re: torsen...

[audidudi@mindspring.com (Jeffrey J. Goggin)]

>3) variations in tire diameter will make the torsen see torque differences.

Yes, they will ... in fact, I've been thinking this might be one of those
tricks Scott J. hinted might work to tame the Torsen's darker side.

>Doesn't Jeff (AudiDudi) run different rims front/back, with slightly different
>tire radius/sidewall stiffness?

On my 200q, I run the same size rims and tires but use different offsets
front and rear; on my Ur-Q, I did use different size tires front and rear
for a while but now use the same size tire (235/40-17) since I didn't want
to be in a position where I couldn't maximize their life by rotating them
now that Dunlop has discontinued its SP-8000 tire. 

>It seems that differing tire pressures will also affect the radius, such as
higher pressure front to rear.
>Maybe these cars aren't normally running a 50/50 split?  How much
difference is required
>to start the torsen transfering power?

Good point ... so far as I can see, the torque distribution as measured at
the differential should be varying all the time and with very little time
lag.  However, communicating these changes to the drive wheels doesn't
happen immediately, thanks to the driveline's inertia and slack in the
gears, etc.

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