Wavetrac Differential For Civic FK/FC 2016+ 1.5T & 2.0 6MT

Simply put - Wavetrac is the only gear diff on the market that does not lose all drive when one axle is unloaded. Axles become unloaded in aggressive driving, track cornering, extremely slick surfaces, etc. It happens more than most people realise.

We won’t go into torque bias ratios or the concept of how torque biasing diffs work at this point. Let’s get to how the Wavetrac affects performance:

For example, you have a conventional gear diff (OEM, Quaife, MF, OBX, Truetrac, Torsen, etc.), you're on a race track for a track day and during cornering your inside wheel bumps over the curbing. This is normal for track driving. The issue is that for the brief moments your inside tire becomes unloaded when bouncing over curbs, your other wheel is not getting drive - is not putting power down. Gear diffs need load on both axles in order to function. The result on a track (or during aggressive driving) is that there are many times when a normal gear diff supplies only intermittent power to the gripping wheel.

Now, same track with Wavetrac: the patented cam device in the Wavetrac prevents loss of drive when that inside wheel is unloaded. The device is able to generate a load inside the diff (to replace the lost load as it happens) that can then be biased to the gripping wheel - in the end making more consistent power delivery through a corner. That makes the car more predictable, and faster overall.

Other benefits:

• Patented Carbon Fibre Bias Plate for the pinions. All other gear type LSDs run the pinions on the housing, meaning the friction from 0 miles is different to 100 miles, thus effectiveness is reduced over the life of the diff. With the Wavetrac performance is consistent with the Carbon Fibre bias plates!
• Patented Wave Profile eliminates the effect of a near to and zero load condition drive ability issues found in all other gear type ATB LSDs.
• ARP Bolts used throughout for superior faster reliability. 
• 9310 steel gears run in billet or forged steel bodies. 
• Manufactured & Designed in the USA

1. Normal Torque-Biasing Noise

Many owners report a clicking or subtle mechanical “thump” under moderate acceleration / deceleration, especially during gear changes or when torque direction shifts.

2. Oil Sensitivity Can Reduce Effectiveness

Wavetrac diffs rely on friction between internal gears for torque biasing. Using wrong gear oil types with anti-friction or limited-slip additives can make the LSD feel like it’s not engaging as expected.

3. More Aggressive Feel on the Street

Owners on forums contrast Wavetrac with OEM or other helical LSDs (e.g., Quaife) and note that in some cars the Wavetrac can feel more abrupt or “yankier” under hard acceleration out of corners. This is not a mechanical failure but a performance trait of the torque-biasing design.

4. Install-Related Fitment / Shimming Considerations

Although not specific to the Civic platform, advanced transmissions like the FK/FC 6MT often require careful shim/clearance setup when swapping an LSD into an OEM gearbox. Improper shimming can lead to:

• unwanted vibration or noise,

• premature preload wear in the diff,

• or unusual driveline feel.