Should I weld my diferential?

[Valenz54]

I have a 89 240sx and am tired of the 1 tire fire. I can weld the rear end or I can get the LSD. Give me some opinions with the Pros and Cons of Welding or getting the LSD.

[doridori23]

If you weld the diff you will lose all streetability with the car. You will not be able to turn at low speeds with out the car jerking and squeeling all over the place not to mention you better have a tire sponsor. Welding the diff is a cheap race only move and it isn't even good for that. Find your self an old 240sx se(lol), J30, Z32 (read 300zx) etc etc for a cheap Vlsd. The viscous limited slips are good around town and then you stomp it they will lock up. It takes on average 70 ft/lbs of torque diff to get it to lock so most racers would rather have an aftermarket one but for driving around town with a quiet diff that locks em up when you want and doesn't cost $800+ the vlsd is the way to go. If you have $ to spend though you have a world of options in helical, viscous, cone-type, etc etc. I swore there was a thread about the difff types of lsd's....

[LayNLow240]

vlsd is junk and wear out if you start abusing them.welded is fine for the street, its all about money and personal preference.welded is cheap, you either pay or do it yourself once and if done right requires no maintance ever unless it breaks. it makes a little sound, but so do aftermarket lsd's, big deal. pros of welded is cheap, reliable, consistant in lock up(since its welded)cons, if not done right it can break, noise when turning at like 5mph in parking lots(aftermarket lsd will also have noise) and a little jerking at that speed too when turning.aftermarket clutch lsd's will require expensive oil and you will need to change the oil when its reccomended, and eventually it will wear out, so youll have to get replacement clutch packs for it.pros not as much jerking, its a real lsd and its not locked 100% all the timecons expensive, loud(it knocks at low speeds, louder than welded) doesnt always lock the same on the same corner. requires expensive oil, needs alot of maintance

[doridori23]

I am not sure what LSDs your using that make that much noise Lay'n but they sound like their either sprung too tight OR your refering to lockers (think rock crawlers). A Cusco Clutch (24plates) LSD with one tube of LSD additive and 1.5 qts of AMS 75W80 Synth Diff oil ($14 per quart at local Napa) makes no noise at all locks with a 1 way only on acceleration and 30fl/lbs differential, 1.5way might lock up on a very hard turn with little braking OR light acceleration, and a 2way WILL lock up regardless of deceleration or acceleration once a 30ft/lb diff between the wheels is seen. We use Cusco's religiously as they have a great method of heat treatments and MRP treatment of the plates. If you race once a week (drag, autox, drift doesn't matter) you can expect to change out the oil every 2 months (its a whopping $30) and the clutch should last a year. If you go every month OR aggressive street use (probably everyone that reads the forums ) You can change the diff oil whenever you change your motor oil (AMS suggests 15k for turbo cars or 7500miles for heavily driven turbo cars). I personally change oil in motor, trans, and rear every 5000miles and it is about $120. I have had my 1.5way for 2 years and it is still locking strong. Is it necessary? No, but better safe than sorry.

So yes they will wear out if you use it, but not that quick. You dont have to buy Cusco, Kaaz, whomever's oil for $80 the AMS is great and much cheaper. Maintenance on the diff is higher with lsd than welded BUT you wont have the noise OR go through tires through normal use the way that a welded will.

I sidgest you drive or at least ride shotgun with diff setups and see what is best for you. If you don't live near anyone or know anone with a real setup go to a meet listed here, dgtrials, driftlive, etc etc and talk to the people that have them installed. Be careful if you go to a shop and ask them they might just sell you something you don't need or what makes the most money for the shop. Sorry for the book...

[DrifterProdigy85]

Ive owned both Welded and a Nismo 2 Way LSD. The welded is fine for dry weather driving but i wouldnt recommend it in wet weather. Alot of understeer at entry and oversteer at exit. Is very sketchy on wet roads. The Nismo 2 Way was awesome all around. Locked up pretty quite under acceleration and it took hard braking for it to lock. If you didnt want the wheels locked, all you had to do was cruise with the gas or let off completely. I used the Nismo 2 Way in all weather driving. Snow, Rain, Ice, you name it. Lock rears like Clutch LSD and Welded dont hurt the tires much at all. After all the tire is just skipping on the pavement at low speeds (less than 15mph) anything higher the tires go where the car does and thats for welded and clutch LSD. Id suggest a Clutch LSD for daily driving and a Welded for a weekend only car.

[Valenz54]

Thanks for the advice I think am going to go with an LSD since it is my daily driver and I live in the north west where there is alot of rain