I can definitively say that a stock porsche LSD from a 944 box will bolt right into a standard audi 016 transaxle. A fine member from this site sold me a stock 944 LSD and it bolted right in no problem. The only thing that was different (in terms of fit) was that the 016 open differential has a notch cut in the RH output shaft into which the plastic spline drive gear fits for the rev counter. I didn't bother with notching this in as a) it would be difficult because the metal shaft is very hard metal (would have to use a grinder most likely), and b) my car uses an electronic rotation counter run off the CV axle bolt heads (so I don't need the internal rev counter function).
The stock porsche 944 LSD is a very nice unit - friction plate, not torsen. It's not the most high performance LSD, it only has a few plates, not 10 or more like some of the more modern ones. But, it works well and you can adjust the lock up with the pre-load on the cupped washers on either end of the stack.
Installation is a bit of work as it's not just a matter of taking off the side plate and then removing/installing the LSD. Unfortunately not. The gear set and gear set housing has to be separated from the bellhousing so that the pinion and main shaft are not in the way of getting the diff/crown wheel out of the bellhousing. Then, of course, once the LSD is installed (with new bearings and seals) then the clearance has to be set on the differential...both the pinion/crown clearance and adjustment, and also the lateral clearance and adjustment for the LH/RH taper bearings using the shims set in behind the bearing races. Get ready to take the races in/out a few times, and find a way to do it without damaging the shims or the housing/race.
I also replaced the input/main shaft seal. I didn't replace the pinion taper bearing as it looked very good (hoping that wasn't a mistake...). All the syncros and gear teeth looked excellent, and there was no metal in the old oil which was drained. Filled 'er up with a 50/50 mix of Redline 75W90/75W90NS. The 016 in the car is coded AAZ (OK, but not so great ratios) while the one to be swapped in is coded AFC (more long legged). Now I just need to find a weekend without other distractions I can swap out the transaxles
Sorry I didn't take any pics!
The stock porsche 944 LSD is a very nice unit - friction plate, not torsen. It's not the most high performance LSD, it only has a few plates, not 10 or more like some of the more modern ones. But, it works well and you can adjust the lock up with the pre-load on the cupped washers on either end of the stack.
Installation is a bit of work as it's not just a matter of taking off the side plate and then removing/installing the LSD. Unfortunately not. The gear set and gear set housing has to be separated from the bellhousing so that the pinion and main shaft are not in the way of getting the diff/crown wheel out of the bellhousing. Then, of course, once the LSD is installed (with new bearings and seals) then the clearance has to be set on the differential...both the pinion/crown clearance and adjustment, and also the lateral clearance and adjustment for the LH/RH taper bearings using the shims set in behind the bearing races. Get ready to take the races in/out a few times, and find a way to do it without damaging the shims or the housing/race.
I also replaced the input/main shaft seal. I didn't replace the pinion taper bearing as it looked very good (hoping that wasn't a mistake...). All the syncros and gear teeth looked excellent, and there was no metal in the old oil which was drained. Filled 'er up with a 50/50 mix of Redline 75W90/75W90NS. The 016 in the car is coded AAZ (OK, but not so great ratios) while the one to be swapped in is coded AFC (more long legged). Now I just need to find a weekend without other distractions I can swap out the transaxles
Sorry I didn't take any pics!