Welded center diff, good or bad?

[Whammydill]

So I'm in the market for my first AWD dsm. I've been looking for a while and I keep coming across DSM's for sale that have welded center diff. Should I be looking on this as a good or a bad thing?

My goals for my dsm will be around 300-350hp daily driver, if that much. I'm prefering to get a 2g eclipse, or a 1g Talon. 5spd prefered but will settle for automatic, if any of that matters.

I've read some of the articles here regarding center diff welding and it seems that its only really necessary in the higher hp ranges, and then for straight line performance. Otherwise it causes the back tires to chirp on cornering and overall degrades handling? This would be a negative if true for a daily driver would it not?

Furthermore, if I get a dsm that does have a welded center dif, are there any contraindications of getting a new/used one and replacing it with the stock setup?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

I wouldn't let that make or break a car if you are interested in buying it. Some don't like it for dd use and some don't mind it. I have mine welded, but I only drive the car about 2k miles per year, so it doesn't really bother me. If you had to, I think you could get used to it.

Have you read any of these threads?

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/dri...ff-handling.html?highlight=welded+center+diff

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/dri...center-diff.html?highlight=welded+center+diff

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/dri...aily-driver.html?highlight=welded+center+diff

 

[Whammydill]

Yes, I read the first two, but the third I missed somehow. It has quite a bit of relevant information that makes me lean towards avoiding the center diff weld for my purposes. However if replacing it out for stock or whatnot is viable and not going to cost lots of $$$ then I wouldn't turn one down.

 

[BigBeans]

I'd avoid it on a DD.

Handling issues, as well as increased tire and driveline parts wear on a street car. Plus at 350hp it's not even needed.

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

Yeah, if you have any doubt that a welded center diff isn't for you, it probably isn't. It definitely makes daily driving easier without it welded.

 

[TSi Kid]

If you have any friends that have one you should drive it to see how it feels. It takes some getting use to but you can have it on a DD.

 

[TSi Kid]

How bad would a welded diff, unsprung clutch and no ps in an awd car be?

 

[TSi Kid]

How about instead of giving me a useless response you put something that is worthwhile. So far i'm 2 for 3 of those mods.

Just because you can't bear it doens't mean I can't. I'm trying to see if a welded center diff would have a problem with the unsprung or no ps.

 

[citymunky]

Than man up and do it than. After its all done you let us know what you think. At the end of the day you are going be the one driving the car. If somebody in a different state tells you that a welded center diff on a DD with unsprung or no ps is the best thing he ever done, and you follow in his footsteps you are not going to know until you try it yourself. In either case you are not going to know 100% for sure if you like it or not until you get behind the wheel of a car with a welded center diff/ unsprung / no ps.

 

[rock1t]

How bad would a welded diff, unsprung clutch and no ps in an awd car be?

With a welded diff as a dd, you only really notice it during sharp cornering (aka parking lots or drive thru's). I had a 6 puck unsprung act 2900 for awhile, was tired of the ownage as a daily driver, and went with the spec stage 3 (6-puck sprung) which was a way better choice for both the track and dd'ing.

If you want to delete your power steering, do it properly with a manual rack, it won't be like taking off your ps belt then.