I've got a 11 G37 as my driver. I've got a pending job offer to move up to Colorado Springs here later this year. Just waiting on the HR paperwork to clear. Part of the job is I'll have to commute to south side of Denver probably once a week year round. I'll get some winter tires for her and such but I'm also looking at other ways to help with the winter commutes.
My G is the journey spec so it's an open Diff car. I see the LSD Diffs out of the S models running $300 on ebay and at the yards. So do they work well enough to make the change? it looks pretty straight forward to change it out.
Thoughts?
They're considered one of the best. It's a R200 derivative.
I believe that’s the viscous type. Might wanna check out how they work so you don’t think your lsd is junked.
I had '04 G35 with the VLSD. It was decent in the snow, certainly better than an open diff would be at the time.
Traction & stability control on the '04 was pretty crude though. Sometimes helpful when super slippery, but basically any yaw would cut the throttle. I've got to believe that your '11 has a much better system. Maybe an "E-diff" that works well enough for winter & could save you the hassle?
I'd say it's worth the $300. Even a vLSD definitely has advantages over an open differential.
Thanks Guys. I figured that would be the answer but wanted to get the Hives opinion. Maybe I'll grab the S rear sway bar too and toss that in since I will have that out anyways.
Looks like I'll do some shopping when I get back from Asia.
The VLSD is a good option for a better diff in a road car. A clutch style LSD can actually be worse in snow under some conditions. When looking on Ebay you can use one from a G37 or a 370Z, but verify the final drive ratio. They vary depending on auto or manual, RWD vs AWD, and some vary between option packages, such as Touring vs Track. It is a version of the R200V that's been used in Nissans/Infinitis for years, but it's about 3/4" wider than what was used in the 240sx, J30, Q45, etc.
I would not recommend a bigger sway bar in the rear without some research. It can help reduce understeer, but in a road car it can also cause oversteer in low traction situations.
In reply to djsilver :
Just to clarify, the third gen Q45 had the wider diff.
