

type-r 5th 0.848
March 12, 2011 9:14 p.m. Raze Dork

BOTH, and you people call yourself GRM enablers, pfffffft...
March 12, 2011 10:16 p.m. 92CelicaHalfTrac SuperDork

Both... Sounds like a good night.
March 13, 2011 11:58 p.m. cxhb HalfDork

In reply to digdug18:

I think thats what ill do if I can find one... Good lord this keeps getting more and more expensive. lol
March 14, 2011 1:13 a.m. clutchsmoke New Reader

Oh. No wonder you don't want my LSD. It won't fit in the B16 trans. At least according to Wavetrac's website.. MFactory makes a really good quality helical LSD for $600. The same or better than Honda OEM.
March 14, 2011 7:01 a.m. cxhb HalfDork

clutchsmoke wrote:

Oh. No wonder you don't want my LSD. It won't fit in the B16 trans. At least according to Wavetrac's website.. MFactory makes a really good quality helical LSD for $600. The same or better than Honda OEM.

I'll take a look at it. I'm trying to stay away from helicals because if one wheel loses contact with the ground its officially back to being an open diff. But then again I don't want to go full-on clutch pack diff either because those can be REALLY harsh and annoying to deal with especially on an FF car, not to mention needs rebuiding after a given amount of time. The Wavetrac seems to be the best of both worlds and isn't that expensive when compared to a Kaaz or Carbotech or OS Giken. Ill read some reviews on the MFactory and check them out... at $600 its definitely worth looking into and may be a better option. Thank you!
March 14, 2011 7:25 a.m. digdug18 HalfDork

If it won't fit then its news to me, I've always heard that they fit. Worse comes to worse, grab a new trans case to drop your gears into. You can find a trans that has already burnt up gears fairly easily, and in that case, the gsr trans is the one to get, the synchros are of(i'm told/seen pictures) a superior 2 piece design for 2nd gear, that allows more abuse until it takes a crap.

Andrew

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