sorry for being a noob... but whats the diff between vlsd and hicas?

[Milky6]

on the s13 models, what is the difference between vlsd and hicas? and what is 4 wheel steering?? is it all 4 wheels turning?? please help me out here... thanks guys

[masticatingcow]

LOL, you had to ask about two of the more complicated systems 240sx's have. It's cool though. Well, for starters, VLSD and HICAS are two completely different things.

VLSD = Viscous Limited Slip Differential. I'm going to assume you know what an LSD is, but just in case, it's a type of differential. It mediates torque distribution between the rear axles using the variable viscosity of oil.

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/differential.htm

HICAS = Nissan's proprietary four-wheel-steering system. Four-wheel-steering is just that. All four wheels being used to steer the car. Nissan had HICAS in the 240sx and 300zx (I think), and Honda had something else in the early 90s Prelude (at least), but it did essentially the same thing. The rear wheels are made to turn against the front wheels around tight turns, and, at least in the Prelude with four-wheel-steering, turn inline with the front wheels when doing more minor turning, such as lane changes.

Hope this helps.

[jchilders04]

in other words..vlsd: makes both rear tires spin when smashed on the gas, instead of just one, which is what happens on any non vlsdhicas: all 4 wheels used to steerand if i'm not mistaken all hicas cars have a vlsd

[PalmerWMD]

yes all HICAS cars have VLSD as HICAS only shows up on higher end models.

THe streeing action of the rear wheels is always small and unobtrusive even dificult to notice at full lock.

Fred..

PS: Some "t" models of Q45 and J30 also had HICAS for many model years

[Toddles82]

They were early model Preludes in "SH" trim, I believe. and The Z's had it also.

[masticatingcow]

*Whores a post feigning validity.*

Seriously, props to my fellow NICOnauts for not flaming this guy off the boards. This is the NICO I signed up for two years ago.