I've had the BM LSD insert in my 91 Talon TSI fwd for about 2 months now and I'm so satisfied with it that I wanted to write up a brief review of it for anyone who might be interested.
THE SAGA:
I actually purchased this part because I found out that I needed the bearings in my tranny replaced and I knew that I was sorely in need of new synchros. I figured while the tranny was apart I would go the extra mile and get an LSD insert since I could use any help with traction and handling that I could get. At first, I called Turbotrix for the BM insert and it was back-ordered a few weeks. Unfortunately I had already scheduled the appointment to have my tranny worked on and I didn't want to reschedule so I went ahead and ordered the Phantom Grip LSD with the upgraded race springs from JEGS. Everything was all set and I dropped my parts and car off at the tranny shop until 1 wk later when I received a phone call. My tranny mechanic explained that the Phantom Grip was too tall to fit into my diff and that he wasn't happy with the quality of the part at all. I went down to the shop and took a look at it, and I was frustrated as well. Not wanting to deal with a second problem, I went with my gut instinct and called Turbotrix back. Luckily for me they had the BM insert in stock. I spoke directly to Jeff and explained to him that my car was apart in the shop, the other tranny work was done, and that the only thing keeping me from getting my car back was not having an LSD insert that would fit. He had no problem next-daying the LSD to me, which arrived at my house promptly at 9:45AM the next morning- he was able to sneak the insert out to me right before UPS pickup. It was a pleasure speaking with them, and they were very accomodating compared to past experiences I've had with other people over the phone.
THE PERFORMANCE:
Unfortunately for you numbers hungry DSM freaks that I know and love, I have yet to race the car at a track or course at all, so I have no numbers to compare on any kind of track. However, I do have some street experience that I can speak of. I definitely feel a difference in my launches with the insert. Both tires scream now, but the car actually pulls even when it catches rubber. Being fwd, it still needs a controlled launch to be successful, but that comes with the wrong-wheel-drive territory. Feathering the clutch a little, the tires spin but pull much stronger than before. My wheelhop has been eliminated by about 99.7% since the install as well. The biggest surprise I found with this part though, was the improved handling. I was never big on twisty, windy roads and curves until this LSD was installed. The car seems to grip much harder on the curves, and it feels much tighter than before. A great deal of the sloppiness that I despised when I used to boost in the twisties has disappeared. I still want to go with poly suspension bushings, but I'm assuming that those combined with the LSD will make for a vastly improved car in regards to handling. Regular driving hasn't been effected at all by the BM insert either.
THE VERDICT:
I would recommend this part to anyone wanting to improve the traction and handling of their DSM. At $200 even, it was easily worth its weight in gold. I don't want to talk poorly about the Phantom Grip unit but I have heard some bad things about their insert and now I have personal experience about its quality and fitment, and I would tell anyone to go with the BM. It's great to support the DSM-based companies and the BM's stock springs are stronger at over 1000 lbs than the upgraded race springs provided with the PG at an additional cost (I believe they're rated at 775 lbs). The PG retails for around $250 and the race springs are another $25 to $30, so you make the call for yourself on that one. All in all I was extremely pleased with Turbotrix's customer service and promptness as well as the BM LSD insert that they offer. It's the best $200 Ive spent in a while, so if you're thinking about getting one, don't think about it- go ahead and get it
