Diffs and One Ways
 

My D4 is almost complete - waiting on Motor and batteries (Mamba Max 6900 and Saddle pack Lipos). Allowable for local club racing - non points races.

Is there a definitive article on using Diffs and One Ways (diff and/or centre types)? Please point the way.

What type of tracks suit each setup?

Thanks Jeff

generally

use diff if: open track, lots of sweepers, chicanes, bumpy blown out track

use one-way if: lots of slow corners, 180 hair pins, smooth surface.

i find center one way with front diff has the best of both worlds. You get the one way action off power, so you get steering steering off power, but on power you get the diffs to work, so more stability.

funny you mention that..keep an eye out on my bj4 long term review for it soon.

Different cars with with different drivetrains.. i loved my xx4/x5 with a diff in the front everywhere, but my bj4 i find needs the one way in there basically everywhere as there is so much weight in the rear it needs more front end!

Its true that different cars react differently.

My zx5 was great with a one way but had no brakes at all. Using the same electrics in the trf501 and also the one way, its not as snatchy and for some reason brakes better. Im assuming its to do with the motor position.

Front diff on the zx5 made it easier and smoother to drive ( faster for me ) and would literally stop from full pelt within a few metres. The Trf was easier to drive with perm 4wd however it sometimes lacked initial turn in, once it was flowing into the corner it was great, with the one way its better and you can get away with older tyres as it grips on the front more. Im finding to keep the 501 sure footed, on perm 4wd - new tyres ideally every 3 meetings as i brake really hard and run a fast 4.5 gtb in there.

Col.:cool:

From running my XXX4 I found that a diff made the car better on really bumpy tracks, and to a certain extent helped indoors on some really tight tracks to as you have 4 wheel braking, just depended on how much you wanted the rear end to swing round.

Not had the chance to play with a diff in the front of my S4 yet, but I do know that it rotates round hairpins like nothing else with the one way in the front :p