Review: Subaru's DCCD in snow

[Davis Silver Sti]

This is the first time I've actually spent time using the DCCD (driver controlled differential) in full 50/50 lock mode. (couple 20 miles trips between work and around the city) I must say that the 50/50 lock is an excellent setting for traction in very slippery conditions.

Here's a good write up on DCCD:

http://www.canadiandriver.com/articles/jk/031210.htm

http://wallace.as.arizona.edu/~cgroppi/ ... D_FAQ.html (http://wallace.as.arizona.edu/~cgroppi/DCCD_FAQ/DCCD_FAQ.html)

http://www.sti-buki.com/forums/showthre ... genumber=1 (http://www.sti-buki.com/forums/showthread.php?s=d5fb67e56062271cad5cfae3b433aef3&threadid=6&perpage=15&pagenumber=1)

My driveway is fairly level except for the beginning which has about 15 feet of a fairly steep slope. With 1/2inch snow/ice on the driveway this morning it had no problem pullin thru at 50/50 full lock. Pickup trucks were sliding around (perhaps due to driver error) but the Sti had no probs sloshing around the snow.

There are 7 setting for the DCCD using the control button seen here:
http://www.cars101.com/subaru/impreza/STi05DCCDbuttons1.JPG
See attached pic for other HUD setting

98% of the time I keep the car in Auto setting. It does a great job in that setting for nearly every condition including running lot laps at Mid-Ohio. In Auto, if the need arises, it will go to full rear lock, depending on what the sensors are telling it.
The other settings give a certain % of torque split between the wheels. I really just use Auto, full 50/50 lock and full rear lock.

Sometimes I put it in full rear lock making a 35 front/65 rear power split. (really feel s like RWD) If its dry and warm I use that rear lock for AutoX, as it gives just enough rear rotation to power thru the turns.

Anyways, I just thought I'd write a little bit on this gizmo.

[ShortysTRM]

Actually, the non-adjustable diff in my Legacy GT is doing fine. We drove to Cinci to pick up a Z3 3.0 for my dad and the Subaru never skipped a beat. The snow got so bad that we ended up having to get a hotel and waiting it out, but the only times the Suby slipped were when I, Petter Solberg, wanted it to. LIke I sad before, AWD will be the new standard to which future cars must conform. The balance feels like RWD, the traction is nearly unstoppable (braking still sucks in the snow lol), and the car really doesn't get bad gas mileage like I had thought. Now all I have to do is squeeze another 60-135 HP out of it and I may be in business :oops: .

I have been thinking about it lately, and it does seem as if it may be hard not to spin a little if you had an STi, given the power and the short gearing in a manual trans. Also, the dealership we bought the Z3 (pretty sweet, BTW) from had 2 Impreza wagons and a WRX sedan. They were all 3 "Gunbarrel Blue," which I had never heard of. They literally look black, even when right on top of them, unless they're in the right light.

[Davis Silver Sti]

Actually, the non-adjustable diff in my Legacy GT is doing fine. We drove to Cinci to pick up a Z3 3.0 for my dad and the Subaru never skipped a beat. The snow got so bad that we ended up having to get a hotel and waiting it out, but the only times the Suby slipped were when I, Petter Solberg, wanted it to. LIke I sad before, AWD will be the new standard to which future cars must conform. The balance feels like RWD, the traction is nearly unstoppable (braking still sucks in the snow lol), and the car really doesn't get bad gas mileage like I had thought. Now all I have to do is squeeze another 60-135 HP out of it and I may be in business :oops: .

I have been thinking about it lately, and it does seem as if it may be hard not to spin a little if you had an STi, given the power and the short gearing in a manual trans. Also, the dealership we bought the Z3 (pretty sweet, BTW) from had 2 Impreza wagons and a WRX sedan. They were all 3 "Gunbarrel Blue," which I had never heard of. They literally look black, even when right on top of them, unless they're in the right light.

The non-adj diff in my old RS did great as does the rest of the Sube and Evo's do. The RS was in a way more controllable in the snow as the you wouldn't break immediate traction at half throttle like the STi does at 2800prm. (fat torque)
I think the normal WRX and non-turbo'd Subes would be great on the AutoX course in the rain or snow and should take top time with the lower hp and torque.. Its a handful for me (yet fun) to get the Sti around the course in the slippery stuff.
My 88hp Volvo did awesome in the snow when I live in Sweden.....nice steel studded Gislaved tires helped too. Bigger HP isn't always great.

Troy, let's see some pics of your new ride!!

[Feedman]

Little off topic....my mom's jeep is of course 4wd and it does an amazing job....of course the tires help....

Amazing...I can launch her car better in the snow than I can my car in the dry.....lol.... 8)

[ShortysTRM]

Since the car's stock right now, I'm just goin to post a Motor Trend pic. It's about the closest I could find, only mine has the spoiler/wing/thing. Same color, I think.

http://motortrend.com/roadtests/coupe/112_9911_legacygt01_l.jpg

I would like to clear my corner lights like this guy. I also like his grill and fornt bumper, but that costs money...
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/5/web/761000-761999/761939_10_full.jpg

April's mom has a 2001 (?) Jeep Grand Cherokee with full-time 4wd and that SOB is fast. It's huge but I ran a 7.18 second 0-60 on a G-tech with it, and it chirped the tires on launch lol. I have always thought that the driveline from that Jeep would do wonders in a compact car. :D You'd probably get 30+ MPG, sub 6 second 0-60's, and all of the gearing is made for a big SUV so the decreased weight would only add to the durability.

[Feedman]

I like that car alot Troy...

Looks good....

Like to see it in person.... 8)

[ShortysTRM]

I'm a little weary of autocrossing it since I kinda want to sell it for a WRX or 2.5 RS. It feels very solid and the torque curve is as flat as Paris Hilton, so it may do fairly well. It's runnin on all-seasons right now, though.

[Feedman]

I'm a little weary of autocrossing it since I kinda want to sell it for a WRX or 2.5 RS. It feels very solid and the torque curve is as flat as Paris Hilton, so it may do fairly well. It's runnin on all-seasons right now, though.


Paris makes up for that on the bottem end though.... 8)

[daveb91]

Shes as skinny as a rail and has a face of a dog. She looks like her dog tinkerbell.

Anyways you didnt get the turbo version? really I havent seen a Subaru that was bad in snow from the Brat to the new cars.

[ShortysTRM]

I didn't have a choice of what I got, as it was my dad's until yesterday. It's a 2.5L w/ 165 HP and 166 Tq. No turbo version in 2002, either.

[Davis Silver Sti]

I didn't have a choice of what I got, as it was my dad's until yesterday. It's a 2.5L w/ 165 HP and 166 Tq. No turbo version in 2002, either.
Like I have said somehere...that's a great engine. Bulletproff and has a great torque curve. You can get moving pretty good without having to rev-the heck outta it like so many high-strung (example: vtec) engines.

[ShortysTRM]

Yeah, I was just talking about that. It seems lime most 4 cylinder engines require high revs and feel as if they're struggling, but this thing just kinda goes. It's not fast by any means, but it's a cool powerplant nonetheless. I have to do some maintenance ASAP. I will probably change the air filter, fuel filter, spark plugs, and maybe brake pads. The car has 52,000 miles on it and the plugs are supposed to be changed at 30K. Is there any reason to buy or not to buy NGK Iridium IX's or NGK OE Laser Iridium? Also, the intake is already a CAI with very little restriction, so I wonder if I should spring for an intake or just a drop-in K&N (or neither?)?

[Davis Silver Sti]

I had a cone -shapped K&N. you have to be really careful on gettig a full CAI..it can seriously screw with the MAF sensor. That was the only "engine" mod I had on my RS. Later I got a Prodrve suspension tarmac kit...that was fun!

I never messed with the spark plugs.....they can be a pain to get to with the flat 4. Yea, put good oils everywhere and it should run like a top. I sold mine with 65K miles and it didn't skip a beat. This site may be of interest to you

:) http://cobbtuning.com/legacy/