Hi guys, I'm still mulling over the decision on getting an 08 Z. I'd like to drive this car as a daily driver for a while, and then use it for doing auto-x and track days.

Is the stock LSD so bad that it's not worth paying a little extra to get the enthusiast?

 

If street use and the occaisional autocross and track day, the stock LSD is OK. If you are competing in a stock autocross class then the stock LSD is mandatory. For serious autocross and track use, an aftermarket LSD is a really good choice.

 

^^ What he said. I've been tracking w/ the VLSD and it wasn't until I really started to push things that I started to notice its weaknesses - its honestly the BEST unit for street and not bad at all for performance, just, not the end-all-be-all.

 

I don't know if they still offer the track package but for me it was the bees knees because:

- Brembo brakes (so I don't have to shell out coin to upgrade to a track-worthy setup)
- vLSD (better than no LSD)
- Cloth interior. Leather belongs in luxury cars (unless its alcantara). Cloth is great on track.

 

No track model anymore.

I'm looking for an enthusiast because it comes with less stuff, so I figure that's less stuff weighing me down at the track. I don't care too much about leather seats, and the "leather" seats in a $30k car are nothing to go crazy about anyway.

I'd get a base model and be done with it, but I think I want the lsd, cruise control, and steering wheel controls for everyday use.

 

I have a Base with a Quaife LSD.

I can tell you from experience, (before I installed the Quaife) open differential is just useless on the track.

I have driven Stock VLSD Z's on the track and it is far better than driving with an open differential. But...still not as good as driving with a Quaife.

BTW: Just in case you are considering the Quaife, it seems to be getting hard to find in stock lately.

 

what lsd is in the o8 nismo z?

 

You bought one and you don't know?

 

actually i dont

 

^Same VLSD as the other Z models.

Base with Quaife here as well. I like it.

If you'll be doing drifting at all, a clutch type LSD will work better since you can set the lock percentage. The quaife is a gear type, no clutch packs and nothing wears out. Zero maintenance besides the usual oil changes on the diff.

If you'll only do the ocassional trackday the VLSD will work fine, but if the bug bites you and you start going more and more, then modding the car for track use, you'll eventually end up swapping it.

 

+1

 

I autoX'd in BSP last yr w/ the OE vLSD (Enthusiast model) and did ok...but this past winter I swapped in a Cusco RS (1.5 way, 80% lock) - wish I had done this mod a lot earlier!

*as mentioned above, an after-market LSD will kick you out of BS and into BSP per SCCA autoX rules....

 

There are other reasons to buy a base model Z to start with:

1. No VDC or TC (at least through 2006).
2. 2006 and later cars have an improved non-Brembo brake setup (previous generation Q45 parts) that work fine on the track with proper pads.
3. The lightest Z to start with.

 

I compete in PBS with my base 2003 350Z. I believe I'm quite competative for a peg-leg.

 

Another vote for a base model here. I put in a nismo lsd with wpc treated plates, so it's nice and smooth with very little noise. The $1k add on to a base model is still less money than the enthusiast with the useless VLSD.

 

How can tech even check if you have an aftermarket vs. stock LSD?

 

they can't....but most aftermarket LSD's will making "pop"ing noises when making slow sharp turns in parking lots.

*IMO it's not worth it to try to do illegal mods for a class...it's fun to win, but I'd rather loose and be honest, than win by cheating.

 

I am not voting for the Base model. Not if you want to autocross in Stock class.

 

Tech at most racing events checks for safety and proper classification only. Sometimes they will do weight checks and possibly spot check a couple specific items. Your fellow competitors are the ones that ensure legality and it would take a jack and 2 minutes to determine if it's time to protest the diff in a 350Z.

 

thanks^^^