Limited Slip Differential
 

Does a Boxster have a Limited Slip Differential (LSD) or not. And if so, how much locking does it give, 25%, 40%, etc.


If I consult the books I see a line saying that 996's have a LSD. Boxster(S) is not mentioned.

When I throw the car in a drift it feels like having one, i.e. traction during the drift, immediate reaction and throtle changes, and no inside wheel spinning.


Mark.

AFAIK the Boxter does not have a limited slip, nor is it available as an option. However, if you have Porsche Stability Management (PSM) or its predecessor traction control system, it will have a similar effect to a LSD.

Traction control uses the ABS sensors to detect wheel slip (e.g., inside wheel in a corner)and lightly applies some braking to just that wheel. The open (non-LS) differential doesn't know the difference between the slipping wheel actually regaining traction or being dragged by the brake. In either case it will send more torque to the wheel that has traction, which is the desired effect and what a limited slip differential does.

I do not know what the equivalent "slip factor" for this type of traction control is, or even whether it's meaningful.