I need to install an LSD in my base model for track/autocross/future drifting use. Has anybody here installed either the cusco, Nismo, or any other lsd in their 350z? If so where did you buy, how much, was the install difficult, etc....

ANy help from anybody would be greatly appreciated...this is about the only mod I feel that my car NEEDS..anything else would just be nice, but I'm tired of just sitting there spinning my inside rear wheel!

 

Being that you have the base model with the open diff, you have
special needs that have to be catered to in order for you to be able to run a LSD. It's not a plug and play affair. The Nismo kit, does come with the things you need, saving you $400 in extra parts you'd have to purchase seperately. Those parts are(I'll list the retail price that you'd normally have to pay if purchased seperately), new stub axles $148 each, part numbers 38220-AR011 and 38220-AR010. 2 Oil Seals $6.50 each ment for a stock limited slip equipped diff part number 38342-P9010 And 2 Differential Bearing assemblies $48.00 each, also ment for a limited slip equipped diff part number 38440-0C000

So when shopping around for a diff, you have to find out if you get the above parts as part of the purchase price. I highly doubt than any other diff besides the Nismo will include those parts.

The Nismo diff sells for $900 and install should run around $400.

To see a picture of all the parts I just mentioned and the Nismo diff itself, go to this thread


https://my350z.com/forum/showthread....threadid=48165

 

NISMO LIMITED SLIP $900.00

This is the direct link to the NISMO LIMITED SLIP. It sure does make a difference. Driving in jeff's car it is really amazing how tight the car is now.

 

I had the Kaaz LSD in my Z. I didn't need new stub axles though. But on a base Z, you need the oil seals, etc. I think installation takes about 4-5 hours, maybe a bit less for an experienced mechanic. I got my Kaaz from Phase2, who mostly caters to S13s and S14s. A kaaz will run you about $800 or so. Figure install to be anywhere from $300-500. If you drive your car a lot, a clutch-type differential may be too much maintenance... do a search and you'll find a lot of information on differentials.

 

I got the NIsmo and it is by far the best bang for the buck, especially since its built by Cusco.....Jeffs deal is a great deal... and it comes with everything you need including the Synthetic oil...

 

Dude that stuff is bad for you... it'll fry your brain.

 

I tried using your experience as the model for the swap, however the reality of it all is this. Your install shop did one of three things. Either the Kazz comes with the different stub axles, which I doubt. Or they sent the stock stub axles out to be machined, which is next to impossible* to do, let alone come in cheaper than just buying the right parts to begine with and would be a ticking time bomb reliability wise. Or the shop hid the cost of buying the right axles in total labor costs. Which given the amount of labor chages you had, makes total sense. It is 100% impossible to convert a base non LSD diff to LSD without changing the stub axles. Stock non LSDstub axles are equal length, LSD stub axles has one longer and the other shorter and the areas that are splined/smooth are totally different than the non LSD stub axles. I spent the money on new axles because I had to, no other solution on a base car.

*One would have to weld extra length on and you'd have to cut down the other stub axle, then they'd both have to change their spline pattern, pretty much impossible.

 

Nah, I definitely didn't need any new stub axles. They definitely did not build the cost of any parts they needed to get into the labor cost, because it would mean then labor for them was $495 - (148*2) = 199? Plus, why would they tell me they needed the oil seal, etc., which only cost $80 or so total (and bill me for it), and then decide not to tell me they needed new stub axles? They're an honest, high-end, reputable shop, and there would be no need for them for have done that. My guess is for whatever reason you do not need new stub axles with the Kaaz differential, but you do with the NISMO LSD? Or there are some other differences between the G35 sedan transmission and the 350Z?

 

lol, exactly the same thing i was thinking when i first read the title of this post.