WOW Cusco 1.5 way for our cars down to..

[PalmerWMD]

$900 :

http://www.driftfactory.com/pr...d=809

[SHIEF]

Is this one better than the VLSD that comes from the factory equipped Z's?

[PalmerWMD]

Is this one better than the VLSD that comes from the factory equipped Z's?

Absolutely.

If you been loking at these kind of diffs for a while, and Cusco are kinda high end that price is <good>. I paid 850 shipped for a Nismo ( a lesser unit) for my S13 and that was a good price.a CUSCO for 350Z, only 60 bucks more is good news.

Something like this, might be a reason to save $$ and buy a base (they come w/o LSD) cuz its so desirable to swap one of these in.

Fred,,,

[SHIEF]

I'm seriously considering the 'base' model now. Although, I think the traction control might help at the track (1/4). Damn you Fred, just when I think I know what I want....
Modified by SHIEF at 3:34 AM 5/14/2005

[PalmerWMD]

The TCS ( which the base doesnt have) wont help you at the track it will hurt your times.

Everyone switches it off.

Some folks, that daily drive their Z, have gotten the default setting manipulated ,so the defeault on the TCS is off, so they dont have to rememebr to switch it off everytime.

But the stock VLSD is not useless either, there is a school of thought, that feels it will make you smoother on a roadcourse vs a clutchtype diff.

I know, I really prefer clutch type diff ,because its always so grabby and seems to increase control.

Dont let this one factor sway you one way or anothe though , consider the whole feature/miles/price/condition of a car when looking at a deal.

Fred..

[SHIEF]

Hmm...good info there Fred. I know I can get a better deal on a Base model through wholesale. Now finding one with a factory wing may be hard. Being the only difference between Enth and Base was the LSD, HID's, lights in the vanity mirror, and the auto glare mirror. I can easily live w/o that stuff, and then upgrade with the money I'll be saving as far as lights and LSD go.

[PalmerWMD]

If I went with a base I would decide just to stick with the base headlights as true Xenon kits for this car are very expesnive.

If you crave Xenons it might be more cost effective to go with an Enthusiast then and just swap out the LSD and sell the VLSD here on Nico .

Fred..

[SHIEF]

Yeah that's true as well. I'm not really concerned with the HID's that much. I've seen some pics of the 350's with those all yellow lens. I think those would look nice on a black Z with black wheels (my intensions). I don't know if you can buy len$ like that or if you have to do it yourself. I'm just wondering if the HID's would turn the actual light into a green tint as opposed to a yellow tint. Either way if I get a good deal on either or with a wing, I'm going to buy what's available.

[PalmerWMD]

Yes, buy whats the best deal, if you dont crave the Xenons it gives you a lot more freedom of choice.

Yes you can buy the yellow tint, aftermarket is huge for our car:

This is just one of our sponsorshttp://www.customenterprise.co...gn018

[PalmerWMD]

Here is the Xenon look for cheap..:http://www.sportcompactonly.co...0&l=2

[350zQ45a]

I have a base, and love it. This is how a base model "should" be.

Not stripped suspension or engine or anything, just stripped add on accessories which mean nothing when it comes to the performance of the car

Bose stereo: Pure crapHID Lights: Nice, but I can get on a set on ebay for under 1kStock diff.. barely adaquate, useless with a bunch of mods on the track

VDC and traction control are nothing but a PITA. It's been discussed at length elsewhere, but it appears that it can't be completely disabled without pulling fuses. If you go out to the track, it will still fight you. That's just lame

I'm happy I got the base.

Fred: how do you think this cusco ranks up with the OS goiuken or however its spelled?

[PalmerWMD]

Ryan: I now too little about that other diff to wish to comment about it..,, but I can say that I was happy with my Nismo and the Kaaz is considered a step up from that ( albeit a small one) and the Cusco is by most considered a small step above kaaz.

Of course we may never notice the difference and I was real happy with my Nismo but Cusco is certainly very highly regarded.

All these can be installed as 2 ways or 1.5 ways

[Gsedan35]

Let me add some things to the conversation.

Cusco MZ is the same as the Nismo LSD which street's for around $925However,...........when you open the box, base model Z owners get a big bonus inside the Nismo box that you do not get with the Cusco. Required LSD stub axles, saving you an additional $300 expense.

Below is a cut and paste from a post I found not to long ago, main thing I want to bring up is the Cusco RS diff.

Cusco LSD's are offered in two configurations, Type MZ and Type RS.

Type MZ works by having the initial torque created by the cone plates.These tend to be a bit more "mechanical" in their engagement feel.

The Type RS is a low initial torque type using RS springs. With the Type RS, the initial torque is absorbed by the RS springs therefore the initial torque comes on gently compared to the Type MZ which comes on stronger as it uses cone plates and response of the LSD is better, as the friction is lower.

Cusco LSD's for the 350Z are internally adjustable from 1.5 way to 2 way to suit every driving condition. In 1.5 way mode, the LSD activates under acceleration. Understeer is less than on the 2 way LSD. Recommended for drivers having difficulty with 2 way LSD understeer, or for those not wanting to setup for drift use.

The two way LSD activates on both acceleration and deceleration. Recommended for those who prefer hot driving action and big angle drift.

Both MZ and RS Type LSD' use Cusco's "MZ Differential Plates". CUSCO's MZ plate grooves are cut radially enabling instant oil movement, enabling improved efficiency and durability. The MZ plate surface is polished for an even contact with the pressure rings. Also, CUSCO's Oil Through System enhances the efficiency performance.

Highly resistant parts with extreme efficient manufactured.CUSCO's Oil Through System was possible by using high quality chrome molybdenium steel. The internal side gears and pinion gears used are precise forged parts that enable compact yet durable gears that are able to cope with high horsepower applications. This in turn increases the internal oil capacity as well as the number of MZ clutch plates taking the load off each plate for further durability.

CUSCO's unique Oil Through System enables better oil flow inside the LSD for better efficiency. The casing made from CUSCO's unique technology allows the oil to flow from the wide end to the pressure rings and the MZ clutch plate for efficient lubrication. Making the LSD more stable and durable! This was only possible with CUSCO's unique technology in manufacturing chrome molybdenium steel casings and gears that enabled a higher level of durability and a better flow of oil due to the large oil openings."

[end cut & paste]

On the oem VLSD,.......well it's better then nothing. It does serve a purpose of limiting slip off the line. But it function's by allowing slip to occur before is tries to lock up the spining wheel. It also has a limitation to how much force it can apply and keep the offending wheel from spinning. Add more power or stickier tires and the viscous goo doesn't alway's win and do it's job. When clutch type's have more that it asked of them from stickier tires or more power, they simply grip their internal clutch plates that much harder.

[PalmerWMD]

Hmm,

Maybe things are different here than with my old S13, cusco ,kaaz or nismo were all straighht bolt-on no stub axles needed..

Someone other than Nismo makes the nsimo LSD's ( they farm everything out) I wasnt aware it was Cusco for Z33 LSD's are you pretty sure?

Fred..

[SHIEF]

So on a Base Z33 you need stub axles if you go Cusco? How does the Nismo LSD (not needing stub axles) stack up against the Cusco then? Also, what about Quaife? Do they have anything available for the Z33 yet? I've been pretty impressed with their LSD's in the past.

[DriftFactory]

Well, it brakes down like this. On the Viscous equipped cars you don't need anything. On base model cars you need stub axels. However, the Nismo units are not quite as good as the others despite the price. IMHO, even the Cusco units cannot hold a candle to the new KAAZ Solid models. The Solid LSD holds more torque, locks up better, and lasts longer than the Cusco or the Nismo. This is due to the Solid LSD using the new thicker RS plates and packing more of them into the LSD than the competing models. Plus we have the KAAZ LSD for $895 with free shipping and a free can of gear oil.

http://www.driftfactory.com/pr...d=413

[350zQ45a]

Drift Factory:

Can I get that paired with a 3.9 final drive, or is that only something 350evo offers?

[DriftFactory]

Well,... Kaaz dosen't make a final drive gear for the 350 yet, but give me until tomorrow and I'll see if I can get my hands on one.

[SHIEF]

Now is this a 1.5 or a 2 way diff on the Kaaz unit that your talking about? Also, where can you get stub axles and for how much?

[PalmerWMD]

So on a Non Base like mine, I wouldnt need Stub axles and could just direct bolt -on the 1.5 way Cusco?

Fred..

[DriftFactory]

That's right. But if you go with the KAAZ you get the bearings already pressed as well as new gaskets and shaft seals . The Cusco comes with the bearings but they are not pressed yet. However, the KAAZ unit is a 2 way so if you want a 1.5 Cusco is the way to go.

[PalmerWMD]

So would I have to take the Cusco somewhere to get pressed in the bearing prior to install?

Would a mid size Nissan dealer have the machine for that?

(Like my local nissan dealer and would probaly have them do install)

Fred..

[DriftFactory]

Any small to mid sized shop should be able to do it. The bearings are not that large and do not require any extreme amount of force to push in. Still not something you can do by hand or with "home engineering".

[SHIEF]

With a big enough socket that fits in the right spot anything is pressable

[Exar-Kun]

Fred,This is a dumb question, and I should be flamed for asking..but my Enthusiest Z does not have TCS < correct?

I'm going to go look at my car in a second to see if the TCS switch is there...

I would think it'd be missing since mine is only 1 step up from the Base, but I ahve seen the "slip" light come on recently (hehehehe) around some corners with elevation changes.

Also, I prefer Cusco over KAAZ, but if the KAAZ doesn't require me to replace the axles, I'd go with them, no problem.

-Chet

[PalmerWMD]

Chet:

All enthusists have VLSD and TCS.

TCS off button, is on bottom LEFT (edit) next to steering wheel.

Fred..

[Exar-Kun]

Sooo..I have a VLSD? Sweet deal. I just saw the TCS button on my lunch drive...I didn't know it also had a VLSD

(Man, I should -know- this stuff)

unfortunately as my S-chassis knowledge grew, my upkeep of Z chassis knowledge kinda stagnated..time to jump start it this week...

Thanks Fred!-Chet

[PalmerWMD]

Sooo..I have a VLSD? Sweet deal. I just saw the TCS Thanks Fred!-Chet

No problem..

Fred..