So as many of you know, and some of you may be sick of hearing at this point, I picked up an 07 350Z. It has no cruise control buttons so I thought I was sure it was a base model.

I assumed I was getting an open diff out back with full plans to drop in a clutch LSD.

​​​​​I'm not so sure it's an open diff back there. For example, when I drove around a corner and one wheel starts to slip, I will give it more gas (to prevent wheel hop), then instead of that wheel still spinning the other wheel will start to catch, the wheel that was just spinning will catch and I can power through the turn.

No open diff I ever had did that. They would all just spin that single tire until I completely straightenes out the car. If I hold the gas down there no reason why that other wheel will gain traction.

If I drop the clutch from a standstill the car will fishtail both ways. Fishtail one way, then the other, and back and forth until I let off the gas with one wheel spinning, then the other spins, then can't tell which is spinning.

Again, never had an open differential act like that.

So tonight I figure: I'll jack up the rear and spin a tire. If it makes the other wheel turn the opposite way it's open. I'll know once and for. If some lsd is back there it will spin the same way. Bullet proof method. So I jack up the car. But noooooooo, if I spin one wheel THE OTHER WHEEL JUST SITS THERE AND DOES NOTHING! Not a THING! Try spinning the other one and the other just.... sits... there.....

WTH is in this car?

 

delete

 

Hmmm... Wonder if it might be a Quaife (or some other torsen) diff...?

I'm not familiar with how they act with the "drive wheels in the air test," though. I can say that a torsen diff acts like an open diff in motion if both drive wheels aren't on the ground.

 

I felt i was getting long winded so I didn't say I know it's not a helical type. I had a helical type in the bimmer and it would absolutely turn both wheels if one was in the air.
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Does anybody know what a Z with the viscous does when both wheels are in the air and you spin one?

Or what a worn clutch type might do with both wheels in the air?

 

Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD) Standard on all models but Base

Final drive ratio 3.538 Manual, 3.357 automatic

 

Have you run the VIN to see what trim you actually have? That would put an end to a lot of your guessing around...

https://my350z.com/forum/vindecoder.php