Help Me Chose a Differential

HapaZ

Hey all,
I've got a base 6mt without the sport package so I'm rocking an open rear diff. As fun as it is trying to merge into traffic while turning out of a parking lot *sarcasm* I'm ready to ditch the crap open diff. I'm considering my options and before I pull the trigger on something I'd appreciate some input and/or comments about other brands I could consider (I'm mostly set on a Quaife). I drive 95% on the street with some spirited canyon carving, but I plan on doing a few autocross events this year - mostly for the fun of it... not trying to be the world's best. This is mostly a daily driver so I'm not interested in having a diff that clunks its way around parking lots.

Quaife - $1600 including parts and install
Wavetrac - $2500 (quote from local nissan dealer, but it seems really high)
OS Geiken - $2200 including parts and install (I'm leaning away from this as it doesn't seem like a great solution for a daily driver - more track focused)

Any others I should consider?

osbornsm

So then... you have three styles to choose from, and then you have specific options for each diff as well.

Styles:

• Viscous Type (OEM Crap)
• Torsen Type (Gear Driven)
• Clutch Type (Bind under tight turns)

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Once you've chosen your desired type of Rear Diff (obvioiusly not the OEM viscous type), you must then choose how much lock-up you want across the axle.

Torsen types are fixed
Clutch type diff are adjustable

• 1-way (accel only)
• 1.5-way
• 2-way (accel and braking)

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Once you've decided THAT... you can then ask us which vendor and model seems most approriate for your needs.

Consequently, do you do track days or have other mods?

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Personally, i like the Torsen / Quaife diff. Requires no maintenance and doesn't bind under tight turns, or chatter.

But that's just my opinion, i could be wrong.

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osbornsm

OH, and read this thread... its all the basics for what's necessary for a diff swap.

The Definitive Differential Thread

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TerribleONE

I am running the OSG and am very happy with it.

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Masterbeatty

I love my quaife and I autox and daily it when its not winter. But it was a learning experience for me because of all the supporting parts needed for it coming from a base 6mt like you. I under budgeted when I bought it then payed the price when my diff bushing **** itself after 3 autox days. just look at the sticky thread.

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2011 MB 6MT
Masterbeatty journal

osbornsm

What happened to your diff bushings?!?

Like the OEM ones aren't strong enough to handle the upgraded diff orrrr???

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Felix 808

The OEM ones are liquid/gel filled & fail making a big mess. If you pull the Diff, make sure you upgrade the bushings or you will be pulling the diff again before you know it when they fail. Do it right, not again.

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Semper Fi

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DOOMMONKEY777

I personally am seriously considering Cusco LSD it comes in 1.5-2.0, also there is this Adjustable LSD available in order to change the different type of grab you prefer without removing ur lsd.

here read it for ur self Drive Train Catalog English page CUSCO

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Kids don't do Drugs, Drugs are bad, so let the professional druggies do Drugs for you. 537whp/496lb/tq@8-9PSI 93 octane

binary0x01

I got a quaife installed, with poly bushings, no issues

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Tune (by Seb@SpecialtyZ) -- Upgraded Parts List : When in doubt, use brute force; if it doesn't work, you aren't using enough.

BGTV8

I have a Quaife and KAAZ clutch-pack diffs and unless you are an absolute track-junkie, you'll get tired of the plate diff fairly quickly so the Torsen style Quaife is going to be best for DD and occasional autox.

When the diff is out, replace the OEM bushes which are a real PoS.

With the Quaife, you will need to modify one drive flange - at least one of the vendors on this forum supplies the Quaife centre with the modified drive flange.

Be sure to order the Quaife for the 6MT because there is a different part number for the 7AT transmission.

HapaZ

This is all very helpful! I understand the differences between the types of diffs (gear, clutch, etc) and I've read through the threads here. I havent see. Im really leaning away from a clutch type since this is mostly a DD and I don't want to have to deal with the increased servicing on a clutch type. So if I get a gear driven model are there other options besides the Quaife? And does anyone have a better sense of what a wavetrac runs costwise? I will 100% cough up the extra $250 for the z1 install kit with the upgraded bushings.

370Z JT

Vivid sells the Wavetrac. It was about $1200 shipped. About the same price as the Quaife. I opted for the Quiafe.

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chops

wavetrac. it solves all the problems that the quaife has. traction for days!

HapaZ

$1200 sounds much better than the quote I got from my dealership. Also by solving problems of the quaife are people talking about the loss of traction when one wheel comes off the ground or are there other issues that it solves as well?

osbornsm

Explain... ??

This is news to me. I thought Quaife had the patent on torsen diff.

I shall research and return shortly...

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