weld or not weld diff!!!????

[Conkers]

I am running a welded diff in my S12, but I also have decent suspension and road legal slicks for track days. I haven't been out on a track with it yet though, so can't comment on just how understeery it will be, but so far the messing around I have done is a good indication that it turns in a treat, and has a lot of grip... in slow corners, roundabouts and junctions it's almost like someone pulled the handbrake on as soon as you turn the steering, this is due to the welded diff... swings and roundabouts really (excuse the pun). a LSD would be a better option for performance road use and occasional track days, but if you want to keep it within a reasonable budget, I would certainly reccomend welding the diff.
The negatives are the scrubbing tyres, and the punishment the driveshafts get whilst turning slowly.... it almost feels more humane to dump the clutch and spin the rear of the car around, rather than letting the inside wheel hop skip and jump around....

I did see a "how to" somewhere on here... and it wasn't difficult, but I would reccomend you to remove the diff, (remove rear axle from the car and the diff cage from the axle housing) clean out the oil, cover the bearings up and then spend a while getting weld spatter off the surrounding area afterwards. I used a mig welder and welded the planet gears to the sun gears, just put the welder on max and blasted the bejeesus out of it...... carefully.... side for side and letting it cool before doing the next bit...

LSD is better for road use, more expensive than welding, but probably not that much more work to fit it.
Welded diff is better for drifting.... and cheaper... pays yer money and makes yer choice....

Mike.