A caveat: What is explained below is non-scientific and certainly not a scientific accurate explaination of how the Torsen works. It only illustrates how the behavior of the Torsen works in the real world.

You can consider the Torsen as a torque mulfiplier, if you wish, that takes a multiple of the torque applied to the wheel with less traction, and applies it to the wheel with more traction. If the wheel with less traction has ZERO traction and ZERO applied torque, then the wheel with more traction potential will receive a multiple of ZERO, which we know is zero.

This is how the T1 and T2 work. The T2R, on the other hand, is a Torsen with a set of preload clutches inside that make sure there is always some applied torque on the spinning wheel. Therefore if you lift a wheel in a corner, you will still get some power to the other wheel with traction.

 

Ok, interesting.

Does this apply to both set of wheels. Meaning if you lift the left wheel the right will not turn and/or vice versa? I was thinking that the primary side (left I think) should always spin because it is directly mounted to the ring gear right?

Or does all the worm gears inside make it an indirect mount to the ring making it possible for the tire not to spin in the cornering situation you guys have just decribed?

Jeff

 

Here, you can see a torsen diff in action while cornering hard,
http://www.transamws6.com/video/manny-acu4.wmv

There are 4 complete runs in the video and you can see where the torsen acts like an open rear in the hard right hander nearest the camera.

and here is the torsen acting like a posi doing a little burnout,
http://www.transamws6.com/video/burnout.wmv