Help selecting a differential.

[progman]

Hi,

I have been shopping around and looking for info on this for a few days now. I want a new rear end that will allow me to drift better and help me on the road track.

I think I want a KAAZ SBN2655 SUPER Q which is a 1.5way (for open diff since my stock diff is open).

Anyone recommend anything else? I know the KAAZ is very popular and I'm wondering if that's because they are better..

Tomei -- only 2way? they say that 2 way is easier to control than 1.5 way (any experience?)Cusco -- very interested in this one. plus you can change it from 1.5 to 2 way. it's 250$ dollars more than KAAZNismo -- didn't feel like looking this up.Carbonetic - metal LSD - but their sites makes their metal LSD seems like junk after you read about the carbon LSD.

Please let me know what you guys think. The KAAZ is the cheapest... besides the Carbonetic Metal LSD...

[RCA]

If you plan on doing serious drifting then spending big bucks is necessary.If you plan on spending big bucks go and grab yourself a Carbonetic Carbon series diff.

But if you are just drifting for kicks and want a little more bite then a 1.5 is the way to go. As for the brand... They all make quality parts (not including NISMO).

[progman]

The Carbonetic Carbon IS acually about the same cost if not cheaper than the cusco and the tomei.

The KAAZ super Q is about $1000Carbonetic Carbon is about $1250Cusco is about $1350

The main purpose for getting the diff is for track racing with drifting coming in a close second. So I guess I was not clear in my first post. I want the best diff for road racing assuming I can still drift well with it. This is why I'm not sure on the 1.5 vs 2 way stuff.

[TheRealNap0le0n]

Characteristics

Geared LSDs respond to driveshaft torque, so that the more driveshaft input torque present, the harder the clutches or cones or gears are pressed together, and thus the more closely the drive wheels are coupled to each other. Some include spring-loading to provide some small torque so that with no / little input torque (trailing throttle/gearbox in neutral/main clutch depressed) the drive wheels are minimally coupled. The amount of preload (hence static coupling) on the clutches or cones are affected by the general condition (wear) and by how tightly they are loaded.

Broadly speaking, there are three input torque states: load, no load, and over run. During load conditions, as previously stated, the coupling is proportional to the input torque. With no load, the coupling is reduced to the static coupling. The behaviour on over run (particularly sudden throttle release) determines whether the LSD is 1 way, 1.5 way, or 2 way.

If there is no additional coupling on over run, the LSD is 1 way. This is a safer LSD: as soon as the driver lifts the throttle, the LSD unlocks and behaves somewhat like a conventional open differential. This is also the best for FWD cars, as it allows the car to turn in on throttle release, instead of ploughing forward.[2]

If the LSD increases coupling in the same way regardless of whether the input torque is forward or reverse, it is a 2 way differential. Some drifters prefer this type as the LSD behaves the same regardless of their erratic throttle input, and lets them keep the wheels spinning all the way through a corner. An inexperienced driver can easily spin the car when using a 2 way LSD if they lift the throttle suddenly, expecting the car to settle like a conventional open differential.

If the LSD behaves somewhere in between these two extremes, it is a 1.5 way differential, which is a compromise between sportiness and safety.

[progman]

I sorta know how they work differently but I'm worried about how they affect things like trail breaking and under steer and how extreme it is.

If the kaaz, cusco and carbonetic preform about the same then I'll get the kaaz unit as it's a good 200-300 dollars cheaper.

Anyone have any reasons why I should go with cusco or carbonetics?

I'm learning towards 1.5 KAAZ still.

[TheRealNap0le0n]

i have a welded and love the way my car handles.... a bit more "push" thru the corners but overall feels more planted

[Wc240]

all your options have been documented as being a quality piece(havent heard of the carbon one)id say 1.5 way for what you want to do.

why is the nismo not a quality part? i love mine