Hey guys,

I was wondering whether it is better to have an open/locked diff for motorkana. Obviously for normal road use you need to have it open, and it is better locked for the track. This is for my 1000 coupe racer,
http://datsun1200.com/modules/myalbum ... omment_id=0&order=0&mode=
I would prefer just to leave it the same the whole time, but i dont want to be fixing it all the time by doing sharp, slow turns. thanks!

cheers, Ian

I'd say there's more road cars with lockers than khana cars without

but you cant have the best of both worlds unless you want to change centres alot... or get an LSD

For slow speed stuff like Motorkhana's you are probably better off leaving the open centre in the car, you will get less understeer and low speed push out of the front end, turn in will be better also.
The only time it will cause you any problems is in very wet muddy conditions where you will struggle for grip, but everything is a compromise.

Given the tight turns I would say open diff , locked diffs are for super speedway ovals and drag racing , anything else get a LSD....you won't regret it.

Tom

If you are driving on relatively slipery surfaces, then the locked diff will be OK I guess, but if the surfaces are dry & hard, then cary a couple of spare axles & a diff gasket. You'll be needing them sooner or later.
I think that Rallytwit is right. An LSD, in good mechanical condition, will be the best compromise.

for motorkhana and the choice of anopen or locked diff - definitely locked. even for bitumen motorkhanas. open diffs are only good for going to the shops.

an open diff will be useless for trying to flick the car around tight cones. it will also be useless trying to get traction and drive through slaloms, and out of any corner or away from each witches hat, or when doing j-turns etc etc... but you will need to play around with the suspension settings to get rid of the understeer, and get some decent tyres for the front.

A good handbrake is also VERY important for motorkhanas.

LOCK THE B1TCH

UnderSteer? Just fan the clutch and wind on the opposite lock. . .

I think there is a hydralic handbrake on ozdat at the moment.

It is locked at the moment, so I think I will leave it that way and see how it goes. Then when everything is sorted in the car I may look at an LSD. Yeah im thinking about getting a hydralic handbrake. My only concern is getting a RWC with one in, because handbrakes are meant to be a secondary, different (ie cable) means of stopping the car. Perhaps I have 2 handbrakes???

Check with the RTA regarding your handbrake. In ACT you can run a hydraulic handbrake in a road registered car as long as it has a locking mechanism so you can keep it in the ON position, a bit like the ratchet on a normal cable operated handbrake lever.