Just picked up my '97 Impreza sti type - r V4 the other day and noticed there is, umm, an adjustable diff??

On the dash, when i alter it, i notice the lights changing colour and moving further up etc.

At the moment, it's (on the dash) set on what looks like ZERO (in green) lowest setting.

What does this switch do etc and how does it alter the perfromance of the car?

A good explanation will be VERY much appreciated for this newbie to sccobs ;0)

thanks
Matt

 

Click here

[Edited by *Sonic* - 9/19/2003 12:44:09 AM]

 

Lol! Nice to see you did your homework before placing the order!

 

I've got it so that on the dash the diff is green and right on the bottom...is that the, umm, safest and more ummm, err, gippiest setting?

Matt

 

WARNING!
• DO NOT use the DCCD while any of the wheels are in mid air.

ROTFL

 

Would I be correct in thinking you used to be Scoobymatt26? You seem somehow familiar.

Sonic has already posted a link to the DCCD instruction manual, did you read it?

In short, the answer to your question is no. With the diff in the "bottom" position, there is a 64:36 torque bias to the rear wheels, so under these circumstances the car will be more prone to power oversteer, and less stable under heavy braking.

As you turn the diff up, you will get more assistance from the front wheels, which makes the car more stable/neutral/understeery under power, and also acts as a pseudo-bias valve, forcing the front brakes to do more of the work and making the car more stable under heavy braking.

For normal "round town" driving, as well as parking, reversing, and turning tight corners, running with the diff down is correct, as running with it up can cause diff "fight", which both sounds unpleasant, and won't do either the diff, or your front tyres, any good.

Look at John's page for further info, everything you need to know is there.

 

You would be incorrect.

That bit above was cut and paste - I was just laughing at it and nobody could hear me unless I typed it in LOL

 

Erm, didn't think you (i.e. Lightning101) were Scoobymatt. Your post wasn't even there when I hit Reply.

BTW, FWIW, the semi-active centre diff controllers that are around continuously alter its setting - even when the car is in the air - and it doesn't seem to complain.