I am at a point now where I can utilize an LSD. I am comfortable with the chassis and this open diff is holding me back. First race is August 20 and I fear it's going to readily apparent the diff is my weak link.

NISMO LSD $950 - heard it's loud

OS Giken $2000 (whole build) - ouch on that price but hear it's actually pretty quiet.

I had a 300zx a long time ago with a loud, clutch type LSD and I can't lie, it was super annoying.

Those with the Nismo: what are your thoughts on your purchase? Is it unlivable?

Those with OS Giken - is it actually silent?

 

I had a Quaife and I couldn't tell difference between stock and it.

 

Quaife is a helical type differential. I don't like how unpredictable those become once both tires start spinning. These two units I am considering are clutch type differentials.

 

I still think Helical is the best for a street car, I can't see any clutch type being quiet. The fix for tire slip is a sticky wider tire IMO, I have heard the Nismo is pretty loud too.

 

I have a NISMO GT LSD in my SCCA race Z33. It's not that noisy unless you're making sharp turns and then it's the tires that are noisy.

 

Speaking in generalities, a clutch type limited slip is almost always louder than helical/Torsen/Quaife or open.

But if this is a race application, the noise is inconsequential so who cares? Put that into the perspective of functionality; when setting up the car, the ability to "tune" the differential and the relative ease of adjustability that a clutch based unit offers should hold sway over noise. But agree..... a clutch type diff in a street car is not the way to go. I still remember back in the late-70s, the fast street cars were so damm "gear noisy" that most of us eschewed doing anything to ourt diffs other than opting for the Nissan factory limited slip (very rare and expensive) in our then state of the art R200s. But we paid the price because as far as clutch type diffs went, it was relatively quiet; but still annoying. Then the 80s came along and the advent of the Torsen and Quaifes made EVERYONE sing and dance in the streets! Hahaha. Well, OK, no one did that but you get the idea.