How the Nismo GT Pro Limited Slip Differential Works, How to Adjust It... And Why You Want One!

This week Mike takes apart a Nismo GT Pro limited slip differential to show how it works and shows us a few unique features to the Nismo diff that are pretty cool! Mike also looks at the Z1 Motorsports differential cover that is almost a necessity if you drive a Nissan 350Z or 370Z hard on the track!
LINKS:
READ MORE on MotoIQ.com! www.motoiq.com/
FOLLOW US on Instagram: / motoiq
LIKE US on Facebook: / motoiq

[@dni_g3533]

This is by far the best and only way I've been able to understand a limited slip differential. Thank you!

[@motoiq]

Glad it helped!

[@backnunAndy]

Why KZbin didn't lead me to this channel for such a long time! I am just pleasing to watch all of your video clips! Thanks!

[@Understeerking]

I've been using nismo diff for over 15 years. I love them

[@redline350zHR]

I watched this entire video with 100% attention due to the way you explain things Mike. As always LOVE the channel & thank you for this very clear and straightforward explanation, as well as full demonstration 🔥🙌👍

[@AMWHits]

Hey the 97-99 4th Gen Maxima in the back. My first car and probably the best Maxima made from Nissan that looked better than anything infiniti had made at the time.

[@-Just_Justin-]

First time seeing this channel. I love this dude's personality, he is so chill. I even got to learn a few things.

[@dbnpoldermans4120]

"differential could overpower the tires". I had to pause for a minute to think about that. What a great explanation! Excellent video! Thanks man

[@jasonpensy8043]

Thanks Mike for all the detailed info as always!

[@jorden5652]

Great breakdown, super cool to see how they work

[@MrJuvidj]

Thanks brotha, what a great video, very informative.

[@m.m8760]

Great explanation Mike. Top shelf!

[@Wormweed]

Very interesting and informative, always wondered how they work.

[@christianhopland9204]

Thanks for the very informative and good video sir! Have this exact same diff in my Bnr32 and was always courious how the pre-load function worked,now i know. Installing it is the best mod i`ve done to the car by far! transformed the car in a really good way

[@motoiq]

Glad it was helpful!

[@wright5111]

MotoIQ bringing the heat once again! I’ve learned so much on this channel that it’s criminal…keep up the amazing content!

[@JordieG8]

Very informative! Thanks!

[@michaelbass4305]

Thanks for the great videos guys...and thanks for fully diving into my NISMO differential. The wpc, and cryo treatment, along with the redline friction modifier keeps the differential a lot quieter on the street..and after mike adjusted it, it stopped cracking on me at the track...damn thing sounded like a machine gun before Mike fixed it for me....thanks again, ill be returning soon for a full spl suspension setup.

[@crabwalker61]

Appreciate! Good Video! I love this content! Thx!

[@___gumbi]

Great video!

[@Kiret123]

thanks sensei!

[@Persocondes]

i Smashed that like button! shared and commented for the algorithm !

[@timworley8285]

wow great presentation...

[@redline350zHR]

Agreed

[@dashiznit89]

I need a 1.5way in my Z31, WITH the WPC surface treatment of course!!!!

[@WadLecool]

Such a legend

[@Subielicious22]

Brilliant explanation…. I thought I understood how an LSD worked… and now I know! Content like this is priceless… keep up the good work!

[@motoiq]

Glad you liked it!

[@Ghostman86]

Awesome content man! I really like stuff like this cause it's more than just basic info, it's a more advanced and on another level. Good stuff. I like that idea obout shims for more lock and moving the clutches for less lock up. Thanks and keep up the good work. Any suggestions on a better than stock clutch for my 99 impeza outback sport? I have a cold air intake, and larger exhaust with equal length headers and a high flow cat, deleted the resonator, and have a high flow muffler. I also have some pretty wide tires, and with all these things together I've noticed some clutch slippage and feel the a step up or two couldn't hurt. Thanks and any help would be greatly appreciated!!

[@motoiq]

I think you can get away with a mild performance clutch. You should always get the least aggressive clutch for the application.

[@2spechitter]

please make a video on you pairing this to a final drive! thank you

[@andershaugen5463]

I thought I understood how those worked. I did not but now I do :)

[@tsodiplo]

Mr Mike I would love to hear any opinion you have on the ford focus rs mk3 , Amazing work as always great work

[@motoiq]

It sucks that Ford gave up on cars!

[@jonovoudouris]

Thanks Mike love the information you are providing. I have a stock GTR diff in my R32 drift car and had it rebuilt by a local diff specialist in Aus. It runs on a big oil cooler under the radiator. I have never thought about my diff since, 3 years of heavy competition abuse and it is amazing and the fact I never think about it means its working perfectly. Are there any diff setup tips for a drift car that you have found?

[@motoiq]

The hardest you can get it to lock the better for drifting.

[@aksfactory]

Would you recommend WPC for an LSD that'll be used for drifting?

[@troyfankell6581]

Thanks Mike. I have Kaaz in my GC Impreza and I was wondering why they bind and release so hard. I'll look into WPC the plates.

[@motoiq]

We also typically reduce the initial break away on a Kaaz by installing the softest cone spring and deactivate two clutches per side. Unless its for drifting or drag racing, then its full lock.

[@don.timeless4993]

awesome video! i wounder why big companies like Nissan not just putting there Wavetrac or Quaife instead of these corrodible clutchs. also Wavetrac & Quaife are automatic torque bias it's good for both daily driving & track & it doesn't need an expert driver to handle it

[@motoiq]

Many companies have these stock!

[@MrNikkydems]

Hi, Awesome info content!👍🏻What Diff would you run for an evo 8 6speed potentially for track and street? Thanks.

[@motoiq]

Evo 8's didnt come with a six speed unless you converted it with an Evo 9 MR gear box which isnt advisable because its weak. It depends what your use is but I would run an OSG rear diff and something like a wavetrac in the front

[@squattinginbelguim604]

Very well explained great video, I have one of these diffs and always thought it was a 2way, can you just explain to me about the 1.5 way side of the unit? As the pressure rings are angled for acceleration but flat on this unit for decel on the 1.5 setting? Looking at all the pics I can find on different units online they have ramp angles for acceleration and decel just not as much of a ramp for decel, and a 1way would be flat on the decel side if that makes sense, do you set the cross shaft so the flat edge is towards the ramp and the cam side towards the flat of the pressure ring? Or flat to flat? Would be great if you could please explain this piece of the unit

[@motoiq]

The cross shaft cam has a rounded profile

[@gracielkelly9645]

Can you guys do a video of ATB LSDs (quaife, wavetrac) and maybe a comparison with clutch based LSDs.

[@motoiq]

That is coming up soon, Gear type diffs work by the pinion gears driving the worm gears into the sides of the case to give the clutch action.

[@thehelix112]

Awesome vid as always Mike. Was looking closely and I am pretty sure the options there are 1 way or 1.5 way... The ramps are different on what you're saying is a 2 way (which is what gives it less lock on decel), and what you're saying is a 1.5 way clear only has a ramp on one side (and hence is a 1 way)? Or am I misunderstanding something?

[@motoiq]

The ramp shape of the pressure ring isn't the only factor, the other is the cam shape of the end of the cross shaft.

[@SkylineSiRB]

Very informative, thank you for sharing. Love my Nismo GT LSD in my R33. Mine is quiet noisy though at low speeds while turning. Normal? any preference on LSD oil or will the Nismo LS LSD oil be the best to quieten it down

[@motoiq]

Use a couple of bottles of Redline LSD additive. Should smooth it out.

[@Nismology33]

Very nice explanation and I'm digging the Maxima in the background. I used to own one and I turbocharged it 💯. Now I have a BCNR33 GT-R and actually about to take it the V-Spec ASLD and convert to Cusco 2 way. Would the Cusco be able to go to a 1.5 if I don't want the 2 way, like the NISMO? Thanks and keep up the awesome work 💯 from Okinawa Japan

[@motoiq]

Depending on the Cusco model, The RS and MZ can be set as one way or 2 way. The Hybrid can be set as a one way with varying aggressiveness in the ramp angle in 2 settings. If you want 2 way or 1.5 way you should go with an OSG.

[@Nismology33]

@@motoiq thanks for the response and appreciate the info 💯🙏🏾

[@rickyzuluaga2627]

Hello I have a mostly stock 350z (intake,exhaust,clutch,flywheel upgraded). 245's on rear. Daily drive/street. I got this diff and installed as-is @60% preload setting because I was considering x-cross and also dislike open diffs, by principle. But ever since i installed this diff, it clunks AGGRESIVELY in parking lots and really tight turns. I've tried like 6 different additives (separately of course), and up to 3x the dose, and that works...but only work for about a week or two. Also when the diff is warmed up (30 min of street driving), it reduces clunking noticeably too. I've driven on this setup for 5 years now, as my daily. At first i tried to dial it in with additives, but the past 3 years or so I resorted to finessing it and playing with the clutch and gas, as well as frequent diff oil swaps (every 5 engine oil changes or so). I want to solve this once and for all, do you recommend any tuning changes? I want it to be silky, but not slip/fail, and I'm running near stock power. Please help o' wise one. My initial guess would be deactivating some plates, and perhaps using that wpc process you mentioned. Thank you in advance. Also you have great videos and vibes : - )

[@motoiq]

WPC helps quite a bit but does not get rid of it entirely. The clunking is a characteristic of this particular diff. If you want less lock, you deactivate clutches but that doesnt affect clunking.

[@rickyzuluaga2627]

@@motoiq Ah that's unfortunate to hear. Isn't there something I can do? I'm tired of explaining to people that my car is not broken lol, and it's gotta take a toll on the car. At least an additive recommendation? (I've tried redline, purple, ford, Mobil 1, motul)

[@motoiq]

We use redline additive. All Salsbury (japanese type) type LSD's will clunk to some extent.

[@slfrules1]

Y'all should check the GKtech Pathfinder conversion diff cover! 2 studs but most trick about it is how it retains a lot of the OE cover dimensions around the ring gear to keep the fluid dynamics kosher. Gail Banks got a great series of videos about that fluid interface and how crucial keeping the fluid flow is to pinion oiling. Love seeing that diff open!! Never knew the difference between 1.5 and 2 way. One day, flat rate gods willing, i'ma have one set up in 1.5 way with WPC treated everything 'cause

[@motoiq]

I just watched the Gale Banks videos and learned something!

[@JustAnotherHouseCat]

When choosing a LSD it was between this and a OS Giken, and you guys convinced me on the OS

[@motoiq]

Even though this diff is good, we still Prefer the OS

[@FCustureri]

@MotoIQ any chance you could touch on the reasons why that tends to be a preferred diff vs others? Such as driving characteristics, tuneability, service life, or NVH? Just curious as it seems to be perhaps the most popular choice for track use, thanks!

[@motoiq]

@@FCustureri The tuneability. did you see our video on how to tune the OS?

[@FCustureri]

@MotoIQ no sir, I will give it a watch. Thanks!

[@motoiq]

@@FCustureri here is the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/rGS7l3WIh7mIirc

[@cypritchard2311]

Hi Mike. Thanks for this vid! We endurance race a 350Z in the Champcar and Lucky Dog series on road circuits (e.g. Road Atlanta, Watkins Glen, etc.). These are typically 7-8 hours races on Sat and another on Sun (but formats vary). We are limited on the modifications with can make under rule. We run the non-Nismo OEM LSD. These tend to wear out after a few races. We are considering the Nismo LSD because it's a "free" upgrade because it's considered OEM under rule. Heat is the enemy, as we have previously burned up LSDs during some races. Do you have a suggestion for this situation? Reliability and durability are the key factors. If it works well for sprints, but can't last for endurance racing, it's not good for us. Thanks!

[@motoiq]

You absolutely need to run a diff cooler if you run a mechanical LSD on these cars, they have poor airflow around the diff and they get super hot.

[@lambrosstamos4494]

Do you have an opinion about Drexler differentials?

[@motoiq]

We are about to test one in our R35 GT-R

[@elmoz122]

You guys ever work with ATS partial carbon diff with a 26 degree cam lock?

[@motoiq]

Yeah in a drift car and we went back to a spool, but that's drifting.

[@dnash0]

How do the results of changing preload differ from the results of swapping the plates and clutches around?

[@motoiq]

Preload changes the initial breakaway torque as we explained in the video. Switching plates around controls the total amount of lock.

[@konic40]

never seen those ways of adjusting it before

[@georgeokunev]

I just ordered 2x 1.5 way gt pro diffs for my R32 GTR. The car will be driven daily but the main purpose is drag and roll racing. Car is making over 1100hp at the wheels. How would you suggest I set up my diffs to find a balance between street driving and keeping maximum tracking for straight line racing. Wonderful video that swayed me to buy the Nismo diffs.

[@motoiq]

Put them in as is, they lock up pretty hard.

[@georgeokunev]

@@motoiq thank you will do.

[@brandonorozco6192]

Do you recommend a higher capacity back cover for a daily driver with a clutch type LSD?

[@motoiq]

if it is track driven and properly designed.

[@scadieee]

I plan on sending you guys my Nismo Pro GT LSD for the WPC treatment, is it possible if I tell you guys my power goals & tires, could you set it up lock wise ? I feel I could misplace clutches & ruin this diff

[@motoiq]

Sure we just did this for a Time Attack customer and he is really happy.

[@andrewv5838]

Mike can the nismo gt pro 2 way adjusted to a 1.5 way?

[@billamota]

no, the pro LSD can only be adjusted in how agressively it engages lock. once it is locked, the amount of lock on accel and deccel is the same.

[@jacksparrow5281]

I’ve got a ‘19 370Z 6spd with the viscous lsd. I do not track the car. But want the best performance I can get. Would you please recommend an lsd for my application? I was looking at the wavetrac, quaiffe, Nismo and Giken. Cost is not a big consideration. Would you pls recommend the best for my application which is spirited street driving - of course within the limits of the law. Thx much.

[@motoiq]

We really like the OS Giken.

[@garagefanatic7830]

Again with another excellent video with quality insight and information. Do you guys deal with these differentials or the OS with high horsepower rwd drag racing applications? If so, would the Nismo be a better application for adjustable locking over the OS? Thanks in advance!

[@motoiq]

This differential with its aggressive locking might be a good choice, KAZ or OS can be set up for aggressive locking as well.

[@garagefanatic7830]

@@motoiq would aggressive locking with the OS lose that smooth low power driving manners? Thanks for the reply btw!

[@motoiq]

@@garagefanatic7830 Yes it would, it would ratchet and jerk. WPC will help but it still won't be smooth.

[@billamota]

@@garagefanatic7830 my kazz 2way was very agresssively setup, you lose alot of drivability, but its good fun. I moved to a 1.5 way on the least agressive setting and it drives great.

[@garagefanatic7830]

@@billamota Awesome to hear! My drag car will see little to no street use pretty soon so i'll be looking to upgrade.

[@PsBuddha562]

Any advice or information about ATS Carbon Hybrid LSD? What experience do you have with Carbon LSD?

[@motoiq]

I haven't tried one but hear they are very smooth.

[@rjm7168]

That Z1 cover you held up is not a machined billet cover. It's obviously a machined casting. That doesn't make it bad - I'm sure it works fine - just wanted to clarify.

[@motoiq]

good catch

[@hyper8545]

👏

[@JDMAddiction-bv9mu]

How loud should a diff like this be? I have a Nismo LSD in my R34 and I put 1.5 bottles of Redline friction modifier into it over time because it seems so loud to me. Normally I'd only use 1 bottle in other cars. Should I be using a different friction modifier for this diff type? the car drives well and seems to lock up fine. It's just slow speed corners make a lot of noise unless I put the clutch in and coast them.

[@motoiq]

Friction modifier helps reduce the clunking and jerking. You can add two bottles if one didn't do it.

[@c.m.cunningham1175]

For a 07 Subaru Impreza, would you say a 1.5 rear & 1 for the front? Exploring Oregon (Daily driver / gravel, sand, dirt) 2" lift!

[@motoiq]

Yes or a gear type in the front. We like Wavetrack in the front of AWD cars.

[@maxymillion7480]

1 in front and 1.5 in the rear is a tarmac set up in a Subaru/Evo. For Gravel, 1.5 in the front is more common.

[@millionaire233]

Great Vid! Any plans on doing a LSD on the tundra?

[@motoiq]

We did a long time ago motoiq.com/project-tundra-getting-more-grip-with-an-auburn-gear-hp-limited-slip-differential/

[@millionaire233]

@@motoiq Amazing thank you!

[@mixxeerr]

How does one know how much preload is right for them? Also how does one know how much lock they need on accel/decel? Is it all experience?

[@motoiq]

by experimenting

[@aksfactory]

Do all Nismo GT Pro L.S.Ds come with two profiles for 2 and 1.5 way settings?

[@motoiq]

It comes set as a 1.5 way or 2 way but you can take it apart and reset it either way.

[@aksfactory]

@@motoiq Awesome, thank you very much, you guys are a godsend 🙏

[@nick39691]

What is wpc Can't really find anything online about it

[@motoiq]

We did a whole video on it.

[@jakethesnake1503]

Would like to know more about diff covers. If some are made with poor flow characteristics

[@motoiq]

We think capacity is important, since diffs are lubed by splash I dunno what flow you might be talking about

[@ALMX5DP]

@@motoiq maybe referring to videos made by Gale Banks? who has been advertising his diff covers for pickups recently.

[@motoiq]

@@ALMX5DP Got a link, I will check it out.

[@ALMX5DP]

@@motoiq kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYnKoaB4h5JmfMU I have no doubt of what it purports to achieve, but still am skeptical if it translates to real world advantages.

[@Chilicharger665]

@@motoiq kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXLQfZV9iNt4ick kzbin.info/www/bejne/b17ceGZ6aK91iNU kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYnKoaB4h5JmfMU Those are several examples of Gale's work on diff covers. I don't want to go rewatch all of them to figure out which one talks specifically about the improved flow the OP was talking about, but those should get you started. There might be more.

[@gabrielmarin4593]

Why would one choose this lsd over the os giken that everyone raves about or the tomei that is almost half the price?

[@motoiq]

We like the OS the best.

[@Sommyie]

Currently I have one sitting in a box .. waiting....

[@motoiq]

Put that sucker in!

[@niipheus]

Power is transmitted to the spinning wheel, not the torque. Torque is always 1:1 on an open diff The force to the clutch plates is not transmitted due to gears trying to run at different speeds so the pressure plates are spreading apart. The pressure plates are spreading apart due to the force exerted on them by the diff case regardless of the speed difference of the side gears It only has a 2-way cam or a 1-way cam. The flat spot on those slots you call 1.5 doesn't exert any force to clutches so there is no locking of any kind in that case, thus it's a 1-way

[@motoiq]

No the shape of the cam on the end of the cross shafts also dictates the action, not just the shape of the pressure ring ramps. The rest of what you are saying is semantics

[@weduhpeople8504]

It would be nice to see an animation of the lsd while he explains it.

[@motoiq]

yes it would!