icon1 what LSD did you go with?

mike

 

ATS CARBONETIC

L-CON

 

A word to the wise..a simple search, or asking any Carbonetics vendor on this board familiar with the Z, could have saved you time and surprise.

The ONLY aftermarket diff that is a direct replacement on a base model without needing additional parts is the Quaife and NISMO.

 

We use and sell them all, but to me, there is absolutely no comparison between a Carbonetics, Cusco, and a NISMO. The NISMO diff is loud, far grabbier, not nearly as smooth, and is what I would considered to be more of a track oriented setup, where such driveability issues are not a concern. The Cusco and Carbonetics units are far smoother in their engagement, significantly quieter, much easier to drive, to the point where they are literally dual purpose (street and track). The NISMO one is less money yes, but the trade off, IMHO on a street car, is not worth the extra cost of the others. Define your goals, define your budget and decide from there though.

Once again, if this is a base model car, where you're looking for a marked improvement vs stock but do not want a part that screams 'aftermarket' when parking your car in a parking lot, the Quaife is hands down the one to get.

If you have a weekend track/canyon carver, where you want it to be civil during your work commute, and then really imrpove the stability of the car during spirited runs, the Cusco or Carbonetics is the one to get.

If your car is an all out track car, that sees little street time, then the NISMO is good based on cost alone (though I chose to still opt for the Cusco on my own car as I prefer the engagement of it vs NISMO, as I find the NISMO to be too on/off, where as the Cusco is far more linear and easier to predict and be smooth with)

 

so, this still leaves out us drag guys... im thinking Q would be best? I too dont want the NISMO due to noise.

 

really depends what you mean by drag - an adjustable diff could certainly offer alot of potential benefits for controlling launch as well as when lifting off throttle, particular with slicks

If you're talking your normal fun runs down the track, Quaife would be great for a base owner

 

I purchased my Z with the option to have the Nismo LSD installed from the dealership (This dealership had a reputable head mechanic). It cost me $1400, which included labor. Might have cost less outside, but I wanted it on my car right away. Before this car, I've only had experience with a Viscous Limited Slip Differential in a turbo's 1995 240SX S14. All I can say is what a difference!

I agree that the Nismo LSD is much more track oriented than anything else. When I drive it for a while, and I guess it gets warmed up, it feels a little more linear in slow turns, but you definately hear a gear sound during those slow, sharp turns. When it's a bit cold, and you make slow turns, like in a parking lot, it makes a lot of popping sounds, and sometimes, especially if the asphalt is wet, you can feel and hear the inside tire locking and unlocking along with the popping sounds. LOL, I iamgine most people who don't know must be thinking I broke my car already.

During spirited driving in the twisties, I love it! It actually feels as though I got an entirely different suspension (which I don't have yet). However, as was mentioned earlier, it does have somewhat of an on/off feeling when you're on the throttle compared to when you're off the throttle, and if you're not used to that, you may end up losing control of the car at high speed turns.

I never had the chance to look at it myself, but one of the techs at a speed shop I visited told me good things about the Nismo LSD. He also mentioned that there are 3 external settings on the outside of the diff to change the aggressiveness of the lock of the rear end, but the 1st setting is pretty aggressive already. He mentioned that the 3rd setting was perfect for drag, then you could set it back again before driving home. It just involves getting under the car.

Well, I hope even though I am new to the Z and this forum, I hope my impression of the Nismo LSD helped your decision a bit. Good luck!

 

ok wel i will throw this out here. this is just to really dumb it down here. i have a base 07Z and grredy is about to release there tt package for it. im going to be twin turbo at about 510 wheel horsepower, the oly thing i do is street race with a very very occasional run at the track. what do you recommend i do with that. is that just something where i can get away with vlsd or do you still recommend the Q. money is not an issue for me so i dont care about price. thanks

 

I have an '08 base and just swapped diff's with my friends '03 (vlsd). Everything swapped over exactly the same, didnt take any time at all. And both cars worked flawlessly after. I dont think a vlsd is worth going out and buying if you have a base, but I didnt have to pay for this one, so I took it. Also it gives me the vlsd halfshafts that I need to run my (now cheaper because I have the shafts) cusco diff.

So for the original poster, very easy swap, had both cars back on the ground in a little over an hour.

 

if i get the Quaife LSD what other parts do i need for my 07 base model? is this something that i could on my own? i'm not an expert but i have the knowledge to do an engine swap do you think this is good enough to do it my self?

thanks

 

nothing else needed for install to a base

 

is it something easy that maybe i can do it my self? or should i have someone with diff experience?

 

You dont need the vlsd axle stubs for the nismo? Do they use a different axle stub than both the vlsd and open diff's?

To OP, I'm selling my car right now. It's got a Kaaz 1.5way that I put in. If you want to trade + cash, I'd swap pumpkins with you for cheap. That is, if we can work something out. That way you dont have to go open anything up, just a straight drop in. Clutch plates are stacked to 60%, works great.

 

Here is what I wanna no.. What is the difference performance wise in the aftermarket lsd's?? I really don't know much about lsd's. But my 08 base will be getting one. Does it help put more power down?? I know this sounds incredibly nood. But I wanna no what to go for.. I dd the Z. I do some spirited driving. Alot more with my friends when were all out.. Probly won't see a track.... Would the Q be the best one to go for?? Especially since its a complete drop in?? Anyone wanna help me and probly some others with a newbie bible to lsd's?? Especially these ones for the Z.... Thanks.

 

well i just bought the quaife for my base z 2007 and there was nothing else reqired to put it in but you still have to shim it correcly and all of that so i had my local race shop install mine and i must say i love it for what i do. i cant take the sharpest turn s fast i love it, its like the handling just improved derastically i love it. but if you just usually stick to the streets then i must recommened this.

im not knocking any other type lsd though trust me but just from my eperience i like this one.

 

I do mostly street driving so that's good to hear.. Do you hear it at all??

 

the NISMO includes the output/stub shafts - it includes the same output/stub shafts as comes standard on the cars that come with factory Viscous LSD. So, if its going in a base model, it comes with everything you need. But again, I don't care what anyone says about it "not being bad" - it is in a totally different class driveability wise from any other diff out except the Kaaz (which is very similar internally). It is much harsher to engage and disengage vs the Quaife/Cusco/Carbonetics, but for guys doing more track days than street use, its a good value.

Shady - its really all been discussed tons of times...I hate to be the search police, but spend 10 minutes searching for LSD comparisons, and you'll see tons of info posted about all the versions, with direct input from those of us who have used them all. There are lots of hard core reviews out there, well beyond the "I like it", which doesn't really tell you much. I know I've posted comprehensive explanations of how each one works in various scenarious, so you can just search for each differential name and my screen name and come up with some very good threads that will help you understand the ins and outs of all of them

If you're driving with the local LI crew I'd personally skip the aftermarket differential and invest in a savings account for a traffic lawyer or a high performance driving/accident avoidance school....based on experience, it's something you'll need with most of those guys (the majority of them can't drive to save their lives and are downright dangerous to be driving with)

 

Haha.. Ooo common. Don't be bashin them lol. I keep my distance anyways just incase .. But thanks for the info on what to exactly search for..

 

+1 on the Quaife!

I had the Nismo LSD before this one and I hated it. It popped and clanked like mad. It locked up nice, but that was it - not very streetable at all.

I took that out and installed the Quaife and it was like butter! It "locks" up very nice and you don't know it's there until you need it...and the way I drive, I need it alot

 

how much did it cost the quaffe??and how easy is it to install??