Is an Open Differential Good for Drifting?

No—an open differential is generally a poor choice for drifting because it sends power to the wheel with the least grip, making it harder to initiate and sustain controlled oversteer; while you can practice basic slides in low-grip conditions, consistent drifting typically requires a limited-slip differential (LSD) or a locked/welded diff. This article explains why, outlines workable scenarios, and compares better alternatives for drivers aiming for predictable, repeatable drift behavior.

What an Open Differential Does

An open differential splits engine torque between the two driven wheels but allows them to rotate at different speeds, which is ideal for normal cornering. Under low-traction conditions, however, it routes most torque to the wheel that slips first. For drifting, that behavior undermines the ability to drive the car with throttle and maintain a stable slide through transitions.

Why Drifters Avoid Open Diffs

Drifting relies on controllably overwhelming rear grip and then using throttle to modulate angle and speed. An open diff fights that by unloading the inside tire and reducing drive to the outside tire, which is the one you need to push the car sideways.

The following points summarize the main drawbacks of trying to drift with an open differential:

• Single-wheel spin: Power flows to the inside, unloaded wheel, stalling the slide and killing momentum.
• Inconsistent initiation: Techniques like clutch kicks or feints may start a slide, but the diff often “opens” mid-corner, making angle hard to hold.
• Unpredictable transitions: Left-right changes (manji/chicanes) become abrupt or fade out because torque delivery isn’t locked across the axle.
• Greater reliance on brakes: Drivers compensate with handbrake or left-foot braking, which increases heat and wear and still lacks throttle authority.
• Uneven tire wear and heat: The spinning inside tire overheats quickly, reducing grip further and shortening tire life.

Taken together, these issues make an open diff a frustrating, inconsistent foundation for learning or performing controlled drifting, especially on dry tarmac.

When Can You Drift an Open Diff?

It can work in very low-grip conditions—wet asphalt, polished concrete, snow, or tightly confined practice areas—where minimal torque is needed to overwhelm traction. You can practice throttle lifts, weight transfer, and basic handbrake entries at modest speeds. Still, the technique ceiling is low: sustained angles, reliable transitions, and linking multiple corners remain difficult without a more suitable differential.

Better Options for Drifting

Welded/Locked Differential

A welded (or spool/locker) diff locks both wheels together 100% of the time, providing ultra-predictable oversteer and easy initiation. Downsides include tire scrub, parking-lot hopping, increased understeer at turn-in, higher driveline stress, and potential legal/inspection issues for road use.

Clutch-Type LSD (1.5-way or 2-way)

The drifting standard. A 2-way clutch LSD locks on acceleration and deceleration, stabilizing entries and transitions; a 1.5-way locks fully on throttle and partially off-throttle for a compromise in street manners. They’re tunable (preload, ramp angles, friction plates) and serviceable but require proper break-in and periodic fluid changes.

Helical/Torsen LSD

These torque-biasing units work well for grip driving but can “open up” if one wheel fully unloads, which is common in drifting. They’re smoother on the street and maintenance-light but are less consistent for sustained slides compared to clutch-type or welded diffs.

Electronic LSDs and Brake-Based Systems

Some modern cars simulate LSD behavior via clutch packs or brake-based torque vectoring. Performance-oriented eLSDs can be decent in “track” modes, but brake-based systems generate heat and may cut power, causing fade and inconsistency in longer drift sessions.

Here is a practical guide to choosing a diff setup for drifting based on how you drive and your budget:

• Budget practice/track-only car: Welded diff for maximum lock and predictability at low cost.
• Dual-use street and drift: 1.5-way clutch LSD for friendlier road manners and reliable drift behavior.
• Competition or serious practice: 2-way clutch LSD with appropriate preload and ramp angles.
• Late-model performance car with eLSD: Use the most permissive track/drift mode; monitor temps and consistency.

Matching the diff to your intended use prevents wasted money and helps you learn faster, with fewer mechanical compromises and safer dynamics.

Setup Tips If You’re Stuck With an Open Diff

If you can’t change the differential yet, you can still make the car more cooperative for low-speed practice and wet-surface drills while preserving safety margins.

The following adjustments and techniques can make an open-diff car slightly more drift-friendly:

• Initiation: Use weight transfer (feint), clutch kicks, or a brief handbrake tug to start rotation.
• Tires: Run slightly higher rear pressures or a harder compound/narrower size in back to lower grip; keep grippier tires up front for steering authority.
• Alignment: Aim for good front grip (more negative camber, mild toe-out); keep rear toe close to zero for neutrality and predictable breakaway.
• Electronics: Fully disable traction/stability aids that cut power or brake the spinning wheel.
• Technique: Maintain steady throttle once sliding; minimize mid-corner lifts that prompt the diff to unload.
• Brakes and cooling: Avoid long brake-based slides; give the car cool-down laps to prevent fade.
• Maintenance: Fresh diff fluid and consistent tire pressures improve feel and reduce surprises.

These steps won’t transform an open diff into a drift-ready setup, but they can make practice safer and more controlled until you upgrade.

Safety, Legality, and Mechanical Risk

Practice only in controlled environments with ample runoff (skid pads, drift days). Aggressive techniques (clutch kicks, curb taps) stress driveline components, especially with welded diffs. A welded diff may be illegal or fail inspection for road use in some regions; verify local laws and consider trailering the car. Regularly inspect axles, bearings, mounts, and suspension hardware.

Bottom Line

An open differential is not good for drifting on dry pavement. While you can learn basics in low-grip conditions, consistent angle, throttle control, and transitions are far easier with a welded diff or a clutch-type LSD—ideally a 2-way for dedicated drifting. If drifting is your goal, the diff is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make.

Summary

Open diffs prioritize everyday drivability but undermine drifting by spinning the inside wheel and starving the outside of torque. They can work only in low-grip practice scenarios and remain inconsistent. For predictable, repeatable drifts, choose a welded diff for budget builds or a clutch-type LSD (1.5-way or 2-way) for street-plus-track or competition use, and make supporting setup changes to tires, alignment, and electronics.

Can you drift an open diff?

Yes, you can drift an open differential, but it is significantly harder, less controlled, and more stressful on the drivetrain than a car with a limited-slip or welded differential. An open diff allows one wheel to spin while the other remains stationary, making it difficult to maintain a drift and causing unpredictable weight shifts. To compensate, you often need to use specific techniques like clutch kicking and continuous car flicking, which can cause drivetrain damage.
 
This video demonstrates how challenging it is to drift with an open differential: 1mUntitled GamingYouTube · Apr 2, 2023
Why an open differential is challenging for drifting

• One-wheel spin: An open differential sends most power to the wheel with the least resistance, meaning one rear wheel will spin while the other doesn’t get enough power to keep the car sliding. 
• Loss of momentum: When you attempt a transition between corners, the inside wheel may lose traction, causing the car to lose momentum and fail to swing into the next slide, according to YouTube. 
• Lack of control: The unpredictable nature of the open diff makes it hard to control the car’s slide and weight distribution. 

Techniques for drifting with an open differential

• Flicking and throttle modulation: Opens in new tabYou’ll need to “flick” the car to break traction and then precisely modulate the throttle to get both wheels to spin. 
• Clutch kicking: Opens in new tabThis technique involves using the clutch to briefly cut power and then re-engage it quickly, causing the rear end to slide out and helping to get both wheels spinning. 
• Handbrake and momentum: Opens in new tabUsing the handbrake can assist in initiating a drift, and you’ll need a lot of momentum to keep the slide going. 

Drawbacks and risks

• Drivetrain stress: Techniques like clutch kicking put significant stress on the clutch, transmission, driveshaft, and differential, potentially leading to damage. 
• Unpredictability: You will have less control over the car’s behavior, making it a challenging and potentially frustrating experience. 

This video shows how to use clutch kicking to initiate a drift with an open differential: 41sBemfaYouTube · Jan 15, 2025
Alternatives for better drifting

• Limited-Slip Differential (LSD): Opens in new tabAn LSD is the best option, as it locks the wheels together under power to keep both wheels driving. 
• Welded Differential: Opens in new tabA more budget-friendly alternative, a welded differential permanently locks the rear wheels together, making them both receive equal power for a more predictable drift. 

What diff is best for drifting?

For drifting, the best differentials are 2-way Limited Slip Differentials (LSDs) or locked spools/welded differentials because they provide more power to both rear wheels, making it easier to initiate and maintain a drift. While LSDs offer controlled power distribution, spools provide 100% lock for maximum rear-end control and predictability, making them popular for competitive drifting. 
Understanding the options:

• Open Differential: Standard in many cars, it’s not ideal for drifting because it sends most power to the wheel with the least traction, making it hard to break traction. 
• Limited Slip Differential (LSD): A more advanced option that sends power to both wheels but allows some difference in speed. 
  • 1.5-way LSD: Locks under acceleration but provides less lock during deceleration, making it less aggressive than a 2-way LSD. 
  • 2-way LSD: Locks under both acceleration and deceleration, providing more aggressive and predictable power to the rear wheels, which is excellent for drifting. 
• Locked Spool/Welded Differential: These differentials lock both rear wheels together, ensuring they spin at the same speed, which allows for more dramatic and controlled rear-end slides. 
  • Pros: Full lock provides consistency and makes it easier to kick the rear out. 
  • Cons: Can cause noise, increased wear and tear, and durability issues compared to some LSDs. 

Choosing the right differential:

• For beginners: A 2-way LSD offers a good balance of control and ease of initiation, making it a popular choice for both daily driving and drifting. 
• For experienced drifters: A locked spool or welded differential is preferred for its absolute predictability and consistent lock. 
• Consider your driving style: The “best” differential is subjective and depends on personal preference and how you want the car to behave. 

What are the cons of open diff?

The primary disadvantage of an open differential is poor traction on low-grip surfaces because power is sent to the wheel with less resistance, causing it to spin uselessly and leaving the vehicle stuck. This “one-wheel peel” reduces the power to the other wheel, limiting the vehicle’s ability to accelerate or move. Open differentials are also unsuitable for performance driving, as the weight transfer in corners can lead to understeer and a lack of control.
 
Specific Disadvantages

• Reduced Traction in Low-Grip Conditions: Opens in new tabIn situations like rain, snow, ice, or off-road terrain, if one wheel loses traction, all the engine’s power goes to that slipping wheel, effectively stopping any meaningful forward movement. 
• “One-Wheel Peel” Under Acceleration: Opens in new tabUnder heavy acceleration on a normal surface, the inner wheel in a turn may lose grip, causing it to spin, while the outer wheel, which has grip, receives very little power. 
• Ineffective for Performance Driving: Opens in new tabOpen differentials struggle during high-speed cornering and drifting because they cannot effectively transfer power to the wheel with more grip, hindering control and stability. 
• Difficulty in Off-Road Conditions: Opens in new tabThey are almost useless in challenging off-road scenarios with staggered holes or uneven surfaces, as they can’t provide continuous power to both wheels when one is off the ground or slipping. 
• Understeer: Opens in new tabIn a front-wheel-drive vehicle, the lack of power to the outside wheel can contribute to understeer, where the car tends to push straight instead of turning as intended. 
• Power is Limited by the Slipping Wheel: Opens in new tabThe open differential will send the same amount of torque to both wheels. This means the maximum torque the vehicle can effectively use is limited by the wheel that has the least amount of traction. 

Is open or closed diff better for drifting?

The open diff results in the inside tire spinning while the outside tire has plenty of grip. In contrast, the LSD works by locking the diff as soon as the inside wheel starts to spin, distributing power to both tires and causing a controlled slide. In terms of drifting, open differentials can be a major issue.