I'm looking for info on replacing the stock differential on my Skoda for a Peloquin LSD. Has anybody done this?

Thanks,

Speedy G

Get with it man LSD is so sixty's E's is ma thang:D :shocked:

Here is yet another tip from the TIP-STAR, no charge.

The octy has not got an LSD or E/s? It has got EDL (electronic differential lock), which would indicate some sort of electronic diff, WRONG. All it does is brakes the spinning wheel and if both wheels start to spin (as in a chipped/remapped car) it brakes both wheels allowing a much closer inspection of the windscreen.

:shocked:

So back to the diff change.

1. If you do change the diff you have to turn off the EDL/ASR for the "LSD" to operate correctly losing the other traction aids.

2. If you have a modded car chances are you can get both wheels to spin rendering the LSD useless as it transfers the power from the spinning wheel to the other side which is already spinning.

3. Also with the LSD torque steer is exaggerated and with the ASR turned off it understeers more, great fun, a la Ford Focus RS (allegedly).

Please someone correct me if I am wrong but all in all :( :dung:

Funny how everyone in the performance VW world thinks a Peloquin or a quaife are essential to any type of racing... and the "free tip" guy says it's useless...

Where this "free tip" is totally off is that you think that you can spin both tyres with the stock differential. It just so happens that the differential lock only works under 40kph or something like that. Hardly a racing spec if you ask me. My problem is wheel spin at the top of 2nd and 3rd. Also, it just so happens that tons of people have blown appart their tranny with the stock differential while racing. It's the weakest link in the drivetrain, and it's known to explode with just a K04 upgrade and with wheel-hop when spinning the tyres.

Also, if LSDs are so useless for racing (more understeer), why do all performance cars have them? Why do race cars use them? Why do VW performance people say it's the best mod after a chip if you do any kind of racing?

I answered my own question elsewhere btw. It happens that my transmission is an O2J just like on GTIs so I'm going with an ECStuning.com stage II clutch and flywheel, and a peloquin LSD kit from the thescirocco.com. Also, since I have an Elegance with no ASR, which is a good thing in my book. 350 home made HP, here I come. I should be somewhere between 260 and 290hp right now btw (those are US hp at the crank).

Speedy G

It's free tip guy again, but don't know why i'am bothering.

1. You failed to mention that you wanted the diff for racing, must of just slipped your mind. I'am talking about pulling away from stand still (road use).

2. If your so sure about a diff change and the benefits why bother posting asking for advise? :(

3. A few of us on this forum have modded/raced are Skoda's and have never damaged the transmission, perhaps the Skoda is a better car than you're used to or we are just better drivers, it's one or the other.

4. I DO NOT consider a KO4 as an upgrade for an RS and it certainly wouldn't blow the diff. I'am sure others will back me on this.

5. If you do not believe me phone Quaife and ask them if their QDF8R3SK/10R2SK ATB DIFF. works on a front wheel drive Skoda that spins both wheels. I'am only relaying what I've been told by Quaife.

6. Tell a Focus RS owner that his car does not have understeer/torque steer with his Quaife diff.

7. If you actually read my post it says it's useless if you can spin both wheels, not my words, Quaifes.

8. I think 66 was right it's an E you're after.

9. Remind me not to bother next time.

I'm sorry if you took this the wrong way, but it's actually a surprise to get a reply on this board on the same day, if at all, so I'm delighted. I'd love to get 1 Skoda board finally working.

Personally, I think opposite views and discussion thereof are what is most productive in forums, and that's what I'm after. However, I see a lack of 300+bhp 1st hand experience on this board. I would like to change that and make it a better place to get info. So, my questions and opinions:

2. If your so sure about a diff change and the benefits why bother posting asking for advise?

Because I didn't know when I asked. Since nobody shared experiences for a week or so, I went elsewhere. I posted it back on this forum for the benefit of other Skoda owners.

3. A few of us on this forum have modded/raced are Skoda's and have never damaged the transmission, perhaps the Skoda is a better car than you're used to or we are just better drivers, it's one or the other.

Nah, you guys just haven't hit the limits yet (I hate to refer outside this forum, but...):

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=807213

Discussion about quaife vs peloquin:

http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=399356

Peloquin seems to be less aggressive than quaife in terms of locking the diff. That means when you're on the gas getting out of a turn, the inside wheel is less prone to spinning and you get less understeer.

Here's a pic of a blown diff. Do you really want to risk this happening to you? If you're spinning your tires and doing the wheel hop, this is a real possibility.

4. I DO NOT consider a KO4 as an upgrade for an RS and it certainly wouldn't blow the diff. I'am sure others will back me on this.

Hmm... I tend to agree slightly. It is bigger than the k03/k04 stock turbo, but the USD1k is a bit overpriced. For an Octavia Elegance however, it's a big increase. Also, you could blow the diff, with enough wheelhop and spinning tires like an idiot. The stock axels could go as well.

7. If you actually read my post it says it's useless if you can spin both wheels, not my words, Quaifes.

Hmm... The point is that you CAN'T spin both wheels with the stock diff. With a Quaife you can. That means there is an effect when you add the Quaife. Also, if you don't have a traction problem, I agree, don't bother with a differential upgrade. It's expensive, and it will add some understeer because of the added power to the inner tire on a curve.

8. I think 66 was right it's an E you're after.

Hmm... not really, show me your dyno and I'll show you mine. I'm pro-Skoda-discussion that's all.

9. Remind me not to bother next time.

Please do, I like to challenge different points of view. Yours is obviously anti-LSD at all costs. Mine is more inline with the US pro-LSD VW community, including a 460whp 1.8t GTI.

Speedy G

Welcome on board, Speedy G.

Most of us are Vortex regulars, so no problem refering "off site". In fact, this community largely grew out of the Skoda forum there. Don't worry about this Skoda board "working" - it's here to stay, and growing all the time.

For "everyday drive" cars, replacing the stock diff does seem like overkill. However, if you're planning on boosting power to mental levels, then it sounds like it might be a good idea. What sort of power are you getting out of your car?

Speedy G

I read it as I see it and then respond.

You are right in what you say we have not maxed out are cars on this forum. I think most of us are more interested in such issues as, warranty, reliability, problem solving, insurance, socializing etc., not your baseball cap wearers forum this. That's not to say we're not interested in information on maxing are cars.

Speaking for myself I'am not really interested in hitting any limits with the car as it's used daily and I need the reliability and yes if you persist in pulling out of junctions on full-lock/wheel hops at 7k rpm you deserve all you get, never tried it, don't want to try it, not really my style.

I think I best take the car back to the dealer and tell them I have a faulty diff because I can spin both wheels, unless someone is painting in extra tyre marks behind me....hmm.

Not really anti-LSD for the track it's just not for everyone on the road, It would have helped if you stated "for the track" in your original post thats all, still I know now.

Free tip guy

Hi and welcome,

Interesting debate, as it unfolded and we see what the target use is.

A recent performance car in the UK market that "promoted" it's self on performance and so on, was the Ford Focus RS, using an LSD. All the reviews praised it on the track. But all* that took her out onto a normal road hated it, some even hinted it was dangerous to drive hard.

That's where the UK market is. Sure there are those who max there cars out, but there not on this forum or even driving Skoda's. The UK is a radically different market to the US regions, sadly it costs a fortune to change a wheel nut here let alone diff's and axels. So most go for a huge compromise of somthing great for every day use and is not to shabby on a track.

To those who are getting wheel spin...I miss the sensation. Not had a wheel spin moment since Aug 2002. However I also know that all that energy is going somehwere and what will give. So at some point in the future when Garret or IHI pay my cara visit, that picture might be on my camera...

*Reviews I saw

Originally posted by ColinD in this post

To those who are getting wheel spin...I miss the sensation. Not had a wheel spin moment since Aug 2002.

God I wish the RS had 4 wheel drive. :(

Must agree with your comments Colin, us paupers have to compromise when buying/moding vehicles. :(

Must also say that the Focus RS is a terrific track weapon.

Ha! I didn't know about the "hated it" in the real world comments, good to know. When I put mine in, I'll do a full write up with install pics and everything.

Also, I don't have ASR/EDL on mine. As far as I know it's an option on Elegance models. I forgot the RS has ASR.

I don't spin tires like an idiot at redlights either, but it's hard to not spin a tire while on the gas on a turn. The LSD should really fix that. I'm going for the peloquin which is less aggressive than the quaife, so understeer should be less of a problem.

Also, understand that my car is a daily driver and just passed emissions with the new turbo, injectors, and down pipe. It's not a racing-only machine. My ideal car is one that doesn't alter the original sound and vibration levels of the car (hard to do with the intake and new engine mounts), or off-boost fuel consumption, but can put an M3 to shame when racing. There's just that 10% extra good feeling when that "ideal" car is made in the East block, don't know why. In terms of my goals, I'd like to be able to beat my uncle's modified Mazda RX-7 in September. He does 13.4 on the quarter mile at 1000m altitude. Also I'd like to be able to keep my own with his other Rx-7 which does 12.2, and beat the hell out of a new M3. 350HP would be nice.

On the topic of baseball caps... I know that Europeans have higher costs when modifying their cars, and especially feeding them with fuel. However, they have the best roads in the world, and plenty of tracks to go to. That's why except for my Upsolute chip, everything was meant for GTIs in the US. Even European APR is much more expensive. The ideal is to just order from the States and do most of the work yourself.

Regarding the 4wd Octavias. I've always debated whether or not it's a good thing performance-wise. On the one hand the car handles better on the track, and traction is improved substantially. On the other hand, it weighs at least 300lbs more, and high torque launches have the clutch do the burn-out instead of the tires. You also lose about 10% more hp & torque in the drivetrain compared to 2wd cars. Lastly, long-term you have more parts that get worn down, and they get worn down quicker. Comments?

Speedy G

Speedy,

There are probably two reasons why you aren't getting the response you'd like here:

1. There isn't yet a single Briskoda member that has gone as far as you have - certainly not DIY'd it - or is planning to, with the possible exception of Lloyd (llblake) ! Most of us tend to be modest modifiers, simply in order to get a slightly improved road behaviour. I guess (European/UK) Skoda drivers aren't the type full-scale GTI mod-to-the-max kind of people.

2. Your line of thinking is completely based on the US VAG world, which is hugely different from the European, and has many different suppliers and parts. I've merely heard of much of the stuff you mention through Vortex, but you can't get most of it here.

So, please bear with us and stick around. Your project is very interesting and I'd like to be kept up-to-date on its progress.

About the FWD vs 4WD discussion - you raise some interesting points. It probably comes down to taste and skills.

4WD is excellent for terrible drivers like me, that still want to handle a powerful car in a powerful way - in a good 4WD you just can't go wrong unless you really overdo it (in which case it will go wrong terribly). In the Octavia's case the weight increase is 100kgs (so not 'at least 300lbs') and because of the Haldex system there's not much loss in the drivetrain when there is substantial grip on the front. And as the drivers of most FWD cars are terrible drivers too, a 4WD car will still beat a FWD car hands-down in daily traffic - away from the lights and while cornering. It also helps in rainy or snowy conditions (as is frequently the case where I live), and will help getting you out of a muddy field posing as a carpark after visiting a rock festival or the British Grand Prix

However, if you are a good driver that can handle the clutch, and your FWD car has a trick suspension or diff to dial out the inherent understeer, then yes, you don't need 4WD. But if you want to spend that kind of money on set-up, you could also spend it on an AP race clutch...

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

Speedy,

And as the drivers of most FWD cars are terrible drivers too, a 4WD car will still beat a FWD car hands-down in daily traffic - away from the lights and while cornering.

Ahem!! FWD drivers have feelings too, you know :eek:

Originally posted by Dutch4x4 in this post

4WD is excellent for terrible drivers like me

Yes, Nick, but I evened out the score by hurting my own feelings first... :p