No Limited Slip Diff for the Elise?

[mason]

It looks like the Elise won't come with a limited slip, at least the euro. Elise doesn't come with one.

The only way this may change is if the Toyota transmission come intact with the Clutch type LSD that's avaliable in the UK spec Celica.

Because this car is Mid-engined and rear wheel drive this shouldn't be such an issue as the rear wheels will have a difficult time lifting.

[specialED]

Originally posted by mason


Because this car is Mid-engined and rear wheel drive this shouldn't be such an issue as the rear wheels will have a difficult time lifting.

Well, I'm not sure this is going to be the case - the power/weight ratio of this vehicle may be high enough that lifting a drive wheel - esp. in an autocross slalom - may be perfectly possible.

About 2000 lbs powered by about 160 whp (estimating a 15% driveline loss) works out to 12.5 lbs per HP, being applied to the pavement with a 225 cross-section tire.

I have a modified Toyota MR2 (mid engine, rwd) that has about 300 peak whp (verified by Dynojet) that weighs 2890 lbs, which is about 9.6 lbs per HP.

At an autocross event on 245 cross section street tires (Michelin Pilots) I certainly experienced wheelspin as the car leaned and unloaded the inside rear.

But maybe this is related also to the peaky power curve of a turbocharged car too.

[mason]

Originally posted by specialED
At an autocross event on 245 cross section street tires (Michelin Pilots) I certainly experienced wheelspin as the car leaned and unloaded the inside rear.

But maybe this is related also to the peaky power curve of a turbocharged car too.

From what I've read about the Elise in the UK the chasis is built so that there is very little lean when the car is tossed. I think the car's suspension is setup so well that this would not be such a problem. Infact, Lotus has done such a good setting up the Elise the car handles as well as it does and does not require the "bandaid" of a rear swaybar.

I'll agree however, that if this car was to recieve a huge power increase wheel-spin may become an issue.

[specialED]

Wow, no rear sway bar - interesting.

[mason]

A sway bar would just add weight :D