I've been looking into the diff stuff and am wondering about the interaction between the VAQ and an aftermarket mechanical one, like the wavetrac.
I came across a couple articles that claim the VAQ can't really handle all the torque that the engine can apply, therefore there will be some amount of slip allowed at the inside.
VW vortex article
Drivetribe article
I'm not sure I buy this whole gear ratio thing. If it were true it seems to me that dyno numbers at the wheels would be higher than at the crank. But just for fun, here are the STH numbers given those assumptions. (
gear ratios)
APR stage 1 high torque gives 350 ftlbs at the crank.
MT: 2nd gear * final drive = 2.08 * 3.24 = 6.74 --> 350 ftlbs * 6.74 = 2358 ftlbs at the diff
DSG: 2nd gear * final drive = 1.79 * 4.77 = 8.54 --> 350 ftlbs * 8.54 = 2988 ftlbs at the diff
The articles claim the VAQ can handle up to 1180 ftlbs at the diff. There seems to be reference that the VCDS or similar mods can increase the 1180, but can it double for MT? Triple for DSG? I doubt it. This is me arguing that VAQ isn't worth very much, especially for autocross.
But, what if you install a Wavetrac? What happens? My thinking is that the overall maximum lock would still be the maximum the VAQ can handle. It would be two diffs in series. wtf happens??? Adding a Wavetrac would only change the behavior of the car up to the point the VAQ is at maximum lock?
I have no idea if I'm right. It's interesting to think about though.