Limited-Slip Differentials Explained
If you’re a muscle car enthusiast, there's a good chance you've heard of a limited-slip differential, also known as a limited-slip diff. These are devices that help your muscle car maintain traction by shifting torque between the car wheels. In other words, if one of your wheels is no longer making contact with the pavement, the limited-slip differential will re-route that torque to the other wheel. These systems are common muscle cars because you usually have a boatload of torque going to the rear wheels, and you never want to waste it on a spinning wheel.Not only do limited-slip differentials ensure that you’re maximizing your car engine power output, but they also improve your car’s traction, especially if one wheel is stuck in the mud or on a patch of ice. When it comes to muscle cars, limited-slip diffs free up traction by limiting the torque being sent to the wheel that's coming up empty-handed, which gives the opposite wheel enough torque to get you out of a sticky situation. Not only is this good for getting your muscle car moving if you live in a snowy area, but having this balance between both wheels is great for cornering, so they're great for daily driving, drag racing, and even circuit racing.
Benefits of Upgrading Your Limited-Slip Differential
Before we even talk about upgrades, it's important to note that a lot of muscle cars from the 20th century and even the early 2000s may not have limited-slip differentials. In these cases, it's a good idea to install one ASAP to immediately improve your traction during races and daily driving. Plus, having good traction will also preserve the rest of your suspension parts and ensure that everything is wearing evenly. You can check to see if your muscle car has a limited-slip differential by jacking up the rear wheels and spinning one wheel. If the other wheel spins in the same direction as the one you’re rotating, you have a limited-slip diff. On the other hand, if it turns the opposite direction you likely have an open differential.Moving on to upgrades, your limited-slip differential from the factory may not be rated for massive horsepower builds or super aggressive driving. In these cases, it's a good idea to upgrade to more premium parts that are rated for more power. Also, don't forget about limited-slip diff covers that will keep your part safe and any mounting bolts or equipment you may need. Fortunately, we carry all those parts and more when you shop online.