I have a 04 z enthusiast with about 85k on it. And anytime i try drifting it seems to act like a open diff. I dont know when the diff oil was last changed and dont know if that would affect it. But anyways anyone have any idea??

THanks!

 

changing the diff oil will help. also the smoothness of the asphalt u r drifting on, and ur tire size and condition. u can add shims in ur diff to drift better like a 1.5 way LSD.

 

Changing the oil will do nothing. The stock vlsd is garbage, after alot of use it does turn into an open diff ha.

Save up. Buy a real LSD

 

Lol ya i was thinking about shimming it actually. And im on 245/40/18 18x10 all around. So a lil stretch

 

Yea thats what i was thinking lol. I wish i could just get a welded like i have in my s13. But id rather not for my dd lol

 

You need to buy a real diff , in perfect condition the VLSD has 30% lock

 

wooooow..... thats some ****

 

i dont know how much lock it has, it's decent for driftin around

 

I still give you 5 style points.

 

Just how much does a good OE type replacement cost? or rather, one that has some actual LSD.

By that, i mean, not a really expensive one

 

For normal street driving, the VLSD isn't as bad as most guys here describe. There's certainly a safety factor purposely built-in by Nissan, to keep boy racer types from oversteering themselves into a tree. Same with OEM sway bars, for example - understeer is a lot safer, and easier to correct by just backing off the throttle and cranking in more steering.

Having said all that, with my '08 base I progressed from open-diff, to VLSD (paid only $250 for the whole low-mileage pumpkin), and finally put a Quaife ($1k) in the original open-diff pumpkin. If you've got the budget, aftermarket is the best, but a cheap VLSD is still a nice upgrade on a base car, and swapping pumpkins is a simple 2-hour driveway job.

 

The base model only has an open diff?

I assume you just bought a second hand pumpkin from another owner? Certainly can't justify or spend a grand on another diff, no matter how good it is.

I have a ~70k mile Touring, so should already have the LSD, but i feel it's unlikely to be still operating as one these days. Can you replace the unit inside?

 

The base cars all have the open diff. When buying an aftermarket diff you need to know what you're replacing so you can order the proper pieces. For example, the Quaife I bought to install in my original oopen-diff pumpkin is a different part number than the one required for an original VLSD pumpkin.

The VLSD is sealed, and filled with a fluid which becomes more viscous as the speed difference between the two wheels increases, thus providing some lock between them. I've heard the fluid loses some of that property with age, but haven't ever experienced it, and the fluid can't be replaced (not to be confused with the gear oil, which can be drained and replaced).

 

Whilst i know the fluid can't be replaced inside the VLSD, i wonder if that's a replaceable item inside the diff.

 

Yes you car order and replace the VLSD , I think it's over $400 , not including labor. Not worth it.

 

I would have guessed much higher than that for a new VLSD from Nissan, but still agree it's not worth it. Added to that would be labor to swap the diff units inside your pumpkin, which does require special tools, and has to be done with the pumpkin off the car.

If budget is limited, keep your eyes open for a nice used one from a low-mileage car. I was happy to pay $250 for the used VLSD pumpkin I found, but wouldn't have paid too much more (and consider the labor, too, if you can't swap parts yourself).

 

Nissan only?

Yeah, i'd do this myself, but if it requires special tools for the VLSD, then a second hand one would be better.

 

The special tools are required to adjust the meshing of the gears, done with shims/washers. Not really worth owning unless you're changing a lot of diffs. Swapping the whole pumpkin just requires some sockets, ratchets, and an extension or two. The VLSD is a Nissan factory part:

http://www.courtesyparts.com/38420m-...t-p-15567.html

 

Ouch , I thought it was cheaper. You can get a real diff for just a little more. OS Giken FTW

 

Erk, yeah, not cheap.

Though, i think high 800's is the cheapest i've seen 3rd party diffs.