Best LSD for Drift?

[The Almighty JB]

Just asking for opinions on the best LSDs for getting sidewayZ.

[albinobob]

I've done allot of research into this and the nismo seems to be the most versatile. You can set it up to go 1.5 or 2-way out of the box along with a 3 stage initial torque selector that can be changed with out disassembly. Most importantly if you have the base model Z like me this is the cheapest route to go because it comes with the replacement half-shafts you need. If you have one of the other trims you can go with pretty much any brand kaaz makes a good one also and that is a 2-way.

So you got

Nismo 1.5/2-way with replacement half-shafts

Cusco RS which is a fancy Nismo (They buy there’s from nismo and beef them up) are supposed to be a little quieter. No half-shafts with this one.

Kaaz which is a solid company only comes in 2-way (no half-shafts)

Tomei is another reputable company comes in 1.5/2-way (no half-shafts)

-I personally would go with either a nismo or kaaz. Again if you have a base model the nismo makes the most sense. I know a few people that drift with the nismo and have not heard of any problems and I have heard that you can pretty much drop them in yourself no problems. Hope this helps, anybody feel free to correct me if I got anything wrong.

[albinobob]

Oh by the way this is the cheapest I have found the Nismo for.

$900+30 ground shipping no tax.

[AcidJake75]

if you guys find a place that actually has one in stock, I give you props. I thought the Diff was discontinued.

[my350isblack]

i drift with my stock one. it does quite well. look at my drifting album. everything is stock except my spray painted stock wheels

[The Almighty JB]

thanks for info guys. I do have a base 07 Z. I was originally gonna go with the Nismo due to the convenience of it being able to go right into the Z. I just decided to do a little more research just to see what was out there. I've looked Nismo, Kaaz, Tomei, and ATS. I also have seen one on Enjuku Racing's website and they all seem great. Its just hard to decide with all the different opinions out there. It'll either be between Nismo, Tomei, or ATS carbon clutch.

Nismo's pros are the price and convenience

Tomei is a reputable company just like it was stated above by albinobob

I was thinking of going with a carbon lsd because of the increase in durability and performance but the price is significantly more. But hey I only want the best for my car and I intend on doing some serious drifting.

Its looking like carbon lsd

[TWG-350Z]

Based on our (ATS's) data, Carbon LSD provides you a better control with its mild engagement at medium to high speed drifting. For a slow to medium speed drifting, professional drivers seem to prefer our metal LSDs for immediate locking performance.

[Citrus]

Originally Posted by albinobob

...I know a few people that drift with the nismo and have not heard of any problems and I have heard that you can pretty much drop them in yourself no problems...

I posted a DIY of my Nismo 2-way install in the tech section. Its a bit of a pain in the a$$ without air tools and a lift, but quite do-able. I'd recommend inviting a mechanically inclined friend over and purchasing a case of beer before getting started.

[albinobob]

Originally Posted by AcidJake75

if you guys find a place that actually has one in stock, I give you props. I thought the Diff was discontinued.

I confirmed this. The Nismo Diff is discontinued. If I can't find one I'm going with either a Tomei or a Kaaz.

Originally Posted by Citrus

I posted a DIY of my Nismo 2-way install in the tech section. Its a bit of a pain in the a$$ without air tools and a lift, but quite do-able. I'd recommend inviting a mechanically inclined friend over and purchasing a case of beer before getting started.

Yea I caught that one good write up. The plan is to rent some time on a lift with pizza a beer. By the way how do you like the 2-way setup?

[daytona350z]

Originally Posted by albinobob

Cusco RS which is a fancy Nismo (They buy there’s from nismo and beef them up) are supposed to be a little quieter. No half-shafts with this one.

Kaaz which is a solid company only comes in 2-way (no half-shafts)

Tomei is another reputable company comes in 1.5/2-way (no half-shafts)

think you got a couple things backwards:

1. the Nismo unit is PRODUCED by Cusco; not the other way around. Cusco also makes the casings for OS Giken, but OS uses different innards.

2. Cusco RS is NOT a fancy nismo- it is completely different in terms of engagement and driveability.

the RS uses coil springs to preload the clutchpacks thus giving a more gradual and smoother ramp up compared to the Nismo Cone style springs. think of the Nismo as a Cusco MZ type and the RS type as a refined MZ.

3. Kaaz is a great company, but probably the most horrible lsd for any street use.

4. Tomei is a Kaaz unit, and beefed up with different style/more aggressive clutch plates.

Overall, for "drift" u cant really go wrong with any of these. If you can live with the skipping/clunking you can save money and buy a Nismo or Kaaz/Tomei.

If you want driveability on the street, stick to the CUSCO RS type or the OS Giken lsd's. The latter being the most "tuneable" lsd.

[albinobob]

Thanks for setting me strait.

[The Almighty JB]

this is why i love this damn website! lol. i appreciate all the info guys i really do.

[ZRuggernDC]

Carbonetics Carbon LSD... ... .. My current setup is running this. Awesomeness to the fullest.

[BLUby_U]

im glad i found this thread!
so recommend cusco for daily driven and track use?

[daytona350z]

Originally Posted by BLUby_U

im glad i found this thread!
so recommend cusco for daily driven and track use?

well, if you really had the funds, i'd recommend the OS Giken

[BLUby_U]

Originally Posted by daytona350z

well, if you really had the funds, i'd recommend the OS Giken

and if im lacking funds? lol then cusco?

[daytona350z]

Originally Posted by BLUby_U

and if im lacking funds? lol then cusco?

lol, yes, cusco, but make sure you get the rs type.

[JonnyB504]

Well the nismo noise was never a problem untill I became single and started dating other women.... they all ask if my car is supposed to make that noise hahaha

[JDM JUNKIE]

I had a Nismo 2-way last year on my S-15, and a Kaaz 2-way about four years ago on a S-13.... I bought a Kaaz 2-way for my G-35 last week.

For those people thinking you're going to buy an adjustable diff that's 1.5 and 2-way, just remember to change the settings you have to open up the rear end. It's no easier than installing a LSD.

Lastly 2-way is pretty gangster for the street, you'll get a lot of hopping and clunking. Most people will hate it, but I actually kind of like the clunking hahahaha

[USANA Z]

Originally Posted by JDM JUNKIE

For those people thinking you're going to buy an adjustable diff that's 1.5 and 2-way, just remember to change the settings you have to open up the rear end. It's no easier than installing a LSD.

Lastly 2-way is pretty gangster for the street, you'll get a lot of hopping and clunking. Most people will hate it, but I actually kind of like the clunking hahahaha

That's right, changing the adjustable diff isnt like a switch like most people think.

I've had a Tomei on my 350z, Kaaz on my S14, and Cusco on my S13 which were all 2-Way and daily drove on them and can say that the Cusco was the quietest but not THAT much better than the others. I laugh when people think your car is broken from the clunking haha.