I'll make it short and to the point...

I have an 06 MT Base Z that I'm interested in drifting. I've never had a car with enough horsepower to drift and want to enter the scene finally. I didn't realize until after I bought the base model that it had the wrong differential for drifting. What all is involved with an lsd install, what kind of cost am I looking at?


Disregard, finally found a post with more description: https://my350z.com/forum/engine-driv...-research.html

 

LSD install's are not a DIY project. You need to read the factory service manuel where it details what's involved, the specialized tools and a multitude possible shim choices. If you don't have accuess to a FSM, pm me your email address and I will send the PDF file that covers the process so you can read it.

LSD install cost's run from $400-$500. You'll want to make sure whoever does it, actually know's what they are doing and has the right tools and access to the right shimms (if shims are required, they weren't in my case, but my car had very low miles at the time).

And your NOT thinking about doing a oem VLSD swap, right?

 

I just did a quaife in my 08 base. I took the rear end out myself, drained the oil and removed the rear cover. I took it to the local shop that does all my gear set ups and he removed the diff and pressed the old bearing onto the quaife diff. Charged me 120.00 for the labor Brought it back home and an hour later I had it back in the car. I also got the nismo finned cover while it was apart. No shims were needed for the quaife install, not sure about other diffs. The operation of the quaife is seemless and now I can get sideways at will.

 

How much did the quaife cost?? I've been interested in that one..

 

all that means is that on your car you didn't need shims...other cars might. Unfortuantely there is no rhyme or reason to it...some cars need it, others don't, and you won't know till you go to put it all back together

 

I stand corrected.

 

Perfect, Thank you all. This has been very helpful.

 

If your going to drift the stock LSD probably would of needed to be upgraded anyway so no worries there. You can drop the pumpkin yourself and then just take it to a local shop and have them drop it in for you.

 

Since you have a base model, you'll need the axel stubs from a VLSD.

To my knowledge, the only true complete kit is the Nismo LSD. That comes with new seals, new VLSD axel stubs (also known as output shafts?) , new final drive gear bolts. and some Nismo gear oil. If I remember correctly, the stubs are relatively cheap from Nissan.
You WILL need new final drive gear bolts (the FSM stresses this). Those should run you about $50.

I did my own LSD install at my friend's shop with a lift, 2 friends and a plethora of tools, and it took a little under 2 hours. Be sure you have a copy of the Factory Service Manual and torque down everything appropriately. I'd highly recommend RTV Gray (NOT RED) for sealing the diff.

I didn't have to buy new shims (backlash was within range) but that doesn't mean you won't. My car had really low miles at the time of install (around 10k), so that may be why, but I can't say for certain. If you don't have a lift, tools, or the knowledge I wouldn't recommend attempting this as a DIY.

 

Differential work requires way too many special tools. It would easily cost you as much in tools as it would cost a shop to install it.