Audii-Dudii

<center><img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/69143/torsen-disassembled.jpg"></center><p>Although Stasis' $550 center diff mod isn't that expensive in the grand scheme of things, before I pack up mine and ship it off to them, I decided to explore the possibility of modifying it myself.

Above is a photo of the disassembled diff out of a '99 A4 Type 01A tranny. Reassembling it is a bit tricky (you need to make sure the element gears are properly in phase with each other) but after a few run-throughs, I finally got it right.

I don't know what "magic" Stasis does to change the torque bias ratio, but after examining the innards and reading the FAQs at www.torsen.com, I've decided it can't be all that complicated (or difficult or costly) and am going to give it a shot myself first, especially since all of their suggested methonds of increasing the bias ratio are easily reversed. We'll see...

A400

Jeffery,
I think you just shim it, but I am not positive as it has been a long time since I talked to Kluge -something sticks in my mind about a warning on heat, and may be why some race cars had oil pumps and tranny/diff coolers added(?). It was done on some of the race cars to help initial launch and I can see a lot of value for a drag car. On a racer I think it would depend on how quickly it shifted torque. I have their rear diff and it is a fine piece, but a 964 LSD would work too, but probably isnt as strong.
Rod

A400

"Heat is apparently a problem, but given that most autocross runs (my intended use for the car) are 90 seconds or less, I don't anticipate this being a major problem. If it is, a trans cooler and external oil pump (Tilton makes a good one) can always be added later without too much difficulty or expense.
As for the rear diff, I already have a 944 insert to be installed. Unfortunately, the installation keeps getting postponed for one reason or another. Next week, maybe..."

You can check Charlies O1E site and maybe it will tell you which tranny came with the pump setup. I beleive the 90 model v8 came with one and some of the diesels I think. I would think the v8 5 speeds would be cheap, and you can do quite a few gear ratios if you mix and match. If you have to drive the car on the street I couldnt quite stand straight cut gears. Let me know how you like the 44/64 rear diff, I almost did it b4 I got the Staasis LSD. The 44 is a super alternative. Lash would be same as stock unit isnt it?
Did you do the CPP susp stuff, it has me thinking about cones since I installewd ir. It will be really competitive if I can drive it competitively which at this point I cant, it is a lot different than track driving! A friend who drives SCCA for many yrs. said the car turned in extremely quickly, rotated nicely and should compete for FTD if driven well ( then he voluntreered to show me soime stuff all of which I wouldnt have had a clue about. Anyway I dont think you will be sorry if combined w/good coil overs and a corner balance ands some good tires. My car now handles better thab aby car I have ever driven and I am no longer the equal of the car.
Rod

A400

"If your car is setup to make big numbers at the drag strip, this may or may not be problematic on an autocross course.

That said, it's all about having fun, so why not give it a try? The worst that can happen is that you learn that your driving sucks, your car sucks, you get a sunburn, and you drink some beer after it's all over... ;^):

Car is set up for road race and drag race is only for a little fun at times, I have waay 2 much money in the car to beat it on the strip much ( dragging a car is very hard on the tranny and engine and I dont enjoy dragging a car with the limitations it has, AWD cars suck on a drag strip compared to RWD or even FWD cars IMO).

Autox looks like fun and altho I like a little higher speeds, it seems like a cheap way to learn a little more about low speed corners and should help me get the car dialed in with susp. settings. Another thing that has me interested is that many of the guys in the local club also run solo and road stuff also associated with the club. They also have a lot more knowledge and expertiser on susp. setup. I have a little more motor knowledge than some so maybe we can do a mutual exchange of info that will be helpful to all of us.

I tried it b4 with my URs4 and I destroyed them on the airport courses and those where top speed had an effect, but had no chance on the tight stuff which is 10 of the 12 events around here so I lost interest. The new parts CPP allow the car a lot more tunability from oversteer to understeer and I think the car will be very competitive and will improve my skills on low speed stuff. I am also going to try to do 6-8 track events if time and schedule allows. I am trying to get to the place that when I can take the car off the street for a full track car that I will have the skills to start NASA or SCCA full race series. But the car was not built to a spec, so I am liable to have to do Modified or the other new class. It would be nice to have a chance to compete.
Rod

fastdream

I follow your mods....as I'm into autocrossing as well. Getting my butt kicked in SM...

whoizrob

Hi Jeff,

I've been corresponding with Torsen about what it takes to change the bias ratio and so far, per his recommendations, all you need to do is change out the bearings with steel washers machined to size. No recutting of gears seems to be necessary. I was wondering how your progress has been and if you'd be willing to talk a bit more about this project. You can reach me at:
whoizrob at yahoo dot com.

Rob