Hi all!
New to the forum - I found a lot of wisdom here so thought I'd post and ask my reliability questions! So here we go
I am investigating buying a haldex car as a base for customization and a good compromise on practicality vs driving fun. My main aim is to build a front/rear lsd + haldex controller setup. It will be a gen 5 haldex like anything EA888 gen3 Golf R 7/7.5 platform or RS3. I have a powerful polo now and the wavetrac makes a huge difference. No experience with haldex though so I am wondering:
1.If I track the car once in a while and the rest spirited driving will the half shafts, driveshaft and other mechanical links of the golf platform be able to cope with the increased stresses that the two wavetracs will apply on the driveline/transmission? Or will I need the RS3 setup which must be beefier, to cope with say a high power stage 3 EA888 Gen3 engine (~500/550 hp ~600 Nm). Do you have experience with any updates/mods needed to support the diff once installed? i.e. different rear/front/half shafts/modifications/haldex pump etc. Is it ok to just buy the car, pop the lsd's in then use it 50/50 with a haldex controller and go carve the track? What has your experience been with durability over the years? Any special service advice?
2. Is it ok to actually run the haldex controller at 50/50 and launch the car once in a while or will it break something after the second launch. I was thinking VW would have had it on all the time if it was ok but they don't - is it just for fuel economy? Also, how do the dual diff setup handle at stock haldex software vs haldex controlled 50/50 or with a custom map. I was thinking to have it on boost mode customization so that the components are not active all the time but will be when I need them.
3. I know for the front the DSG needs to come off and the rear, the diff housing. I have done an lsd job but it was not part of a dsg gearbox and the ring gear was bolted not riveted so I am not sure if I should attempt the deriveting coiling and installation myself with no access to a workshop just my home garage. Is it something that is doable with minimal tooling or is the level of accuracy required high enough to require specialist tooling? Any advice on DIY? Anything I need to be careful about? torque specs? tooling?
4. I saw both wavetrac and haldex-lsd have an option for rear lsd, I know the latter started the party and wavetrac capitalised on that market need. But how are the two options different and what would you recommend?
5. Bonus questions: Does it actually improve laptimes? Well it must but by how much? How about 0-60 times? I could not seem to find any feedback not even for the front only setup let alone for dual + controller. And a very important question - will the tail slide out if provoked on less ideal road conditions i.e. mountain road slippery tight hairpins? or will it be predominantly understeering? What is the most ideal setting for the controller?
