Limited slip differential question
 

Now I know this is a major longshot. But has any member with access to lots of new limited slip differentials ever did a measured comparison with other applications to see if there is a off the shelf LSD that is close enough that a machine shop could machine another carrier to fit in a W116 or a W123 housing.........I guess I don't have enough important stuff to be doing right now to even dream that one up so humor me. This is an interesting "what it"....since there are no known off the shelf direct fit units.

How about an air locker? The you could have an excuse for an air horn at the same time.....

Well Lockers , Limited slip either are on the table as far as I am concerned...anything except a spool wich is NOT an option for obvious reasons.

This is more for inclimate weather traction...(snow, ice and rain) than it is for dry traction.

An LSD or locker would be sweet for the Winter. I would love to have something along thos elines in my car. First I have to return my car to operable condition......

Didn't the W116 6.9 use a LSD? FYI There is one on eBay, starting bid $500 I believe its in the NE (New England/NorthEast) area somewhere, I came across it last night. Parts car category.
The LSD differential would I think be a 2.65 ratio, you just can't find that LSD when you want one!

I need to look closer at that....for me its less important on the W116 than the W123....as the W123 is going to see winter use.....and the W116 won't.

I know these things are either as rare as gold egg laying Geese or hens Teeth or non-existant for OEM units...and aftermarket is a bust....but is there any that can be easily modified to fit and has this approach even been considered?.

I would not suggest any work in the way of opening the differential (other than draining it). Just find one that fits and swap it. The reason I say that is because its easy to botch up the guts on a diff esp a LSD, even replacing the front seal and torquing the pinion nut down correctly is almost impossible to do if you never been down that road (I have no direct experience here, except to say I have seen ONE mechanic that was capable of doing the job right, he is Peter Schmidt with over 40 years experience in rebuilding transmissions)
BTW that 6.9 is here:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7975338852

You might have better luck with something from another manufacturer if you are serious. The mounting would be a challenge, and you can get a drivetrain shop to machine some half-shafts to match the diff to the hubs. Problem is you may have trouble finding a low enough ratio, the Nissans and Toyotas all are 3.70:1 and 4.11:1, even 4.35:1.