Limited slip, worth it?
 

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..

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.

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.

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

A LSD is highly recommended for track use or spirited mountain driving. The OEM VLSD is decent for street use, but quicky overheats and turns to crap on the track. And because it is not a clutch style locking LSD, it can't put the power down as cleanly off the corner as something like a Carbonetic Carbon 1.5 LSD or OSG 1.5 way can do.

That said, I would look at upgrading to coilovers, and better brakes before moving to the LSD.

Sharif@Forged
 

Great advice. I am storing all this up for the future. I didn't ask about prices because I was afraid to, ha ha

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 :tup:

How does the LSD actually work? Does it deliver more torque to one of the rear tires (i.e. the one that's not "slipping" so as to compensate for the other one's "fail")? Thanks.

Torque sensing differentials can do that (Torsen for example). The Viscous unit uses perforated discs, rotating in fluid. The discs are stacked such that they alternate for the 2 output shafts, so when one axle is going faster than the other it will generate a hydraulic force against the other to speed up the slower axle. Unfortunately as the fluid heats up it loses it viscosity which makes the whole system ineffective.

ElmZ
 

Thanks, that is good information and gives me something to consider. I am reluctant to make too many mods to my 09 Z I guess.

Def worth it if you like to drive in the twisties. but like ChrisSlicks said, you could put a better unit than the stock sport one. Sinc eyou have to pay for the install anyway, I'd go that route and do it right.

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.

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.

Thanks, ChrisSlicks! Is that the same as PosiTraction?