The Welded Differential Discussion/Questions thread

[ILoveMyRHS13]

since your car is a hicas you have a vlsd. so instead of buying a open and welding it, you should shim your vlsd to a 2way, i heard good things about that.

Shimming a viscous doesn't make it a 2 way.

[LayNLow240]

Generally what is the average life of tires with the welded diff. I would do this but my car is the super hicas so I would have to get the hicas delete kit before I did this....

Average life of tires will depend on the tire wear rating of that specific tire. But to give you an idea I dailied a welded diff in my old coupe on some brand new dunlop dz101's and they were gone after 7 months. Only 1/4 of a drift event on them with a stock ka in a smooth lot so they didnt get too much wear there.

Actually, the Lotus Exige (quite possibly one of the best handling cars made) comes with an open diff, LSD is an option. Most people opt not to the LSD also.

Predictable is not what I would call a welded diff.

You don't always want the diff locked. Example, one wheel in the air, one wheel on the ground. You don't want it locked.

Uhh, if you have one wheel in the air and the other on the ground you WOULD want your diff locked. Otherwise your a** is stuck. No open or helical diff will get you out of that situation.

Well I had a dual cam ka coupe with a welded and i loved it. Didnt have to worry about getting stuck going into driveways 3wheeling, didnt have to worry about not having traction, didnt have to ask myself if i just bought a 300$ paperweight(AKA VLSD, they go open if they are old or had too much heat put into them). But then my power steering went out, it was a b**** to turn. But cheap and reliable, cant beat that. I had it for about a year and a half, did 3 events on it, some not so legal drifting, and a bunch of daily driving and axles were never a problem. Have yet to break one. I know plenty of people in the area running weldeds for years and have yet to break an axle.

Until I got my hatch, put my sr and other suspension stuff into it and found myself a used nismo 2 way for cheaper than most people sell VLSD's for. Cant beat that with a stick either. Looking back, a welded is great for what it is, but I do like having something that i dont have to worry about tires every 5-7 months. No hopping when making sharp turns. I love it.

[mrgreeneyes]

Question.MGE, why did you hate your 2 way?Would you guys recommend purchasing other mounts or arms when welding your diff?How much of a difference does it make when you do upgrade those things?And why?

with the OEM 2 piece limp-a** driveshaft (i mean COME ON NISSAN, it has RUBBER as the joint between the two halves) and SHOT oem motor mounts, when the diff tried to rachet down and lock, the sloppy drivetrain took up the slack, instead of forcing the diff to lock down, and caused what i can only describe as "death rachet" movement/noise.

weldeds dont have this issue so much due to the fact that its solid, not a "locker", so its not AS much of an issue, but my driveshaft/mounts are BY and FAR one of my favorite drivability mods.

with my current supporting mods, the 2way is the JAM. locks consistently, makes considerably less noise *aka death rachet* and just has improved drivability ten fold.

yes, you SHOULD have QUALITY aftermarket arms in the rear, complimented by a poly bushing set to fill in the joints that aren't heimed. these will eliminate your knuckles from torquing around, tryin to hook the tires to the pavement. they will also aid in more consistent handling in all aspects.

want to make a HUGE difference in rear-end behavior? Parts Shop Max/ SPL Parts /STANCE subframe RISERS. choose your poison on the brand, they all do the same thing. they PLANT that subframe still in the rear and eliminate the need for gimmicky stuff like those RPSport Erector Set "braces".

hope this answers a few questions.

[Bumnah]

Uhh, if you have one wheel in the air and the other on the ground you WOULD want your diff locked. Otherwise your a** is stuck. No open or helical diff will get you out of that situation.

Apologies, improperly phrased. Depends on power level. Locked with one wheel in the air, you'll be putting power down on one wheel. That one wheel has traction. It is possible to spin out. Obviously it depends on the circumstances, speed, power.

A LSD is obviously a good idea, and welded diff is not.

Being a novice driver, coming into a turn, braking late and turning late, I'd want my rear end planted. I wouldn't want it doing anything funny either. That's why the VLSD is such a good option, easy on the driver, predictable.

I'd be scared to drive a high power car with a welded diff. Maybe it'll put down good power, but it'd be a white knuckle drive.

If you hadn't figured it out yet, I'm against welded diffs.

[ILoveMyRHS13]

Who gives a s*** if your rear end is planted or not? You're not going to do any circuit racing with a welded diff. Drift/drag only. You're looking at it from a racing point of view, Bumnah, and you can't look at it like that, haha.

[Bumnah]

Who gives a s*** if your rear end is planted or not? You're not going to do any circuit racing with a welded diff. Drift/drag only. You're looking at it from a racing point of view, Bumnah, and you can't look at it like that, haha.

My view may be from a racing point.

Here's a couple of points from people in this thread.

Cons:It wears tires down quicker. If you have good tires in the rear (like I do, I run Falkens) it will put even more strain on axles. I haven't broken one yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Be sure to have plenty of extra axles. You can get them for -$3.The car fights you while turning.Turning radius goes out the window.

Waiting for an axle to snap....

Are these not big enough cons to a welded diff?

[ILoveMyRHS13]

My view may be from a racing point.

Here's a couple of points from people in this thread.

Cons:It wears tires down quicker. If you have good tires in the rear (like I do, I run Falkens) it will put even more strain on axles. I haven't broken one yet, but I'm sure it's only a matter of time. Be sure to have plenty of extra axles. You can get them for -$3.The car fights you while turning.Turning radius goes out the window.

Waiting for an axle to snap....

Are these not big enough cons to a welded diff?

To me, the Pros outweigh the cons. It's a drift car, it's going to break. NO fighting that. I've grown to accept that fact. I don't have $700-$1 Billion dollars to spend on an LSD. I'm sure once I make more money, I'll buy a 2 way, but for now a welded is the best alternative.

[240lookis]

annoying squeaking? excessive tire wear? possible danger?hey my car fits all those already!time for a welded diff!

[s13beast]

I gave my welded away. My vlsd has 200k+ miles and locks perfect and is great on my dd. Also very predictable. I understand welded diffs being cheap tho. Great for the avarage guy who wants to slide. But I can get vlsds with low miles for $50 so welded isnt for me.

[Gabes13]

vlsds ftw!!!1!

I'll admit, I like them. But a couple of minuets of sliding, and it feelings just like an open.

[hotrod240sx]

i have to get in on this thread with some personal experiances. i have an 84 chevy truck with a H.O. 502 gm crate motor, s13beast has seen the truck, it is minispooled basically the same as a welded diff when i installed it i noticed tire wear, better traction although not enought to hook that 500+horse 600+ft torque bastard, lol. when turning sharp you will likely hear some scratchiung at the pavement due to both tires trying to turn same speed. i have drivin this truck in serious storm and it wasn't much fun in a safety aspect, you definaly have to be aware of surroundings, and be careful. i have had welded diffs, again they are pretty much the same. would i do it again, in my truck, yes, as i don't drive it all the time 8mpg on the highway is no fun. would i do it in my 240 no i doubt it, for 2 reasons, 1 is it already has a vlsd since it is hicas, and 2 i drive the 240 to much in the rain and everyday. personally i dont recomend in a dd, however a drift, track car, or occasional driver i would definatle consider it. also i would go minispool before welding 1, but i know of no mini spools for the 240's

[troskinatior]

Shimming a viscous doesn't make it a 2 way.

OK, you know what i ment, it makes it "feel" like a 2way. its better then buying a open diff then paying to weld it in my oppinion

[ILoveMyRHS13]

OK, you know what i ment, it makes it "feel" like a 2way. its better then buying a open diff then paying to weld it in my oppinion

For the record, all shimming a viscous does is lock harder. It will never "feel" like a 2 way because they're two totally different things. And again, when viscous' heat-up, they act as opens.

BTW, it's been said that shimmed viscous' lock like 1.5 ways.

[Salem240]

I'm thinking of welding one of my spare open diffs this week, but before I do I have one question..... Exactly how many people have actually broken their axles with a welded diff on a stock KA?I'm just tired of looking like a douche when my car gets off camber when I accelerate and peg leg the hell out of it

[ILoveMyRHS13]

I'm thinking of welding one of my spare open diffs this week, but before I do I have one question..... Exactly how many people have actually broken their axles with a welded diff on a stock KA?I'm just tired of looking like a douche when my car gets off camber when I accelerate and peg leg the hell out of it

I have yet to break one. You'll be fine.

[richiev8s13]

i had stock axles and a v8 s13 with about 350 hp and 380-400 foot lb.s TOr. and never broke a axle oh and i just welded another one for the s14 i love them cant see spending the money on a 2 way for the same s***

[AZ89two4Tsx]

Who deleted me and ILoveMyRHS13's little discussion?

I'm assuming OutToWinPAHC?

[mrgreeneyes]

Who deleted me and ILoveMyRHS13's little discussion?

I'm assuming OutToWinPAHC?

is he a mod?

i dont get it....

[hbpignosePA]

generally you shouldnt bring up crap that was deleted..... why not just drop the discussion?

[mrgreeneyes]

generally you shouldnt bring up crap that was deleted..... why not just drop the discussion?

JOSH FOR MOD 2010!!!!

WOOOOOHHOOOOO

[AZ89two4Tsx]

is he a mod?

i dont get it....

Yeah, and is a little overbearing sometimes, in my opinion. Kinda tries to "censor" everything. Even the gray area stuff, which personally, I would leave alone. It's not a personal attack on him or anything btw, just my personal feeling about the situation. I mean, it's not like our debate was getting personal or anything.

I enjoy stating my opinion, and would hope everyone else does as well. It's a forum after all.

And on that note, that is ALL I will say about that. No use dragging something on that was deleted.

[ILoveMyRHS13]

Yeah, and is a little overbearing sometimes, in my opinion. Kinda tries to "censor" everything. Even the gray area stuff, which personally, I would leave alone. It's not a personal attack on him or anything btw, just my personal feeling about the situation. I mean, it's not like our debate was getting personal or anything.

I enjoy stating my opinion, and would hope everyone else does as well. It's a forum after all.

And on that note, that is ALL I will say about that. No use dragging something on that was deleted.

Glad to see we're on the same page.

But I do now realize that my front tires do lose some traction.

[hbpignosePA]

JOSH FOR MOD 2010!!!!

WOOOOOHHOOOOO

there is not enough hard liquor to make that job bareable

too many nubs running around not searching= me either adding to their confusion or remaining silent

[OutToWinPAHC]

Nope not I, but being OP or not it certainly was off topic.... even when MGE set the thread terms.

[mrgreeneyes]

Nope not I, but being OP or not it certainly was off topic.... even when MGE set the thread terms.

i did?

[OutToWinPAHC]

ahhh way to late again, my mistake made the confusion between the 2 again.

It was a fun debate thought.

[OutToWinPAHC]

Back on top, when you guys welded yours what did you use?

Mine was done with a 220 mig though I'd rather use a tig.

[TheBlaiant]

If i remember correctly, don't the Z32 VLSD's have an oil cooler on them? That would help out with the issue of VLSD's heating right?

[Bumnah]

If i remember correctly, don't the Z32 VLSD's have an oil cooler on them? That would help out with the issue of VLSD's heating right?

Z32 rear diff cover allows you to hold more oil.

All the covers have fins on them to aid in cooling. Some units did have a diff cooler, but I don't believe any of those were USDM pieces.

Z32 diff cover doesn't fit an s13.

[Salem240]

never broke a axle oh and i just welded another one for the s14 i love them cant see spending the money on a 2 way for the same s***

I had a Cusco 2 way and sold it cause I didnt like the way it would go in and out of lock with the modulation of the throttle. In a long sweeping curve, say a highway on ramp, when I would slow down to get on the ramp then get into the curve and start to accelerate it would lock and start to push the car. Then when I'd release the throttle, while still in the sweeping curve, the diff would unlock and return open and stop "pushing". The diff made the car "feel" unsettled and less predictable. That is why I'm going to try the welded option, that way it will be constantly locked and predictable. And as for tire wear the cusco would make my 235's chirp and drag in the rear if I had to use the accelerator at all while parking. As for stability of 100% lock a 100% of the time.... yeah I have to be more careful in the rain and pushing into sharp corners, but atleast I'd know exactly what it will do and when..... all of the time