Hi Everyone, just seeking advice here on whether I should get new wheels or LSD?
I have a 2006 base Z right now with no diff and stock wheels. The options I'm debating are to get fatter (better looking) wheels or to get the Quaife LSD. I've heard from some people that once you get fatter wheels, the need for LSD is reduced. Agree? Will I be able to accelerate out of corners better with fatter better gripping tires? Which mod will result in a more noticeable performance gain?
I'm estimating that the wheels will only cost me around $500-800 since I plan on selling my oem wheels and needed to get a new set of tires anyways. The Quaife LSD will cost me around $1800 including install. I don't want any other LSD because I can't stand weird noises.
With new wheels, I get better performance AND better looks. With LSD, I only get better performance, but if the performance gain is much more than what I would get with new wheels, then I'd have to consider it.
Opinions? Thanks

 

rims, hands down

 

Get both! I have an 03 Base and first did rims and they really didn't help out. I put 18x10's on the back with 275's and I was hitting worse 60' times than my buddy did with his touring model with bald factory size Ventus tires. I just bought a used VLSD pumpkin from a local shop called Turbo Toys for $475. They'll ship you one for $550. I'm installing the pumpkin myself but if you don't feel comfortable doing the install a shop should charge anywhere from $125-175. Now, you need to research if paying the $1200 more for the Quaife over the VLSD is worth it. I decided no because people are cutting good 60's on the VLSD.

I ran my car with 125 shot at the track and could only cut 1.9 60's on DR's because when you burn out one wheel spins and heats up. That caused the back of the car to sweep out on me at high speeds and I swore I wouldn't run again until I resolved this problem.

Turbo Toys supplies the axle stubs so its a direct bolt it. Then, you could probably sell your open diff. to people who are wanting the Quaife for a direct drop in.

 

For performance get LSD. No tires no size will make up for the lack of LSD

 

how much are axle stubs?

 

Gents...

I am considering getting a 04/05 Z so I am trying to do as much research as possible.

The question I have is why are you guys considering changing your factory LSD? Or is it U.S Z's dont come with LSD?

Many thanks
Nav

 

Carbonetics Carbon LSD ftw!!!

Everyone wants that right now it seems.

 

Just as an FYI, the Porsche Cayman is non-LSD and it hauls *** around a track. Would it be faster with one? Damn right it would...

Unless you track the car I'd say wheels.

 

wheels FTW

 

how much lsd cost

 

A friend of mine has a Z who is selling the stock VLSD and I want to buy it from him ( I have the base) If I just get the axle stubs it will work ok? what are axle stubs?? thanks

 

I wouldn't pay for an OEM VLSD. My car came with one and when I swapped it out for the Nismo unit the difference really exposed how not very good the VLSD is performance wise. I suppose it's better than an open diff but money would be better spent saving up for the mechanical diff.

What kind of performance gains are you looking for? Out of corner traction? I found the benefit of wheels and tires was understeer reduction entering into corners (wider than OEM tires in the front). The Nismo diff allows tighter corners with better torque distribution to the tire with the most traction.

Either way, you're not going to get what you're looking for in a straight this or that evaluation. Ideally you'd want both, just depends on what you can afford first IMO.

 

They are not changing out factory LSD. Base models do not have LSD. If you get an enthusiast model or better, your rear will be a LSD.

 

if you go to the track (both road and drag) get the diff. you wouldn't want to track your big and expensive wheels either.

if you don't plan on ever going to a track get the wheels.

 

Go with the LSD. The 06 wheels look good. The only reason I got wheels first was because I had to replace a tire and curbed one of the OEM wheels. The LSD will have a much better effect than any width wheels/tires you put back there.

 

Thanks for all the replies.

On that Porsche Cayman point, I was actually looking at that myself. They don't have LSD, but the have an Active Braking Differential which I think achieves the same results (probably much better than the VSLD).

What I'm looking for is to enjoy spirited driving around town more. I want to make my car more fun. I feel like I can't really push my car through corners as fast as I would like to and without being concerned about control. My wheels spin like crazy (maybe it's just one of them) when I drive for fun. Does it sound like I need LSD? I'm still gonna go with the Quaife if I do.

 

Well if you currently have a peg leg you definitely can't push 100% around corners... that much is given. Switching from an open differential to a quality LSD will be like night and day... you might even get yourself in trouble. I say get the LSD and keep your old tires for just a bit longer if you can. Have good tires ready for replacements. Have some "fun" with the old tires and the new LSD. Then throw the new tires on and you're officially golden.

 

does anyone know where axle stubs can be bought?

 

If you get a LSD retrain your lead foot. If you are wildly spinning tires with an open diff and drive exactly the same when you change you may be posting one of those " i just spun my Z 5 times and hit a curb, almost hit someone, etc." posts. In a way the open diff works like traction control if you really put your foot down heavy at the wrong time. Be careful And good luck figuring out what to do

 

Thanks, so will the back slide more with an LSD? that sounds fun,, hehe