Is this an LSD or Open Diff?

[the bee guy]

Can someone identify if this is an LSD or an open diff? It's supposedly an "OEM S14 LSD". But to my understanding, whether JDM or USDM, only came with either VLSD or Open diff (except for the S15's Helical). It doesn't look like a VLSD to my understanding, but I'm a newbie so I might be mistaken.

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff1.jpg

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff2.jpg

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff3.jpg

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff4.jpg

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff5.jpg

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff6.jpg

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff7.jpg

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff8.jpg

http://ilikefunding.com/hieu/diff9.jpg

[ericb382]

looks like a VLSD to me.

[VitaminT]

Doesn't look like a s13 jdm vlsd or a z32na vlsd. Not sure if the s14's are different or what. It does look like a viscous type so maybe so.

[RightWheelDrive]

I thought VLSDs were sealed units?

[sr240mike]

They are sealed, its just out of the pumpkin (housing for newbies). Here's an open diff out of the pumpkin.
http://www.4wdonline.com/A/PiCs37/diff.jpg
PS the pic is not of a 240 diff

[VitaminT]

Well I think he meant that the diff unit would be sealed. The vlsd goo pack is sealed withing the diff unit. That way the diff fluid still lubricates the spider gears and stuff but doesn't interfere with the goo.

If you look in the second to the last picture between all the gears you see the 1/2" wide metal thing in the middle. I think that is a side shot of the goo pack.

[the bee guy]

Kool, thanks guys! I bought it for $100 and wanted to confirm it was an LSD (I had nothing to lose anyways, I have a week to return it so if it was an open diff I'd return it).

[the bee guy]

Ok this is weird. I found a pic of an S14 VLSD on RB-Motoring.com and it looks nothing like my diff...

http://rbmotoring.com/albums/album360/aaa.jpg

Notice how the openings where you can see the gears are just round circles, as opposed to mine which are kind of diamond shaped... ???

[VitaminT]

Yeah I think I said in my first post you have something I haven't seen before. The one you just posted looks like the several s13 vlsd's and one z32na vlsd I have seen. Is there any writing or engravings on your diff?

[big_schaf]

why not just weld your stock open diff then you have 2 way equivlent and you would save yourself 100$

[the bee guy]

Looking at the diff from the top, it has K N 27 D C engraved in it.

Looking at the back it has K N 12 5 4 05 engraved there.

Nothing to actually identify what the heck it is though.


When I stick my finger into where the output shafts go in, if I spin one side forward, the other side spins backwards if thats significant...

Inside the diff there are 6 gears total (1 on the right and 1 on the left for the output shafts, and then 4 smaller gears.

I dont know if this is true with Nissans, but on Hondas, if you look through the diff where the output shafts go, if you can see straight through it, its an LSD. If you see a bar going across the opening (Like in the pic SR240 Mike posted) then it means its an Open diff. Is this true with Nissans too? Thats why I took the 7th picture, to show that you can see straight through it...

Any ideas?

[VitaminT]

BTW I just looked at the pic of the vlsd I just sold and it has more bolts in the ring gear so that diff won't work in an s13/s14. I don't know what it is from or what kind of diff (don't think it's and open diff) but it won't fit. I think the s-chassis diffs use like 10 bolt ring gears.

[VitaminT]

I am not sure dude. I know like you said on the honda diffs they are straight through with lsd and have the bar with the exception of say a quaife honda and then it has a metal plate in the middle with a small hole.

I still say it is a vlsd but I just don't think it will fit your nissan s1?. The 6 gears are correct, 4 spider shafts and then 2 main gears. When you turned the sides do they have other "teeth" down in there that the output shafts hit that you might not have turned? The reason I say that is sometimes when you look in them they have a few sets of splines. Like one for the gear and one thin one for the viscous pack. Just make sure you are turning all of them

Either way I would get my money back and rock on with something else if you can.

[the bee guy]

why not just weld your stock open diff then you have 2 way equivlent and you would save yourself 100$

Because I'd rather not have my car scream everytime I make a normal turn on the streets.


Can anyone confirm what "Vitamin T" says about the number of bolts in the ring gear?

[VitaminT]

You can hit ebay up and do a search for like 240sx lsd and you will see some out of the case for reference.

[!Zar!]

Because I'd rather not have my car scream everytime I make a normal turn on the streets.


Can anyone confirm what "Vitamin T" says about the number of bolts in the ring gear?
You won't have that problem if you purchace quality tires.
Call Shockdrifting Luke up and have him weld a diff for you.

And I hope you shim your diff propperly if you do put that, "mystery diff" in your car.

[S13 Charlie]

BTW I just looked at the pic of the vlsd I just sold and it has more bolts in the ring gear so that diff won't work in an s13/s14. I don't know what it is from or what kind of diff (don't think it's and open diff) but it won't fit. I think the s-chassis diffs use like 10 bolt ring gears.


Ah, that's it, you hit the nail on the head. I knew something didn't look right about this diff unit. It definitely won't work in the S-chassis' R200, because the nissan ring gear has 10 bolts, not 8. For what it's worth, it does look like a viscous LSD of some sort.

good luck

[swwifty]

That looks exactly like my S15 Helical LSD.

[the bee guy]

Nah its definately not a S15 HLSD.

Thanks for all the help guys! I'm just going to return it this weekend. :doh:

[VitaminT]

That looks exactly like my S15 Helical LSD.

Sorry to bump the thread but yeah I agree with Bee. It is not a s15 helical. You may want to check again.