Which Diff?

Timmer1978 · 10-01-2009, 10:25 AM

Newb question....

"Spirited Street Driving" ...That's code for peeling out at street lights right? I bought the non-sport package touring model and I've been thinking about the differential quite a bit. I guess I'm just not sure how much difference there would be versus the stock open diff.
TBH I'm having difficulty deciding what should take priority when it comes to aftermarket parts, but that's an entirely different topic of its own.

Quote:

Originally Posted by schrute

I've read what I could find here about Diff's but I'm still undecided on which one to get.

With winter coming, I want to get a LSD installed soon. The Z is my only car so on all but the worst winter days I'll be driving (will carpool with the wife in her SUV on really bad days). Yes I have winter tires ready to go.

So which Diff do you recommend for the following priorities (in order):

Quality
Price
Durability

I listed durability last as I don't plan on tracking the car much if at all. Mostly I want a LSD for improved winter traction and improved traction for spirited street driving.

The Carbonetic looks good but I'm not sure I need to spend that much.

Recommendations? Thanks in advance.

Edited to add: I don't have the sport package so > open diff. Not something I want to rely on this winter.

Z1Performance · 10-01-2009, 06:41 PM

All I can say is there is a 100% night and day difference between a Z with an open diff and one with a properly setup aftermarket LSD. To date, with all the work I have done to my car, I still think the diff is my favorite thing. I never peel out from stop signs - but I do enjoy backroads

Timmer1978 · 10-01-2009, 11:19 PM

Z1, do you know if any of those diff's you mentioned do not require the side shaft set from Nissan to make it fit? I thought it was easier putting an aftermarket diff in with the non-sports package z's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DDMotorsports

If you do not have the factory LSD then you will need the side shaft set from Nissan for the factory LSD to make it fit. ...."

Z1Performance · 10-02-2009, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmer1978

Z1, do you know if any of those diff's you mentioned do not require the side shaft set from Nissan to make it fit? I thought it was easier putting an aftermarket diff in with the non-sports package z's.

I have not spent any time yet researching the varients of the 370z units - still learning

ROLLingKING · 01-30-2011, 09:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z1Performance

All I can say is there is a 100% night and day difference between a Z with an open diff and one with a properly setup aftermarket LSD. To date, with all the work I have done to my car, I still think the diff is my favorite thing. I never peel out from stop signs - but I do enjoy backroads

exactly..diff, suspension and tires are the 3 things that are really important to me. All the other stuff anyone can do blind folded. And of course engine upgrades are the very close second.
Basically read as many forums as u can or reviews as you can. and even look up videos before you invest in stuff. u can find a lot under video comments or just by hearing and seeing the part in actual use

travisjb · 10-01-2009, 11:46 PM

I'm selling my stock sport model LSD if you want to try that... $150 plus ship

TravisJB 370Z Race Car Part Out! Interior, Seats, Wheels and Tires, etc

B1nks · 10-03-2009, 08:36 AM

So is it not safe to assume the 350 units are usable on the 370 ? I have been looking at OS Giken and Quaife but they don't have 370 options, only 350.

travisjb · 10-03-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B1nks

So is it not safe to assume the 350 units are usable on the 370 ? I have been looking at OS Giken and Quaife but they don't have 370 options, only 350.

pretty sure my carbonetic is same model for 350/370... mike at ddm would know for certain

Z1Performance · 10-03-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

pretty sure my carbonetic is same model for 350/370... mike at ddm would know for certain

yep carbonetics is too

I suspect the Quaife is as well, but I've learned not to take such things for granted....it will take someone willing to take a chance on it to verify

Valentino - good stuff, glad it worked out! I had spoken to OS the other day and they weren't 100%. Sounds like you had to do just what everyone else does when putting it into a stock VLSD equipped Z, so that makes it easy

For those interested, we have the OS's on the shelf

Z1Performance · 10-03-2009, 10:57 AM

the Cusco is the same, as for the others, I cannot say at this time

JoeD · 10-03-2009, 02:34 PM

Appreciate your input, Z1.

Any thoughts on the Kaaz unit?

Z1Performance · 10-03-2009, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoeD

Appreciate your input, Z1.

Any thoughts on the Kaaz unit?

they make nice stuff, but I'm not a drift guy, so it's not my choice. It's also quite loud/grabby.

import111 · 10-03-2009, 03:18 PM

Kaaz only makes 2 way diffs for the 350/370Z. If you are into drifting that would be good but not for road racing/HPDE type stuff.

Valentino · 10-03-2009, 05:14 PM

OS Giken fits. just installed one. the shop test drove it and no issue. Need to change a shaft (370z SPK comes one long and the other short). Changed the long shaft with a short one, replace some bearing. Nismo diff cover also fits. I'll probably write something about what i installed in my car. After i get it, and test drive it.

schrute · 10-05-2009, 08:57 PM

Good info - thanks for all the replies.

I'm leaning toward the Quaife but it would be nice to have confirmation that it will fit before ordering. Has anyone on the forum put this one in a Z34 yet?

10-01-2009, 06:41 PM	#2 (permalink)
Z1Performance Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. James, NY Posts: 237 Drives: 350Z Rep Power: 16	All I can say is there is a 100% night and day difference between a Z with an open diff and one with a properly setup aftermarket LSD. To date, with all the work I have done to my car, I still think the diff is my favorite thing. I never peel out from stop signs - but I do enjoy backroads ortiz73ca, PJMilton and frozenwaffles like this.

10-01-2009, 11:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 189	I'm selling my stock sport model LSD if you want to try that... $150 plus ship TravisJB 370Z Race Car Part Out! Interior, Seats, Wheels and Tires, etc __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

10-05-2009, 08:57 PM	#15 (permalink)
schrute Track Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: utah Posts: 781 Drives: my z every day Rep Power: 17	Good info - thanks for all the replies. I'm leaning toward the Quaife but it would be nice to have confirmation that it will fit before ordering. Has anyone on the forum put this one in a Z34 yet? __________________ my journal \| 2009 370z touring \| 6mt \| platinum graphite \| my album second skin \| mr works \| fast intentions \| ssr \| eibach \| hotchkis \| spc \| toyo \| bluebatmobile \| v-led \| jwt \| ventureshield \| tinted tails

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10-03-2009, 08:36 AM	#7 (permalink)
B1nks Track Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 721 Drives: 2009 370Z Base 6MT Rep Power: 507	So is it not safe to assume the 350 units are usable on the 370 ? I have been looking at OS Giken and Quaife but they don't have 370 options, only 350.

10-03-2009, 10:57 AM	#10 (permalink)
Z1Performance Base Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. James, NY Posts: 237 Drives: 350Z Rep Power: 16	the Cusco is the same, as for the others, I cannot say at this time

10-03-2009, 02:34 PM	#11 (permalink)
JoeD Banned Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: CA Posts: 495 Drives: Z Rep Power: 0	Appreciate your input, Z1. Any thoughts on the Kaaz unit?

10-03-2009, 03:18 PM	#13 (permalink)
import111 Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tucson, AZ. Posts: 622 Drives: 09 Nissan 370Z Rep Power: 192	Kaaz only makes 2 way diffs for the 350/370Z. If you are into drifting that would be good but not for road racing/HPDE type stuff.

10-03-2009, 05:14 PM	#14 (permalink)
Valentino Enthusiast Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: RaceTrack Posts: 349 Drives: SOLD 09,370z,M6 Rep Power: 306	OS Giken fits. just installed one. the shop test drove it and no issue. Need to change a shaft (370z SPK comes one long and the other short). Changed the long shaft with a short one, replace some bearing. Nismo diff cover also fits. I'll probably write something about what i installed in my car. After i get it, and test drive it.