I installed the subject unit last week and competed on Sunday. I'm impressed with the variety of possible settings and the ease of changing the percentage of slip. And, of course, it works quite well -- maybe too well. I had it set in the 'mid' position initially, and all the understeer I have worked so studiously to eliminate, has returned in force. So, now I've reset it to what is apparently the 'low' setting, but then these questions arose:

First, there isn't the 180-degree range of adjustment the intructions say there is -- it's more like 120. Next, I can feel 3 detents as I rotate the adjuster. Are those supposed to represent the three positions referenced (lo, mid, high)? Finally, what do the torque-values in the instructions pertain to -- the force preset on the clutch arangement at each of the three adjustment positions?

Help and opinions appreciated.

 

^^ I have the same question.

 

the 3 notches do differentiate between lo - mid - high...

which torque values are you reffering to?

 

did you install the nismo LSD yourself? was it difficult, scale 1 to 10?

 

Speaking of the NISMO LSD, I absolutely love it! I have it paired with the 350EVO.COM 3.9 Final Drive and … Yahoo!

The only thing that disappoints me is the noise that it occurs during slow driving, especially if I am turning, like backing out of a parking spot. It is a grinding / popping noise. I have been told that this is normal. Is it? Could it be related to the new final drive? What do you guys think?

 

That is normal. Jason did a video of Jeff's Z with the Nismo LSD and the clicking /chirping was present.

 

The noise is 100% normal... Thats the price you pay for having a clutch type LSD... And as per Jason, those 3 nothches are low, mid, and high.... The low setting is 60% lockup, the mid is 80% and the high is 100% lockup... If this is your daily driver, I would reccomend keeping it on 60....
Jason
MRC Motorsports

 

I guess I will have to learn to live with it. It’s a small price to pay for the excellent performance, thanks Guys. The performance combo of the 350EVO 3.9 Final Drive and the NISMO LSD is fantastic! It is most noticeable on the track as I accelerate out of the corners. Now… I just need to figure out which F/I package to go with…

 

APS of course
But I might be a little bias... !!! The APS TT is great with my Nismo LSD....

 

Hmmm, I have a question for those with the Nismo that mention having the normal low speed (parking lot speeds I guess) noise. Do all of you have a story to tell regarding doing a proper break in process?

http://www.kaazusa.com/inc/content_faq.asp#whychat

http://www.kaazusa.com/inc/content_faq.asp#fixchat

 

I wish some one told me this BEFORE going to the race track! I have about 300 miles or more of track time on the LSD and most likely 1000 road miles. Damn.

 

This is probably a stupid question, but how hard is it to change from lo-mid-high settings if you have to on the Nismo LSD? and how do you change the settings?

And correct me if Im wrong, the high setting probably best for drag racing, and low best for daily street driving?

 

interesting though that only Kazz recommends that break in. I asked Cusco on my own and was told- no break in needed....install it and hammer it

 

I did figures 8's with my car for about 15 mins straight to break in my LSD and then soem staright line driving with hard rights and then lefts... Then After a few hundred miles dumped the metal infested fliud and replaced with Redline... Yes I have the low speed clunking and yes it is normal!!

 

Having had more than 10 clutch type differentials in various cars with various results, these would be my recommendations:

*Always perform break-in and drain fluid before driving regularly.*

*DO NOT use synthetic gear oils (will ruin LSD)*

*Change oil after every event, or every few thousand street miles.*

*noise is common with all clutch LSD's but will differ depending on break-in, driving style, gear oil used, and LSD setting.*


Also there seems to be misunderstanding about the adjustability of the Nismo unit. There is no way to adjust the actual lock % without disassemblying the unit, the external adjustment is only adjusting "initial response" of the unit. The low setting will not grab as fast as the high setting, but actual % lock will be the same. Hope that clears up some confusion.

 

Thanks for the tips. I guess there is more than one "price tag" for performance.

 

I did the figure 8s to break mine in. It usually gives one good clunk in the moring when it's cold, then it's ok. I always makes noise in reverse.

What kind of oil are people using in their nismo diffs? I've never heard not to use synthetics. Isn't the nismo fluid that comes with it synthetic?

The instructions in the nismo manual doesn't say anything about the figure 8's, just not to drive over a certain speed and not to do any abrupt maneuvers.

 

Nismo fluid is dinosaur with additives and very pricey. KAAZ fluid is also very good and a bit cheaper. Pretty much any good quality gear oil without too much metal particulate additives will do, it will most likely be changed before any real breakdown occurs.

Our diffs get VERY hot, even with the finned aluminum cover. Some people run diff oil coolers on race cars with good success. I noticed ARC have a nice looking kit with pump and all (I'm sure it costs an arm an a leg just like all there stuff).

 

I have usaed synthetic in several of my own clutch type LSD's - there is nothing inherently wrong unless the manufacturer specifically recommends against it. I have also never changed it at such insanely low mileage intervals - same intervals as I normally do (around 30k between changes).

Adam

 

I just checked the nismo bottle. It is synthetic.
I'll be refilling with redline or mobile1 after my track day tomorrow.