Thread: Limited slip diff choices for S14?

If anyone can help me here with 1st hand info I would surely appreciate it. I have a '96 240SX (207k miles!!) and I'm looking to upgrade my leaking stock open diff to a limited slip. It is currently leaking drips of oil at the pinion seal. I talked to Courtesy and they have a GT LSD Pro Nismo Hi-po limited slip that supposedly retails for $1600 that they would sell me for $900. I also see the 1.5 Nismo limited slip is readily available for a tick over $700 from mynismo.com and other sources. I have to assume these are two different diffs for such a diference in prices. My question is does anyone have experience with the 1.5 Nismo unit? It looks like it would be fairly simple to swap the diff in using the stock pumpkin. Anyone have any idea what the difference is between these units. Are there aftermarket models you would recommend over Nismo or OEM? I occasionally track this car but it's mainly used on the street. I was down at Buttonwillow Raceway in California a couple weeks ago and my car was great except for peg legs on certain lower speed corners. I would be willing to pay 700 for this diff and possibly 200 in labor as long as I won't have bad street experiences with this. It sounds like a 1.5 clutch type unit works strangely on braking and I'm concerned about that for street use? Thanks again in advance!
-James

Have you considered an S15 HLSD? You can find good deals on ebay occasionally.

Thanks for that tip. That should be a direct bolt in upgrade? Thanks for your help!

Check the old forum (sr20forum.com) in the 240sx tech section, I did a big writeup on the S15 diff install into an S13 pumpkin. It would apply to S14 as well. Should tell you everything you need to know.

FWIW, I would never want a clutch-type diff of any kind for a street-driven car. Noisy, clunky, etc. Helical diff is invisible, and much nicer to live with.

Kent, Thanks for the great write-up! I just ordered the S15 diff with shafts for $500 from the same vendor. It doesn't come with the other pieces (the side seals and rear gasket) you mentioned in your write up but I will order those from Courtesy. Do you recommend I change out any other hardware at the same time or I should be good? This is going in my stock open diff S14, do you think I will need the shimsl? Do you think redline gear oil is a good choice or should I go with a blend as you did? My local mechanic says he can do the install for $300 or less. Do you think that is a reasonable cost? Thank you for all the help!!

James

Take it from me, Kent's right. I have an ATS two way metal clutch-type diff, and it's a pain in the butt to drive on the streets with that diff. I am looking to sell off the diff soon so that I can go with an S15 diff and get some peaceful driving.

Those clutch diffs make a lot of noise like the Nismo LSD?

Yes.

The Nismo LSD is clutch-type.

Clutch-type diffs are noisy.

Therefore, the Nismo diff is noisy.

That said, I've never ridden in a car that has one so I really can't say. I've driven a car with a Kaaz 1.5-way clutch type diff and I'll never own one unless it's on a dedicated track car.

I didn't know the nismo was a clutch type. good to know.

you can use a infiniti j30 diff its a direct bolt on and also you can find one for under 200 for the whole pumpkin