Ok, I put this in the "Performance" forum, even though it'* about LSD but not about speed

We sometimes use the '98 LeSabre to tow a small popup camper; earlier this spring we nearly got stuck a few times on a rutted, muddy road. We also use this car to go up to the mountains (Big Bear, et.al.) in the winter, and the roads can be rather slippery. The five or six times a year it actually rains in San Diego, all the accumulated oils on the highway come up and it'* like driving on ice. Finally, I'm thinking of getting a small aluminum boat on trailer for the bay that can be towed by this car, and the ramps can get slick with kelp.

I know LSD / Positrac is a no-brainer in a RWD for any of these situations, but are any of these things going to be helped in this FWD application by LSD?

(Say "yes" and I've got a bunch more questions... :P )

Yes, power to both wheels versus one is ALWAYS better in rough conditions. An LSD should give you a better chance of not getting stuck.

Yes also here.

If you are racing..it helps to reduce the effects of torque steer and in foul conditions it'll help by giving you a near equal pull from both tires.

OK, I'm encouraged so far...

Now for more questions:

1) Can the LSD be installed right on the car? According to FSM, it'* basically: remove the passenger side half axle, transaxle-block brace, differential cover, and a snap ring; then the differential is swapped right in...sound right?

2) Is a used Intense Gen1 non-HD LSD even worth looking at? What should I be inspecting on the part?

Not sure on the used non HD part. My understanding is the only difference from HD to normal is the diff cover housing and the diff. I did hear of one person getting a 97 diff that wouldn't fit in an 00 style diff housing. ConnGP

Overall..Intense has a lifetime warranty on their diff'*. Not sure if it'* transferrable. I know in my case I can send them the diff for a freshen/tune up which takes care of looking over all parts and replacing any worn items. The only thing I pay is shipping IIRC.

Hmmm, interesting...

e-mailing Todd at Intense right now...

Gen 1 is a pretty old design, and wasn't very reliable at all, if you get one, get a newer design.

Define "not reliable"...do you mean "more likely than stock to break," or "doesn't reliably put down double stripes?"

My understanding is that Gen1 is basically a modded stock diffy, using the stock pinion and gears, but with clutches and springs replacing thrust washers. Was that clutch and spring pack fragile and likely to blow apart? Or was it just not as good a design (as far as limiting slip) as later updates?

Also bear in mind that Gen1 was, as far as I've been able to determine, the only generation available for a non-HD transaxle/driveaxle...I don't have the inclination to go HD. So my choices are basically go Gen1 or stay stock...

OK, so if I don't get any supported objections or warnings, I'm gonna go ahead and pursue this...

If you do, I'm certainly interested in how it all turns out.