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AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
1/25/24 2:51 p.m.

depends on center diff type, but if front and rear ratios are different in a traditional 4wd system you'd be replacing the center diff / transfer case / transmission in pretty short order.

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos)
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) MegaDork
1/25/24 2:52 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

It'd probably feel fine, until the center diff/coupler overheated and failed.

You can get the same effect by running different sized tires on the front and back, too!

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/25/24 3:00 p.m.

Okay but is there a feel that would be noticeable prior to doing damage? Like what it feel like the ass end is dragging or overpower in the front or anything like that? Y'all are making me lean more and more towards just doing the work to swap the diff by the way

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos)
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) MegaDork
1/25/24 3:35 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

There isn't much difference at all. I'm not saying you couldn't feel it, just probably you wouldn't. 

Match the rear diff to the trans and you're fine. I guaran-f'n-tee it's easier to swap the rear diff than it is to change the center diff. 

 

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
1/25/24 4:01 p.m.

it would probably show itself as a bind-and-release feel, like a pulsing brake except all the time.

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/25/24 4:05 p.m.

Fair enough!

Better safe than sorry since i keep finding a bunch of conflicting information. 

The factory service manual says the diff is a 4.44lsd in the baja, and the gt. At least from what ive been able to read. 

rallyxPOS13
rallyxPOS13 Reader
1/25/24 5:53 p.m.

Ha, I ran around for a few months in an Impreza with a 3.9 in the trans and a 4.11 VLSD out back.  It was kinda fun, back wanted to overtake the front when cornering in the wet, but straight line and in the dry wasn't terribly different.  
 

Killed the center diff (which I didn't care about) but also put a bunch of side load in the pinon bearing of the rear from being in constant deceleration, which made the diff loud over time.

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/25/24 8:58 p.m.

Tonight saw me getting a bunch of details buttoned up. As in, tomorrow after work i roll it outside to scrub the engine bay one more time before bolting the accessories back on and smoke testing it again. The intercooler merits another test. I found every clamp and bolt loose, as well as two bolts missing when i went to disassemble it to swap parts to the $20 wrx intercooler. Im wondering if the bad tank was smoke coming up fom somewhere else i couldn't see or expect. So ill retest before more work. 

And ill test fire before cooling system and front end reassembley. 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/26/24 7:33 a.m.

it was scrubbed by flood and flash light. Before sunrise today. 

 

Really kind of wondering what it's going to look like in the daylight after work when it dries

maschinenbau
maschinenbau PowerDork
1/26/24 9:41 a.m.

Sawblades look good on absolutely everything don't they?

Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos)
Brett_Murphy (Agent of Chaos) MegaDork
1/26/24 9:47 a.m.

In reply to AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) :

That's when the center diff fails, especially when turning. Until that happens, it'll try to transfer power to the wheels it thinks are slipping.

SiF
SiF New Reader
1/26/24 10:04 a.m.

To ID a mystery rear diff ratio. insert two CVS into the rear. paint a mark on the input flange. Lock one CV so it cant spin, and spin the other CV noting the number of revolutions to determine gear ratio. Pulling the cover is stupid because they're always crusty in salt land.

For finding the front diff on MTs, you just reference the tag on the bellhousing with the subaru gear chart, autos I reference with cars101 and hope its the origional correct trans: https://www.cars101.com/baja.html

It's easier to figure it out then blow the center up. A failed center diff will feel like a 4x4 truck binding when turning in a parking lot. As it gets worse the rear end will try and pass the front end while driving at speed, it handles really poorly. Once the center diff is overheated enough it expands enough to blow the snap ring holding all the guts in and puke all its bits out into the transfer case which then locks up and explodes. 

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
1/26/24 10:38 a.m.
SiF said:

Once the center diff is overheated enough it expands enough to blow the snap ring holding all the guts in and puke all its bits out into the transfer case which then locks up and explodes. 

that sounds... entertaining.  in for pix!

SiF
SiF New Reader
1/26/24 10:57 a.m.
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) said:
SiF said:

Once the center diff is overheated enough it expands enough to blow the snap ring holding all the guts in and puke all its bits out into the transfer case which then locks up and explodes. 

that sounds... entertaining.  in for pix!

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/26/24 10:59 a.m.

Oof.

Do. Not. Want. 

 

And welcome sif! Thanks for joining us!!

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/26/24 11:01 a.m.
maschinenbau said:

Sawblades look good on absolutely everything don't they?

Yes they do!

Dneikirk
Dneikirk New Reader
1/26/24 12:36 p.m.

In reply to maschinenbau :

Especially 1st gen Saturns!

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
1/26/24 12:37 p.m.
Dneikirk said:

In reply to maschinenbau :

Especially 1st gen Saturns!

prove it!

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/26/24 4:51 p.m.

Going to call it good enough for who its for!!

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/26/24 7:54 p.m.

smoke test passed with flying colors. No discernible leaks, even from the stock intercooler!!!

 

 

Stampie
Stampie MegaDork
1/26/24 8:39 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

And the test drive ...

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/26/24 9:09 p.m.

In reply to Stampie :

Couple days yet. Still a lot of reassembley and double checking to do before that point  

Stampie
Stampie MegaDork
1/26/24 9:33 p.m.

In reply to Dusterbd13-michael :

Hopefully it'll do a burn out for you.

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
1/26/24 10:29 p.m.

No. No burnouts. 

 

However, a no hood/ bumper /headlight/exhaust test drive may happen. 

Calling it a night. 

 

AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter)
AngryCorvair (Forum Supporter) MegaDork
1/26/24 10:42 p.m.

Duster doesn't even know how to do a burnout...

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