hi all, i'm somewhat new to posting on this board. anyway, i'm currently running an open differential on my g35 sedan 5 a/t. i've decided the nismo gt lsd is a good choice.

my question is, are there any benefits i'd see of choosing a cusco rs unit or kaaz 1.5 way over the nismo? the units appear to do the same thing, but i'm not sure of differences in terms of engagement, reliability, build quality, and how much power they can handle. i eventually plan to TT on a built motor.

can anyone tell me if i need any extra parts to install a nismo gt lsd on my currently open-diff g35?

also... a side question, i'm considering a rb25 or rb26 sway as an alternative to TTing the VQ. would such a motor swap use my differential now, or the differential out of the r34? (i know the driveshaft would be custom)

thanks. - phil

 

Cusco is a great LSD 1.5 R I dont have a clue how the other clutch LSDs do but I can tell you I race hard and the Cusco can handle up to 1000 HP it works perfect in every way and I wouldnt dare use another;I couldnt ask for more.

 

To install a LSD on a 5AT you will need the ring and pinion off a 6MT... This will change your gearing... you will shift into 2nd at a lower MPH then your current...

This is a great set up... the NISMO LSD is the most complete LSD available for the Z33 / CV35 / V35 out there...

I have all the parts needed to do the 6mt rear end swap...

even if you wanted to I could set you up with a stock viscus unit and 6mt final drive gears...

 

Hi Phil, heres the deal.

Nismo LSD comes with all the required parts to let you do a open diff to a clutch type LSD conversion. HOWEVER, since your car is a automatic, your ring and pinion CANNOT be swapped onto the Nismo LSD, you have to find a used MT ring and pinion gearset or buy it new (@$500 new, a lot less used).

IMPORTANT!,....When considering any other brand of LSD other then the Nismo, you do have to buy extra parts as unlike the Nismo LSD, you don't get them with the purchase. Here is a list of those parts, part numbers and prices.

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
2 Differential Bearing assemblies $48.00 each, also ment for a limited slip equipped diff part number 38440-0C000
Total cost of the above parts is $400 WITHOUT THESE PARTS OPEN DIFF CONVERSIONS ARE NOT POSSIBLE. OPEN DIFF CONVERSIONS ARE NOT VERY WELL UNDERSTOOD EVEN BY NISSAN DEALERS WITH HIGH VOLUME SERVICE DEPARTMENTS. Again, the Nismo LSD includes those parts.


Cusco does make the MZ and RS LSD's in a automatic transmission version, so with either you would not need to buy a MT ring and pinion gear set in order to do the conversion. It is my understanding that Cusco does not market the automatic LSD versions anywere except north america, could be wrong though.

After a phone call I just made, here are the various part numbers for Cusco RS AT LSD's (I'll give you what I got, the actual part number might just be what starts with "LSD" or it could be the entire number I'll show)
1/2 way-CUS-LSD251F
2/1 way-CUS-LSD251F2
1.5/2 way-CUS-LSD251L15
2/1.5 way-CUS-LSD251L2

The Cusco MZ is also offered in a AT version, their is reason to believe that the MZ is the same diff as the Nismo (of course Cusco is not going to give you all the parts like Nismo does).


Nismo LSD/Cusco MZ vs Kazz. I can't say I've really been able to dig deep enough to tell you how the Kazz is different, I believe the key difference is in how your adjust the locking rate. I'm pretty sure the Kazz has to be disassembled while the Nismo/Cusco MZ can adjust much more easily, perhaps Jason can comment on how to adjust the Nismo.

Cusco RS. The main selling point and reason to pay a price premium for the RS is in the way it uses springs to control the engagement of it's clutches. Here's a cut and paste. The Type RS utilizes coil springs located between the pressure rings to develop initial torque and features full engagement during acceleration and partially under deceleration. The use of coil springs rather than cone plates help promote faster, smoother engagement, along with higher durability.

So, the real cost of what diff you go with will depend on how much it cost's to you source a MT ring and pinion gearset or if you pick one of the Cusco's already designed for use in a AT car. You should be able to locate the Cusco RS for $1005.43 and of course performance Nissan sells the Nismo LSD for $850

IMO, your on the right track doing a clutch type, I'm not thrilled with my oem VLSD conversion, one of these day's I'd like to go to the Cusco RS or Nismo or a carbon clutch unit.

 

Oh, something else. About finding a dealer to do the install.

Make absolutely certain that the dealer you use has a person on staff that works on diffs and can properly do the work. I went through 3 dealers before I found one that had someone. It is very important that not just anyone do the shimming and alignment. Pin this down before you make the appointment. Also, you will HAVE to explain in detail all the parts going out, then back in. Not a single dealer I talked to knew what it took to truely do the work, once I left they sure did.

 

the springs is the single biggest reason I chose the Cusco one for my own car. My other Z uses a NISMO clutch type LSD but it is not spring loaded (ala the Cusco MZ) - while it grips great, it is considerably noiser and a bit more abrupt to engage. The RS I use in the 350Z is very smooth.

The Cusco one is adjustable for slip as well as lockup - slip is done via the adjustment of the inner 'cam" - this is done externally with an allen head wrench. The level of slip is governed by the orientation of the inner disks - this needs to be done by disassembling the diff.

I actually have no info regarding an AT specific version - in fact those are the part numbers we generally keep in stock (though we only keep the 1.5/2 way on hand. The 1 way I have never been asked to carry. The only difference between the 1.5/2 way and the 2/1.5 way is how they come from the Cusco factory. I'll double check those part #'s and post tomorrow

Adam

 

thanks for the good info guys.

z1. if you can find an a/t cusco rs unit, definitely PM me a price. installation of this would still require two stub axles and other associates parts, correct?

if i'm planning on attempting a manual tranny swap, or engine swap (rb25), the new driveshaft would still use my current differential correct?

i believe my final drive is around 3.39 or something (too lazy to look it up). i know installing a viscous LSD from a 350z will change my final drive to 3.54 or something, will installing the 6 m/t ring/pinion alter my final drive? the 350evo 3.9 is not compatible with a/ts correct?

will installing the ring/pinion set to accomodate the nismo lsd make a 6m/t tranny swap easier?

thanks guys. sorry to leech so much info, differentials are a real new area for me.

-phil

 

Oh cracker, Adam your right I transposed the numbers wrong, I did list the MT numbers SORRY!.

Here's the correct AT numbers.
1/2 way-CUS-LSD252F
2/1 way-CUS-LSD252F2
1.5/2 way-CUS-LSD252L15
2/1.5 way-CUS-LSD252L2

 

I'll get this worked out tomorrow and PM you