For better or worse, I may be doing some transmission work soon to my 2005 OBXT with the 5MT. While the opportunity presented itself, I was considering installing a LSD center differential. After doing some research on the 5MT and differentials, I became more confused about what the center diff is really supposed to accomplish. As far as I can tell, its only potential purpose is to allow a FWD bias, which manufacturers have determined to be a little bit safer for a typical driver. I'm wondering if anyone has ever simply fused/welded the center differential so that power is permanently split front/rear?
My thoughts:
The more I have thought about it, the less actual function I see for the 5MT viscous coupling center diff and the more I would rather that the coupling was simply fused. The coupling really only functions to "try" to keep front/rear spinning at equal speeds. I understand the purpose of other power distribution systems that can sense wheel slip and distribute to individual tires with the best grip, but it doesn't really accomplish that. As I've read and possibly experienced, it even overheats/fails if you use it under heavy slick conditions with constant slipping (one of the reasons I have AWD). As I've gathered from it's design, it doesn't have any fuel economy benefits. As the viscous coupling ensures, the rear drive train components are always spinning no matter what, along with their weight and friction, which is simply powered by the engine through the front wheels. If it is intended to reduce wear for front/rear planetary motion, I can't imagine that it would be too much of a "pressure release" for the the drive train either. There are two other differentials to allow power to find a way out without breaking anything. In most conditions, they move in lockstep anyway.
Am I overlooking a critical function of the center diff?
Hypothetically, what would be the down sides of having a fused coupling?
My thoughts:
The more I have thought about it, the less actual function I see for the 5MT viscous coupling center diff and the more I would rather that the coupling was simply fused. The coupling really only functions to "try" to keep front/rear spinning at equal speeds. I understand the purpose of other power distribution systems that can sense wheel slip and distribute to individual tires with the best grip, but it doesn't really accomplish that. As I've read and possibly experienced, it even overheats/fails if you use it under heavy slick conditions with constant slipping (one of the reasons I have AWD). As I've gathered from it's design, it doesn't have any fuel economy benefits. As the viscous coupling ensures, the rear drive train components are always spinning no matter what, along with their weight and friction, which is simply powered by the engine through the front wheels. If it is intended to reduce wear for front/rear planetary motion, I can't imagine that it would be too much of a "pressure release" for the the drive train either. There are two other differentials to allow power to find a way out without breaking anything. In most conditions, they move in lockstep anyway.
Am I overlooking a critical function of the center diff?
Hypothetically, what would be the down sides of having a fused coupling?