Limited slip, worth it?

Modshack · 01-12-2010, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspector71

As a refresher, how does the limited slip work? Also for one who does not plan to race, would it be advantageous (especially cost wise) to change to a limited slip differential? Thanks.

Worth it? Of course it is. The difference from one wheel drive to 2 is pretty significant. As one rear wheel begins to slip, the other is engaged through a viscous coupling (sport package feature). If all you do is drive on the street, don't drive aggressively and don't have to deal with snow or seriously inclement weather than No, it may not be worth the cost to you to install an aftermarket unit ($1000+). Apparently you didn't see the value in the sport package, so the money (for you) would probably not be well spent..

Inspector71 · 01-12-2010, 01:34 PM

Thanks for the reply and it makes sense. Your assumption that I didn't see the value in the limited slip is mistaken. It would have meant buying the sport model and I couldn't afford the price difference at the time. Sometimes we have to make compromises and this was one...for now.

elmz · 01-12-2010, 01:35 PM

My 350Z didn't have LSD, and now I have it on my 370. You can't tell the difference in normal daily driving. I would say that the car feels a lot better on hard launches and cornering, but the 370 is a different animal than the 350. But with LSD you get power delivery to both wheels, which sounds a lot better than one.

Inspector71 · 01-13-2010, 10:06 AM

Thanks for a great reply. That really helps me as I am trying to decide what mods I will go to eventually. I have to deal with snow and ice (no choice for now) and I like to drive on really twisty turny roads which we have. In what ways would you say the 370 is a different animal from the 350? The reason I ask is, I like both and am thinking about buying a used 350 in a few years to modify but leave my 370 stock. Its just an idea and may not pan out. Again, thanks

elmz · 01-13-2010, 01:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Inspector71

In what ways would you say the 370 is a different animal from the 350? The reason I ask is, I like both and am thinking about buying a used 350 in a few years to modify but leave my 370 stock. Its just an idea and may not pan out. Again, thanks

Well I owned an 05 350 which means it was the 1st gen motor which we call the DE (03-05 DE, 06 Revup, and I believe 07-08 HR). With that said I had the slowest generation of the Z's with only 287HP. Now I own an 09 370Z + Sprt Pkg with 332HP. The 370 is a much better car than my old 350. It's got more grip, more power, and handles much better, so it makes it hard to compare. I can't tell for sure if I'm really feeling the LSD working or if its because the car has a lot more grip and more power. I'm sure it would be more noticeable on a track. I'll be doing AutoX this year so I'll let you know then

Lug · 01-16-2010, 07:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elmz

Well I owned an 05 350 which means it was the 1st gen motor which we call the DE (03-05 DE, 06 Revup, and I believe 07-08 HR). With that said I had the slowest generation of the Z's with only 287HP. Now I own an 09 370Z + Sprt Pkg with 332HP. The 370 is a much better car than my old 350. It's got more grip, more power, and handles much better, so it makes it hard to compare. I can't tell for sure if I'm really feeling the LSD working or if its because the car has a lot more grip and more power. I'm sure it would be more noticeable on a track. I'll be doing AutoX this year so I'll let you know then

Actually, I have the slowest of all 350Z's. An 06 that weighs about 150lbs more than the 03-05 but with the 5AT which means it came with the older DE engine at 287 HP instead of the 300 hp rev-up for the manual that year. I do have the LSD on mine and you simply cannot break the backend loose on that car. I can definately feel it working on hard slide cornering. From what I've read, they do tend to freeze up after 40 to 50 thousand miles but when they fail, the exactly mimic a normal non-LSD differential.

Inspector71 · 01-19-2010, 12:52 PM

Great advice. Sounds like the way to go is with a premium after market unit. Mine non-limimited slip model breaks loose very easily.

01-12-2010, 01:34 PM	#2 (permalink)
Inspector71 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lee's Summit Missouri Posts: 337 Drives: 2015 Pearl White Z Rep Power: 18	Modshack Thanks for the reply and it makes sense. Your assumption that I didn't see the value in the limited slip is mistaken. It would have meant buying the sport model and I couldn't afford the price difference at the time. Sometimes we have to make compromises and this was one...for now. WI_Hedgehog likes this.

01-12-2010, 01:35 PM	#3 (permalink)
elmz Track Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 674 Drives: 2014 Porsche Boxster Rep Power: 19	My 350Z didn't have LSD, and now I have it on my 370. You can't tell the difference in normal daily driving. I would say that the car feels a lot better on hard launches and cornering, but the 370 is a different animal than the 350. But with LSD you get power delivery to both wheels, which sounds a lot better than one. WI_Hedgehog likes this.

01-13-2010, 10:06 AM	#4 (permalink)
Inspector71 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lee's Summit Missouri Posts: 337 Drives: 2015 Pearl White Z Rep Power: 18	For ElmZ Thanks for a great reply. That really helps me as I am trying to decide what mods I will go to eventually. I have to deal with snow and ice (no choice for now) and I like to drive on really twisty turny roads which we have. In what ways would you say the 370 is a different animal from the 350? The reason I ask is, I like both and am thinking about buying a used 350 in a few years to modify but leave my 370 stock. Its just an idea and may not pan out. Again, thanks WI_Hedgehog and JTM88 like this.

01-19-2010, 12:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Inspector71 Enthusiast Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Lee's Summit Missouri Posts: 337 Drives: 2015 Pearl White Z Rep Power: 18	Good advice Great advice. Sounds like the way to go is with a premium after market unit. Mine non-limimited slip model breaks loose very easily.