maybe this topic has been brought up couple times, and after searches.. i still don't really get the difference.

i want to install LSD on my base 04 Z, and i just want to know what does a LSD actually do, is it similar with traction control? does LSD work like traction control? if say i am driving and i start losing control, will LSD bring my car back to prevent accidents? because i know my car is base.. and without VDC and TCS, it gets to me sometimes wondering if it is safe for me to do certain things because i know without the VDC and TCS, i have nothing to protect me when i am slipping.

SO, i'm wondering if i install LSD, would it help me with traction like the TCS?

 

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

 

the TCS and the LSD are nothing alike. the traction control works by sensing a disturbance in the traction, then cuts engine power to keep the car under control. but that is not a fail safe and in some cases, will not save you from a wreck. for the LSD, read the link in the post above

 

just do some research, they are nothing alike but can both help with traction.

 

sweet guys, thanks.
as long as it helps with traction

 

Better tires will help with traction too, big time...

LSD makes sure both wheels spin at the same speed, without one only one wheel will spin or significantly more power will go to one wheel compared to the other when in a tight turn and accelerating hard.

Traction control is simply a computer program that cuts power to the drive wheels when it detects they are going faster than the non-drive wheels, in our case the fronts. TSC only applies during accleration.

But if your having problems putting power down and find your rear end squirming around, you need better tires and a light right foot.

 

...and bigger, since I jumped up to 245F/275R from 225F/245R, wow.

There are a few other situations where TCS kicks in, such as downshifting (rear wheel speed briefly different than front), so don't be surprised if the SLIP indicator light comes on when you're not accelerating. Sideways movement at steady speed, or sensing different rear wheel speeds relative to front will also kick it in sometimes.

Any problem with your ABS or EBD system (in my case, of all things, a broken wire than goes to the rear brake top light) can leave you looking at all the lights on - SLIP, VDC, etc. ABS/EBD refused to work just because of the one stupid wire that tripped a condition somewhere, but all it did was light up the wing brake light. Sometimes you'll aslo get failure lights on the TCS if you're driving a little insane (4W drifting, fishtail, donuts, etc.), but it goes away if you just restart the engine...so I hear, I wouldn't know from firsthand experience, really.

All I can say is thank gawd I have a switch that turns off the VDC/TCS. When it's really slick, the traction control aids are overall a help. When the surface just varies such as sand on the shoulder, etc. it can be a real PITA.

Not too many people have this issue, but also turn it off if you're trying to start the car moving forward in snow, it just cuts power and puts on the brakes, preventing you from spinning your way down to traction. I drive my G Coupe four seasons including snow and ice here in NE, you really get to know the VDC/TCS functions after 4 Winter's use. Kicking in while slowing down is really annoying and actually causes you to lose traction at times on snow and ice.

FSM: I love the first bullet point, lol!

TCS Function AFS001KY


The wheel spin of the drive wheels is detected by the VDC/TCS/ABS control unit from the wheel speed signals from the four wheels, so if wheel spin occurs, the rear wheel right and left brake fluid pressure control and engine fuel cut are conducted while the throttle value is restricted to reduce the engine torque and decrease the amount of wheel spin. In addition, the degree the throttle is opened is controlled to achieve the optimum engine torque.


Depending on road circumstances, the driver may have a sluggish feel. This is normal, because the optimum traction has the highest priority under TCS operation.


TCS may be activated any time the vehicle suddenly accelerates, suddenly downshifts, or is driven on a road with a varying surface friction coefficient.


During TCS operation, it informs a driver of system operation by flashing SLIP indicator lamp.

 

After getting my first RWD car w/ 250+HP, I noticed the slippage at times. I got stock 225/245 passenger tires that the seller put on and boy do they slip, scared me a couple of times too. I do plan on going 245/275 once I can afford some nice 19"s.

Back to topic: I have the general idea of how differentials work, but would adding the nismo lsd help prevent sliding if i accelerated on s-turns, or let me slide more?

 

this is all very interesting to talk about, all the cars ive ever owned have been sporty, up to 250+ 6 speed tl, but all were fwd. the z is my first rwd, and sometimes i find myself suprised on how easy it is to loose traction on a hot dry day in a corner, its more than i expected. worse than that the stock tires dont squeal so i dont know ive lost traction until the obvious fishtail. either way its lead me to wish i had some sort of traction improvement, but it was either a 06 enthusiast or 07 base, and im convinced i made the right choice with the 07 base. all of this has made me wonder what would be best, i know i can install an lsd, but is the factory installed traction control really needed? after reading some of the above it sounds like i would be always turning it off anyways so i guess ill start saving up for a quaife?

 

Fatter tires man... big help. Stock tires are crap.

If you are starting to spin out in corners maybe you should go find an empty parking lot and practice some small low speed drifts. With the Z's torque its really easy to lose grip in mid-corner if you put your foot down. I do it all the time, but on purpose... its good fun once you know how to do it, but scary as sheet when you aren't expecting it.

I'm running 245F and 275's rear and do pretty good for traction. I really only set them loose when I want to. Going to be going to 275s front and 305's rear soon for next summer.