LSD question?

No the other LSD, a limiter slip differential.

My mercedes 280slc doesn't have a limited slip diff and these cars were never offered with one. While some of the V8 models had them, the gear ratio is both unsuitable and the differential is also much bigger than in a mercedes 6 cylinder. I believe my car has a gear ratio of around 3.06:1 so I would like to keep it that way.

I was thinking that maybe I could adapt something from a 6 cylinder BMW to work on my car. I would think a BMW with around the same power would use a similar ratio to mercedes. I am just wondering if anyone has any suggestions as how to retrofit in a limited slip into a regular differential housing.

I'm just on the drawing board right now, I figure if I can get a cheap housing then put some LSD guts into it and have everything play nice it would be nice. Quaife offers a diff for the 500slc only 1400$! Luckily it won't work and that would be too easy.

I figure I can also move the battery to the rear of the car to put some extra heft on that rear wheel.

Is it a solid rear axle or independently suspended?

You may have better luck getting a whole explorer (for example) axle and then redrilling for the right bolt pattern. Add correct brackets and such.

Unless the axle was common between bmw and mercedes I doubt the parts with swap.

The car has independent rear suspension.

Everything I see points towards putting my attention to tires and suspension first, but you have to dream and this place is where dreams are hatched.

What about a Jag? Some of the XJS had L.S.D. I am not sure if that is just the 12 cylinders or if 6s had them as well.

E30/E28 and E36ti/Z cars all use the same diff housing, it's a medium case diff.

Easy to find a good condition LSD, and come in range of ratios from 2.79 (i think) to 4.10.

I think the closest to a 3.06 would be a 2.93.

"Vitamin C... we're gonna need all we can get"

Dr. Gonzo

wouldn't it be easier to source the 8 cylinder's LSD and fit your ring gear to it?

Newer Exploders are IRS 8.8's, but most of them are 3.73. But you could always do a gear swap with a Mustang to 3.08. But then again, it is hit or miss on getting a locker.

Brian

The 8 cylinders differential is physically larger than the 6 cylinders so unless you were to take the housing from the V8 and fit the smaller gear from the 6 I don't think it would work. There was apparently an LSD option for AMG modified cars, but who know how many are out there. Figure it was a 2200$ option so I doubt it was very popular, finding one in the correct ratio would be sweet but I'm not going to get my hopes up.

I did find a LSD that looked perfect, it is an aftermarket part for a chrysler 300c. Too bad it costs 2500$, that's more than a quaife and probably more than my car is worth.

Thanks for the suggestions folks. It looks like the best option is to work on the tires and suspension.