DDM Project 370Z

M.Bonanni · 06-23-2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravanshaka

Nice, are you going to ask to see the original lsd to see how badly you chewed it up on the track?

I certainly could.

miguez · 06-23-2009, 02:12 PM

It would be great to get some shots of that OEM LSD after the chunk of metal you saw fall out...

M.Bonanni · 06-24-2009, 02:40 PM

UPDATE:

Carbonetic 1.5 Way Carbon LSD is now installed in the car!

Initial impressions are better than expected. I have experience with this diff in my old 350Z race car, however, the race car also had solid differential mounts, no interior, and a loud exhaust so I wasn't quite sure on how much noise it would actually make in the 370Z with full interior, stock cat-back exhaust, and regular diff mounts. The instructions say that the diff will emit the most noise immediately after install and the noise will quiet down as the diff breaks in. Well, I heard no noise at all from in the car right after install. I performed the break in procedure and still no noise! I can also tell you that it is not at all jerky like most other 1.5 way LSDs I have tried. Starting from a stop and tight radius turns were all very smooth. This is an incredibly streetable LSD and I vow that whatever cars I have in the future will have a Carbonetic LSD in it. I haven't pushed the limits of the car on the streets with the diff yet as I haven't changed the oil after break in, but like I said, I have experience with the Carbonetics diff in my old 350Z race car and it performed incredibly so I am not at all worried.

Now onto the fate of the stock VLSD. The good news is that the large chunk of metal I pulled out of the housing when I changed the oil after the first race was not part of the VLSD like I had originally thought. It was a magnet that gets glued to the inside of the housing from Nissan to collect metal bits floating around. The bad news is that the stock VLSD was indeed completely shot and acting as an open diff, however still in tact. I am guessing that the heat generated in the diff housing during the first track day broke down the glue holding the magnet to the housing and thats what caused it to break free. So to offset that, I am going to order a Project Kics magnetic drain plug which will serve the same purpose.

I am relieved that the actual diff didn't have parts breaking off of it, but still concerned with the amount of heat generated back there. From what I understand, the Carbonetic LSD will generate less heat than the stock VLSD, but I am still working on getting a differential cooler kit on the car sooner than later.

travisjb · 06-24-2009, 05:35 PM

+ 1 on Carbonetic... I had more noise initially as a result of running the wrong gear oil... and mine creaks every once in a while now when accelerating from complete stop... but noise is now minimal... break-away on track is progressive and predictable... I suspect the characteristics of this diff will change over time, will be interesting to see how impressions change over time

The diff cooler my shop is working on will be done some time in July... we're taking our time with it, doing it right

M.Bonanni · 06-24-2009, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

The diff cooler my shop is working on will be done some time in July... we're taking our time with it, doing it right

Well hurry up. My next event is August 1st.

travisjb · 06-24-2009, 05:38 PM

Should be plenty of time for your 8/1 event...

By the way, LV is not too far from Miller Motorsports! Let me know if you can make the drive to my 7/11 event and I'll get you in as guest to PCA

M.Bonanni · 06-24-2009, 05:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

Should be plenty of time for your 8/1 event...

By the way, LV is not too far from Miller Motorsports! Let me know if you can make the drive to my 7/11 event and I'll get you in as guest to PCA

I was actually asked to instruct that event lol. I am thinking about it. Its still a 6 hour drive and even though I could drive for free, it would still cost money in travel & lodging. Formula D is also in Vegas that weekend and VegasDrift wants to put my Z on display so I might just do that instead since the Super Lap Qualifier is only a few weeks after that. Although I would love to run MMP one of these days.

travisjb · 06-24-2009, 06:16 PM

I'd offer to put you up at my in-law's place but I'll spare you that ! lol

Hope you can make it - will be my first time at that track so I could use some coaching

M.Bonanni · 06-24-2009, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by travisjb

I'd offer to put you up at my in-law's place but I'll spare you that ! lol

Hope you can make it - will be my first time at that track so I could use some coaching

lol

I will let you know if I end up making it.

M.Bonanni · 06-25-2009, 01:14 PM

SPC front camber arms will be here Monday, Hotchkis Sways come on Tuesday.

Caravanshaka · 06-25-2009, 01:23 PM

yay for front camber adjustment, your track times will thank you

M.Bonanni · 06-25-2009, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravanshaka

yay for front camber adjustment, your track times will thank you

As will my tires.

Caravanshaka · 06-25-2009, 01:28 PM

you mean your tire sponsor?

M.Bonanni · 06-25-2009, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Caravanshaka

you mean your tire sponsor?

Nah they don't care. I still have to pay for the tires, just not as much

. I am sure they still make a bit of profit off of me.

Caravanshaka · 06-25-2009, 01:38 PM

partial sponsorship certainly beats no sponsorship!

06-24-2009, 02:40 PM	#303 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	UPDATE: Carbonetic 1.5 Way Carbon LSD is now installed in the car! Initial impressions are better than expected. I have experience with this diff in my old 350Z race car, however, the race car also had solid differential mounts, no interior, and a loud exhaust so I wasn't quite sure on how much noise it would actually make in the 370Z with full interior, stock cat-back exhaust, and regular diff mounts. The instructions say that the diff will emit the most noise immediately after install and the noise will quiet down as the diff breaks in. Well, I heard no noise at all from in the car right after install. I performed the break in procedure and still no noise! I can also tell you that it is not at all jerky like most other 1.5 way LSDs I have tried. Starting from a stop and tight radius turns were all very smooth. This is an incredibly streetable LSD and I vow that whatever cars I have in the future will have a Carbonetic LSD in it. I haven't pushed the limits of the car on the streets with the diff yet as I haven't changed the oil after break in, but like I said, I have experience with the Carbonetics diff in my old 350Z race car and it performed incredibly so I am not at all worried. Now onto the fate of the stock VLSD. The good news is that the large chunk of metal I pulled out of the housing when I changed the oil after the first race was not part of the VLSD like I had originally thought. It was a magnet that gets glued to the inside of the housing from Nissan to collect metal bits floating around. The bad news is that the stock VLSD was indeed completely shot and acting as an open diff, however still in tact. I am guessing that the heat generated in the diff housing during the first track day broke down the glue holding the magnet to the housing and thats what caused it to break free. So to offset that, I am going to order a Project Kics magnetic drain plug which will serve the same purpose. I am relieved that the actual diff didn't have parts breaking off of it, but still concerned with the amount of heat generated back there. From what I understand, the Carbonetic LSD will generate less heat than the stock VLSD, but I am still working on getting a differential cooler kit on the car sooner than later. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

06-24-2009, 05:35 PM	#304 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	+ 1 on Carbonetic... I had more noise initially as a result of running the wrong gear oil... and mine creaks every once in a while now when accelerating from complete stop... but noise is now minimal... break-away on track is progressive and predictable... I suspect the characteristics of this diff will change over time, will be interesting to see how impressions change over time The diff cooler my shop is working on will be done some time in July... we're taking our time with it, doing it right __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

06-24-2009, 05:38 PM	#306 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	Should be plenty of time for your 8/1 event... By the way, LV is not too far from Miller Motorsports! Let me know if you can make the drive to my 7/11 event and I'll get you in as guest to PCA __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

06-24-2009, 06:16 PM	#308 (permalink)
travisjb A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: GSO Posts: 2,803 Drives: VIR Rep Power: 188	I'd offer to put you up at my in-law's place but I'll spare you that ! lol Hope you can make it - will be my first time at that track so I could use some coaching __________________ 2009 370Z #104 For Sale

06-25-2009, 01:14 PM	#310 (permalink)
M.Bonanni The370Z.com Sponsor Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Las Vegas Posts: 2,575 Drives: Fast Rep Power: 1320	SPC front camber arms will be here Monday, Hotchkis Sways come on Tuesday. __________________ MikeBonanni.com Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MikeBonanni Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MBonanni36 Function > Form

06-23-2009, 02:12 PM	#302 (permalink)
miguez Enthusiast Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Columbus, Ohio Posts: 359 Drives: '04 Cavalier Rep Power: 181	It would be great to get some shots of that OEM LSD after the chunk of metal you saw fall out...

06-25-2009, 01:23 PM	#311 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	yay for front camber adjustment, your track times will thank you

06-25-2009, 01:28 PM	#313 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	you mean your tire sponsor?

06-25-2009, 01:38 PM	#315 (permalink)
Caravanshaka I shake Caravans Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: north Dallas Posts: 9,517 Drives: everyone crazy Rep Power: 42	partial sponsorship certainly beats no sponsorship!