Does anybody have a Limited Slip Differential fitted on their 300ZX? I have a manual TT (2-seater) and I certainly feel it needs a LSD.

What makes are out there? I have seen a Cusco for our Z, but it is pricey.

Appreciate any input.

Thanks, Geoff

 

I thought we all had them as standard. Don't we? When I did my rear shocks last week I was amazed to see the little oil cooler on the diff. Oil temp sensor as well - top technology! It's just that both wheels spin with an LSD if there's enough power!!!

 

LSD is std on all Z's. Does the fairlady have the oil cooler on the diff also as i'm buggered if I can see it?

 

LSD is std on all Z's. Does the fairlady have the oil cooler on the diff also as i'm buggered if I can see it?

 

Nah

 

This was another little extra added to the UK / Euro spec Z's.

 

The import 'fairlady' Z's don't have the diff cooler.

 

Steve

 

What exactly does the LSD do?? Does it mean that the rear end doesn't fly out as much??

 

If so thats why my import gets a bit hairy sometimes when you wack on the power!

 

Been more or less driving it like a granny for the past 2 months until I get use to the car.

 

 

You'll get used to the slides, I was in the inside merge lane onto the M4 the other day with a car on the offside. I decided to undertake him so whacked the power on to weave between it and the car in front of me. In the wet the ass wipped out at 50mph and i kept it sliding as i overtook him and blammed onto the motorway. I'm sort of used to this now but my passenger couldn't speak for several minutes as he thought he was going to die! (Cue Evil Laugh)I love me zed me!!!!!!

 

Simon

 

I didn't think the Z used LSD as standard, it uses something similar but more appropriate for the power / weight distribution of the car.

 

I could be wrong, i'll look into it when i get home and let y'all know on Monday if you really care :o)

 

Z ya

 

Nico91TT

 

 

 

 

Simon,

 

I need another 2 months before I will even consider doing that.

 

Give me my H reg Cavalier 1.6L and I'd do it (funny that eh...). Well i've got more to lose in the Zed. The M4 is a fine stretch of Motorway, use to do the London to Cardiff trip once a week.

 

Oil cooler can be seen from O/S rear wheel arch with wheel off. If my memory is right.

 

It might not be a conventional limited slip diff but I think the limiting or torque transfer is done by a viscous coupling rather than clutches.

 

Just to clear up my insane rammblings of post pub friday.

 

The Z32 does have a Limited Slip differential, however it is not the usual mechanical sort, it is as WilleO mentions a Viscous Coupling, which consists of a thin metal plates and a silicon suspension fluid which basically stiffens when there is a difference across the plates. This was a design decision taken by Nissan, even tho there is a common though that the Viscous coupling does not react fast enuff to make a suitable Limited Slip Differential for a Sports car.

 

I dunno if anyone does or has tryed a mechanical Slip Diff on the Z, i would have thought it would not make a lot of difference, you soon get used to the way the rear of the car handles, IMO it is great car to drive and handles like a dream for a rear wheel drive sports car.

 

Z ya

 

Nico91TT

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for all the comments. I understand that Nissan fitted LSDs to all European 300ZXs. An LSD is not stock or fitted on my import model.

Cusco offer a (I guess, mechanical) LSD, but looks pricy. This perhaps is the only alternative to Nissan?

An alternative could perhaps be fitting a UK LSD from a breaking UK model. Does anybody know if this would not be a straight swap? I have a 300TT 2-seater.

Thanks for all your help, Geoff

 

Geoff ,

 

Are you sure, as far as i know the limited slip diff, was a stock component of all Z32 models and all configurations and i would have thought if any car needed it the 2 seater TT would.

 

Z ya

 

Nico91TT

 

 

 

 

According to the info I have, ALL Z32 HAVE the viscous coupling LSD.

 

I'd be surprised to see a Z without one.

 

And It's pretty esay to test if you have one or not.

 

Henri

 

I am confused, it was my garage that told me I should think about getting an LSD.

Henri, what is the simple test? The car is at the garage at the moment.

 

I would imagine the Cusco is a mechanical LSD, but I am not sure if it is a 1, 1.5 or 2 variety? Has anybody had one of these fitted?

Thanks, Geoff

 

Geoff,

 

What HP is your car running, some cars out of Japan change the Rear Diff if they are running high HP as the Stock TT ones tend to melt at around 650 - 700 HP i think, maybe your was once (or is now, but im sure you would know) in this catagory.

 

It is however more likely that the garage has no idea what they are talking about.

 

Z ya

 

Nico91TT

 

 

 

 

 

Geoff,

 

from what i can remember, the check for an lsd is to jack both back wheels off the ground, and turn one of them.

 

The other one should turn in the opposite direction, not the same direction.

 

I though all cars after 1945 had LSD - lol

 

Sounds as if your garage know their stuff!!

 

?

 

Steve

 

Craig

I think you are wrong. Any non LSD diff will have the opposite wheel turn in the opposite direction to the one you are rotating. That is the differential working. Its not a limited slip diff proof.

Willie

 

okay Willie, my bad, i just seem to remember something like that, and it was a while ago...

 

anyone actually know the test then ?

 

Oups, sorry, I missed this one.

 

Simple.

 

Jack the rear of the car, start the engine, idling, in gear.

 

Normally BOTH rear wheels should rotate.

 

Taking caution, with your hands (please wear gloves), try to prevent one rear wheel to rotate....if you have a LST, this MUST be impossible.

 

 

 

Henri