Hello,
We just recently got a Cayman S LSD into the shop and took it apart for the first time. Since this is the first one of these we've seen, I figured I would take some pictures and do a little show and tell with this thing.
Here's the LSD from the outside:
Looks pretty normal for a factory LSD. Cast body, but nothing out of the ordinary. Then we take the cover off:
Here's where it gets a little interesting. Notice that it is in fact a 4 plate LSD, just like a GT3 or any of the other modern Porsche 6MT gearboxes. But, look closely. The friction discs are stacked one on top of the other. Here's the stack as it comes apart:
It goes plain plate, plain plate, friction disc, friction disc, plain plate. So, even though it's got 4 friction discs it's only using 2 of them. Reminds me of another Porsche LSD:
That's a picture of a 1970 911 LSD!!! There's also another similarity between the old LSD and the new one; no belleville washers.
This new Cayman S LSD is a zero preload LSD. In fact there's absolutely no gap inside of this thing. The stack height is pretty much exactly the same dimensions as the body and cap of the LSD. I know there's been much discussion recently about low or no preload LSDs. I'll let you guys debate the merits of those designs, but will ask one question on the subject. If a no/low preload LSD is the way to go, why did Porsche stop using it? And as a follow up to that thought, why now, roughly 25 years later have they gone back to it?
I've got more thoughts and pictures, and will follow up with another post in just a second here...
We just recently got a Cayman S LSD into the shop and took it apart for the first time. Since this is the first one of these we've seen, I figured I would take some pictures and do a little show and tell with this thing.
Here's the LSD from the outside:
Looks pretty normal for a factory LSD. Cast body, but nothing out of the ordinary. Then we take the cover off:
Here's where it gets a little interesting. Notice that it is in fact a 4 plate LSD, just like a GT3 or any of the other modern Porsche 6MT gearboxes. But, look closely. The friction discs are stacked one on top of the other. Here's the stack as it comes apart:
It goes plain plate, plain plate, friction disc, friction disc, plain plate. So, even though it's got 4 friction discs it's only using 2 of them. Reminds me of another Porsche LSD:
That's a picture of a 1970 911 LSD!!! There's also another similarity between the old LSD and the new one; no belleville washers.
This new Cayman S LSD is a zero preload LSD. In fact there's absolutely no gap inside of this thing. The stack height is pretty much exactly the same dimensions as the body and cap of the LSD. I know there's been much discussion recently about low or no preload LSDs. I'll let you guys debate the merits of those designs, but will ask one question on the subject. If a no/low preload LSD is the way to go, why did Porsche stop using it? And as a follow up to that thought, why now, roughly 25 years later have they gone back to it?
I've got more thoughts and pictures, and will follow up with another post in just a second here...