Rear diff debate

[colombianbryan]

Im looking to get rid of my boring one way diff soon and i know that there are plenty to chose from. There are aftermarket ones but i heard they are noisy and are really expensive. I could weld it also or use them from a j30 or r200v. I know that there are more but im not sure what they are. This is just a simple thread to hopefully get some insight on which one you guys have used and which is they best and most reliable without having to do any other mods to make them fit. :D

[codyace]

146 posts in, you can search this stuff. Look up VLSD, as it seems you're looking for cheap cheap cheap

[colombianbryan]

i know that they are out there but every time i look its based on one and not a couple at a time. and not really cheap i dont mind spending extra if i have to

[lflkajfj12123]

Save up for the expensive stuff. I've learned my lesson. It SHOULD be the first thing you buy for the car.

[zooopreme]

Save up for the expensive stuff. I've learned my lesson. It SHOULD be the first thing you buy for the car.

I can second this.

Go with a 1,5 way, the lock isn't as bad as a 2 way. If that's too much for you, a nice VLSD would do fine.

Just make sure that thing still works, it'll be just as bad as an open diff if it doesn't work.

[Slide_Addict]

Dont use a vlsd they overheat and not as consistant as a welded thats if your looking to drift and wanting to stay on the cheap side

[ILoveMyRHS13]

I love my Tomei 2 way. It's a 240, if you complain about the noise, this isn't the car for you.

[jstr269]

I enjoy my welded diff also. I d.d. mine and it does eat tires a little, but you never have to worry about when or if it's going to lock.

[MrMigs]

From my experience, most people in SoCal used to choose between

Nismo
KAAZ
Cusco
and Tomei

Nismo had some diffs that were pretty mild without clunks, I think it was called Nismo Street or something like that. I bought a used 2-way that was like this once from a shop called G-Speed, and supposedly that was what was inside. They've also got some pretty aggressive ones that are adjustable. I know some people on here had/have it; I believe it was called the Nismo SSS Differential. And then there was Nismo GT, which was supposedly really aggressive. Depending on your connections, you could get a Nismo diff in the sub $1000 range, or you can get lucky and find a used diff and work with that. I bought my used Nismo diff for $600 at the time. Just make sure it's not VERY used, or else it'll function poorly. Also, I think certain Nissan dealerships that carry Nismo diffs may also be able to get service parts for you if you ever need them. Check with your dealer on that one...

KAAZ was straight-up super aggressive and super clunky. I remember seeing everyone at Drift Day events rolling around the parking lot with KAAZ diffs clunking SUPER hard, and it looked like some shat was about to break. A friend of mine has a 1.5-way KAAZ diff in his FC, and it's worked just fine for him at some events. $1000+ but the good thing is that you can get service parts here in the USA, like new clutch plates when you eventually wear them out.

Tomei was good. I drove a friend's car with a 2-way Tomei once. All I can say is that it didin't clunk as loud as the KAAZ diffs I've seen, and the locking was pretty aggressive/immediate. You used to be able to find a hookup for these brand new for about $700 or $800 if you knew the right guy, but I doubt anything like that exists anymore. Either that or I've just been out of the loop for too long.

Right now, I'm using a Cusco RS differential, and the locking is a lot more gradual (depending on throttle input) compared to the Tomei one I tried. I like it the best so far, and when it wears out, I will be most saddened. Price is ... I dunno... I bought this one used as well and has worked great for years.

The only real thing to look at if you want to be picky are the designs of the differential for things like initial torque. Every clutch-type diff has some sort of spring design on the inside that will set them apart from each other, from a cone-spring like the Cusco MZ (and i think Nismo) to a set of small coil springs like the Cusco RS.

In the end, get what you can get at a price that is acceptable. Everything I listed is WAY better than VLSD and WAY better than welded, both of which I've also ran on.

Anyways, my 2cents. Take from it what you will.

[endlessboost]

I bought a Nismo street with about 2,000 miles on it and absolutely love the thing. It's pretty quiet in terms of street driving and locks pretty well when you want it to. My friend has the same diff but his has like 10k miles on it and that shit clunks like crazy but still locks well.

[cjmirabal1]

if its a street car...i say s15 hlsd. i had a vlsd....didnt like it...then got that....i love it!!!!

[Skilz10179]

if its a street car...i say s15 hlsd. i had a vlsd....didnt like it...then got that....i love it!!!!

X2 I love my S15 helical lsd. No noise, no chatter, no control issues with locking and unlocking when cornering, just grip.

[frifox]

been dd'ing welded for more than a year. saving up for OS Giken LSD or Kaaz 2-way SuperQ...

[omgRWDgoodness!]

Mmmm OS Giken :yum: But so0o0o0o expensive :-/

Surprised nobody mentioned Carbonetic, probably what I'm going to end up getting.

[Pandapants]

X2 I love my S15 helical lsd. No noise, no chatter, no control issues with locking and unlocking when cornering, just grip.

I've been looking into this for a awhile; I think I'm going to try it. It seems like a good median for a street car.

[MrMigs]

Isn't the final drive gear ration on S15 HLSD really long?

[e1_griego]

You just use the center section and bolt the stock ring gear to it, thus retaining 4.08.

I've had two torsens, a nismo 1.5 GT and now have a 1.5 giken. Giken > all.

[MrMigs]

You just use the center section and bolt the stock ring gear to it, thus retaining 4.08.

I've had two torsens, a nismo 1.5 GT and now have a 1.5 giken. Giken > all.

Ooooh interesting :)

Why did you have two torsens? Did the first one break?

And what do you like about the OS Giken that makes it > all? lol Sorry to interrogate, but am just curious about that brand, since I've never tried OS Giken before.

[e1_griego]

Bought torsen, bought 1.5, thought 1.5 broke, bought another torsen, bought giken.

Giken = super smooth engagement --smoothest of any clutch type I've felt. Also doesn't require break-in and probably never need a rebuild. And I far prefer a clutch type at autox to a torsen.

[S14Josh]

I've been daily driving my 14 with a welded diff since 07. No issues yet, and I love it.

[Skilz10179]

Isn't the final drive gear ration on S15 HLSD really long?

I'm not really sure but i took the ring gear off my stock open diff and used it on the S15 HLSD, although when you're doubling or even tripling the stock hp levels a taller gear might be pretty nice...

[Perfect Balance]

Just for the record, Kaaz and Tomei are the same thing. Tomei Diffs are made by Kaaz.

Clunking or not clunking depends a lot on the fluid and initial setting of the LSD (determined by the arrangement of the plates inside). Mine is set to 80% and only really clunks after driving hard or on really hot days. If I had set it to 60% it would probably almost never clunk, and on 100% it would probably clunk constantly.

[dazed]

Surprised nobody has mentioned Carbonetic..

Anyone have experience with them? Seems too good to be true, noiseless + bleeding edge performance.

[future]

J30 vlsd blows. It's way better then open. But then sometimes it won't lock up and leave one tire mark. It's a pos. I wanna buy a 1.5 way. Nismo

[omgRWDgoodness!]

Surprised nobody has mentioned Carbonetic..

Look harder :wiggle:

[carmaniac1993]

i didnt read any replys
but im just gonna say, welded diff is not as bad as alot of people make it seem. Its not like ZomGzzz its raining im g0ing to wr3ck!!11!!!1. its great for drifting
but i will also say, ive been dailying a welded for 2 years and at this point, i am dead tired of it. it fucks EVERYTHING up. transmissions, bushings, bearings, pretty much everything in your drivetrain. doesnt happen fast, but it'll creep up.

[colombianbryan]

Thanks for all the insight!! Now i'm leaning towards the s15 hlsd. Did some research and seems pretty straight forward installation, good price and an awesome final drive! I'm using it as a daily that's why i was wondering about the clunking and such.

[dazed]

Look harder :wiggle:

LOL. So someone said basically the exact same thing that I said... wow I didn't even see that. Still not exactly informative.

[cjmirabal1]

Thanks for all the insight!! Now i'm leaning towards the s15 hlsd. Did some research and seems pretty straight forward installation, good price and an awesome final drive! I'm using it as a daily that's why i was wondering about the clunking and such.


U wont regret it bro!!!! Just remember to get s15 input shafts to. Ull need them if u get just the lsd unit and not the whole pumkin

[MrMigs]

i didnt read any replys
but im just gonna say, welded diff is not as bad as alot of people make it seem. Its not like ZomGzzz its raining im g0ing to wr3ck!!11!!!1. its great for drifting
but i will also say, ive been dailying a welded for 2 years and at this point, i am dead tired of it. it fucks EVERYTHING up. transmissions, bushings, bearings, pretty much everything in your drivetrain. doesnt happen fast, but it'll creep up.

Lolol I like that :wiggle:

[kornmanz]

I've got a Kaaz 2 way. It was on the expensive side but worth every penny. Sure its loud, sure you'll get weird looks by people who think your car is about to blow up in the parking lot, but when you step on the gas you'll smile.

[carmaniac1993]

Lolol I like that :wiggle:
i meant, handleing wise its not as bad as what people make it seem.
people were tellin me how its uncontrolable and what not, but its completely controlable. Just depends on ur foot, like every other lsd type deal.

[didderson]

S15 helical is the way to go for the street/grip driving. Less maintenance too lol 3kmile oil changes for clutch type diffs add up $$. Standard gl5 75W-90 oil will be used for oem diffs. IIRC the suggested service interval for these diffs is around same as oem or 15000 miles ;)

If you want to drift though get a clutch type for sure.

A good condition s15 HLSD can be had for around $550 INCLUDING s15 output shafts which you need. This was the price of mine prob 5-6 yrs ago.

Please keep in mind the final drive ratio will stay the same because you will swap your stock ring gear onto this new diff. If you decide to change, you will need a new pinion gear from the same ratio'd differential to also install, or just the other pumpkin.

Because there's no extra understeer created by the locked up diff, you'll never know it's there until you get on it and your tires fight each other for grip. Fishtailin w/ the hlsd is fun as hell, and drifting is definitely possible, just don't drop a wheel!

[towlie]

i didnt read any replys
but im just gonna say, welded diff is not as bad as alot of people make it seem. Its not like ZomGzzz its raining im g0ing to wr3ck!!11!!!1. its great for drifting
but i will also say, ive been dailying a welded for 2 years and at this point, i am dead tired of it. it fucks EVERYTHING up. transmissions, bushings, bearings, pretty much everything in your drivetrain. doesnt happen fast, but it'll creep up.

What the hell this is retarded.
:picardfp:

[carmaniac1993]

^^read 2 posts above.............

[s14gj]

I know this is kinda an old thread, but any one know
What a s15 helical diff is worth in an s13 pumpkin??? used
Less then 2k miles.

I bought a car with one in it, I have been told that they suck
for drifting?? So I'm going with a 2way.

[rcdad123]

so you have not really drifted on them yet and you are now ready to fork out some cash because some one told you they suck for drifting?

[s14gj]

so you have not really drifted on them yet and you are now ready to fork out some cash because some one told you they suck for drifting?

Yep!

I've had open, vlsd, and my last 2 track cars Had
Kaaz and cusco, just never f*ucked with an s15
Diff, and the car isnt a dd, or even much of a
Street car.

[badbob2121]

I have a s15 HLSD, and my feelings are the same as everyone else's.... I love it

[blo0d]

what about the OBX diff... any opinions on those?

[s14gj]

I have a s15 HLSD, and my feelings are the same as everyone else's.... I love it

Is your car your dd? Do u drift it? Over the winter I've driven
The car a couple times On the street, I agree the s15 diff is a nice
Diff, but I'm looking for drifting only. And what is a s15 diff in the
Pumpkin worth??

[The Dude]

what about the OBX diff... any opinions on those?

Do a search. There are people on here and elsewhere who have had pretty good success with them.

[murda-c]

I like my S15 helical until I am making a u turn and the road crown causes me to lift a wheel and everyone turns and looks because of my loudly squealing tire.

[e1_griego]

is your car your dd? Do u drift it? Over the winter i've driven
the car a couple times on the street, i agree the s15 diff is a nice
diff, but i'm looking for drifting only. And what is a s15 diff in the
pumpkin worth??

$500-600..

[SupaDoopa]

Spend the money. Go OS Giken. I know I am.

[Howie Felter Snatch]

I'd personally recommend you to get the NISMO GT L.S.D. PRO if you're willing to spend the $$$..

I love the ability to be able to change my initial torque setting without having to crack open the pumpkin! Its like a quick-change diff but just not AS quick ;) Really sleek stuff! NISMO did a good job engineering the clutch plates and lock-up characteristics.. You get equal torque distribution to each wheel.. Unlike other manufactures of LSD's, they don't quite actually distribute the torque to each wheel so equally.. Check out all the info and graphs on NISMO's website for the GT L.S.D. Pro.

[pacotaco345]

Is your car your dd? Do u drift it? Over the winter I've driven
The car a couple times On the street, I agree the s15 diff is a nice
Diff, but I'm looking for drifting only. And what is a s15 diff in the
Pumpkin worth??

Its worth $50, now pm me your number and I'll buy it off you right now

[epik1]

Anyone tried ATS diffs? Out of second hand experience (sitting in) I know they perform very well for civics...

[SupaDoopa]

Flame suit ready.

[badbob2121]

Is your car your dd? Do u drift it? Over the winter I've driven
The car a couple times On the street, I agree the s15 diff is a nice
Diff, but I'm looking for drifting only. And what is a s15 diff in the
Pumpkin worth??


No it is not my DD, No i dont drift

and i would start your asking price in the $500 range.

[sideview_180sx]

From my experience, most people in SoCal used to choose between

Nismo
KAAZ
Cusco
and Tomei

Nismo had some diffs that were pretty mild without clunks, I think it was called Nismo Street or something like that. I bought a used 2-way that was like this once from a shop called G-Speed, and supposedly that was what was inside. They've also got some pretty aggressive ones that are adjustable. I know some people on here had/have it; I believe it was called the Nismo SSS Differential. And then there was Nismo GT, which was supposedly really aggressive. Depending on your connections, you could get a Nismo diff in the sub $1000 range, or you can get lucky and find a used diff and work with that. I bought my used Nismo diff for $600 at the time. Just make sure it's not VERY used, or else it'll function poorly. Also, I think certain Nissan dealerships that carry Nismo diffs may also be able to get service parts for you if you ever need them. Check with your dealer on that one...

KAAZ was straight-up super aggressive and super clunky. I remember seeing everyone at Drift Day events rolling around the parking lot with KAAZ diffs clunking SUPER hard, and it looked like some shat was about to break. A friend of mine has a 1.5-way KAAZ diff in his FC, and it's worked just fine for him at some events. $1000+ but the good thing is that you can get service parts here in the USA, like new clutch plates when you eventually wear them out.

Tomei was good. I drove a friend's car with a 2-way Tomei once. All I can say is that it didin't clunk as loud as the KAAZ diffs I've seen, and the locking was pretty aggressive/immediate. You used to be able to find a hookup for these brand new for about $700 or $800 if you knew the right guy, but I doubt anything like that exists anymore. Either that or I've just been out of the loop for too long.

Right now, I'm using a Cusco RS differential, and the locking is a lot more gradual (depending on throttle input) compared to the Tomei one I tried. I like it the best so far, and when it wears out, I will be most saddened. Price is ... I dunno... I bought this one used as well and has worked great for years.

The only real thing to look at if you want to be picky are the designs of the differential for things like initial torque. Every clutch-type diff has some sort of spring design on the inside that will set them apart from each other, from a cone-spring like the Cusco MZ (and i think Nismo) to a set of small coil springs like the Cusco RS.

In the end, get what you can get at a price that is acceptable. Everything I listed is WAY better than VLSD and WAY better than welded, both of which I've also ran on.

Anyways, my 2cents. Take from it what you will.

also ATS/Carbonetic, also Cusco MZ. OBX is a joke, you have to pay to play. If you are grip-oriented the s15 hlsd or the torsen made by quaife will work great.

basic rule of a 240. LSD, coilovers, bucket seat. get those 3 and become a better driver.

[jacobzking]

i've picked up several j30 VLSDs over the last 10 years for about $100 or less. for the price its a HUGE improvement over stock. if you're car is stock, or just with bolt ons... spend $100 on a j30 diff and stick with that while you build up your car. you can always resell it and get your money back without a loss and buy something better in the future.

I will add to this thread that I am that 1% of people who have installed a j30 lsd on an s14 and my stock non-abs driveshaft IS too long. trying to find an ABS shaft this week. (or I can just get mine shortened for $75.

[The Dude]

OBX is a joke, you have to pay to play.
I would normally agree but people here and in the honda community have had success using them. There is a write-up on things you should do before installation (deburring and replacing shim stacks), but it is all very minor. It is just planetary gears and would likely be more reliable than a vlsd. With that said I'm still getting the S15 hlsd.

[Bushido]

welded diff all the way baby.