The whole situation may be dependent on cost, and what you've got to spend right now. I was in the same boat, not wanting to spend the cash for a Quaife upgrade now in my '08 base/6mt. Just by luck, I ran across a low-mileage VLSD on CL from an '08 enthusiast - the whole pumpkin assembly for $400. Simple 2-hour install in the driveway, and I was good to go. BIG upgrade from the stock open diff, so well worth the $ to me. And, I've still got the stock pumpkin, which I can easily take to a shop to have a Quaife installed in when I've got the $. After another 2-hour swap, I can easily get much of my investment back from the VLSD pumpkin, even if I just sell it as a core.

As mentioned, installing the VLSD into the stock pumpkin, with all the associated parts/labor costs, can't be a great idea, and had I not found a complete VLSD pumpkin, I would have just waited for the Quaife.

 

how does the quaife perform against a Cusco clutch type.... I had a cusco type-RS (I think that is the model) and it held power great!! and was very predictable in the corner etc.... but I did not like the clunking around the corner... ":/"

 

i say you try and find another sucker such as yourself to sell the vlsd to and buy yourself a real lsd

 

I just bought a base 6mt 2008, so in summary if i want an LSD i should go with qualife or buy an entire diff that has the VlSD? "meaning entire diff only the diff not the shafts right?"

Is any difference between an automatic transmission diff and a manual gear, one, i've seen some cars that had no problem doing that swap, is it possible on the Z?

 

as was said above, "upgrading" to a vlsd is useless, buy a real lsd such as a quaife or something

the auto z has a 3.3 final drive, the manual has a 3.5

 

I know nismo comes with input shafts and everything you need for a base model Z but if I wanted to put in the cusco rs, would I need to buy the input shaft seperately? If so, how much does input shaft run around? Whats the best way to go about this? Sorry op, not trying to jack your thread.

 

I have an noob question. I have a base '08. a buddy of mine is gonna sell me his vlsd pumpkin out of his '05 model. Are our rear ends the same? Basically, can I swap mine out and put his in without changing anything else out. Use my same shafts and everything? Thanks!

 

Yes, but if one car is an AT and the other is an MT, the ratios won't be the same.

 

I put a VLSD on my 07 HR Base from another 350Z. Cost me $350 CND for the whole assembly. The swap took me 2 hrs to do. Honestly the hardest part is getting the breather hose back on lol!! The Quaife will obviously be a better option, but the stock VLSD will give u a good bang for the buck, and with the money saved you can buy some 4.08 gears, which I plan to do. I have some videos of it performing....will upload soon!!!

 

Dont waste you money on a VLSD , just order an OS Giken or Quaffe from Z1. I just swapped my 05 base to VLSD and its hadly noticable, now my 03 touring with VLSD got swapped to OS Giken and its night and day.

The only reason the 05 got the upgrade is because it came out of the 03

 

Dont waste you money on a VLSD , just order an OS Giken or Quaffe from Z1. I just swapped my 05 base to VLSD and its hadly noticable, now my 03 touring with VLSD got swapped to OS Giken and its night and day.

I politely disagree with this. If you don't think there is a difference, then slap your base diff back into the car...and while making a turn give it 3/4 throttle... the Z's *** will be all over the place. With the VLSD it will slide with control. Or, try giving it a bit of heavy throttle under the rain in a straight line....same thing. Again, VLSD IS NOT Quaife but if you don't race the car you don't really need a Quaife anyway.

 

^^ Keep trying to justify it.

 

You sorta missed the entire point of his post - he DID swap a base car for a VLSD when his VLSD car got the OS Giken unit. Toss a good set of tires into the mix, and I'm sorry, but the difference between a used VLSD and an open diff are just not all that significant. Terrasmak knows his 2 Z's pretty well...he spends alot of time with 'em.

Is a VLSD better than an open diff? When they are brand new, sure thing, absolutely. However, as the VLSD ages, and is used, even in day to day driving, the limited lockup that it has (28% IIRC when new) diminishes quickly. As this happens, the advantage that it had when new, drops, and eventually, you end up with a diff that is literally no more capable than the open units are. The phenomena that you are describing above can also be cured with a proper alignment and a good set of tires. It really has nothing to do with racing the car or not either. A proper LSD is literally one of the best mods you will ever do to a Z. No ifs, ands or buts about it. I've had 2 different ones in my own car, and wouldn't go back no matter what. But, you can think I might be biased, so ask anyone with a Z who has an aftermarket diff and actually drives the car. It will rank up in their top 3 mods that they have done, without question. It completely transforms the car, gives you a ton more confidence, a ton more control. If someone gives you a VLSD for free, or next to free, and it's as a full pumpkin (takes about an hour and a half to swap) then that's one thing. But to spend the money, and time, swapping an open diff unit for a VLSD is hardly worth any price of admission, as ultimately, the differences are just not all that prominant.

 

Z1 Again what you are saying is what I already have said:

VLSD is not a quaife nor will it perform like one. No argument here.

For 95% of Drivers a VLSD will suffice. As you said, for ppl who really drive their car then they should opt for LSD. Truth is 95% of us don't.

On another note:
My VLSD is from an 03 with 50 000 miles on it. I replaced the fluid and it operates exactly the way it should. I will post my videos up in a couple of days.

Tires and alignment will not correct the one-wheel spin (inside wheel) you get when hammering the throttle in a turn...NO WAY!!!! What happens after is usually pretty scary.

The way I see it:

VSLD + 4.08 gears for someone who daily drives and wants better launch grip and more control on wet roads

Quaife for those who track their car.


Was this directed at me? If it was:
I am not justifying it. I do not need a Quaife because of how I plan to use the car. For me, VLSD is the best fit. What I am trying to do is give an unbiased (I don't sell Quaife, sorry Z1) opinion about the modification.

 

We're not saying the same thing, but that's ok

Changing your diff fluid does nothing for the VLSD itself - it is sealed and the viscous fluid inside is not easily replaceable

 

That's cool I can live with that...now give me an awesome deal on the 4.08 gears!!!!

 

pm me your address

 

What is the price of a quaife for a base 350?