I need a new diff.. well I want a new diff..and mine's noisy..so..I need a new diff.

[Warranty Void]

Who can fill me in about diffs that will fit under my VP V8 with a live rear end?
My current diff is noisy (pinion bearing I'm told) and that makes me sad.
I want a LSD diff with 3.4 gears or thereabouts, then I will be happy again!
What's the best way to make this happen?
Also I'm posting this in "V8" section 'cos it's a diff for a V8.

[mischa]

Cost me around $900 to get 3.45 and a LSD reconditioned and installed, and that was with supply of gears and LSD center.

[sam5l]

yeh probly 1k

[Warranty Void]

I've been offered 345 gears for $150 and a recoed lsd centre for $350 and a re-race and seals etc for $450, sooo.... $950.
I might have to skip the lsd if I don't have the $$

[sam5l]

yeh nah wait for the lsd so much better

[Warranty Void]

You reckon the lsd makes much difference apart from off the line and preventing those embarassing "single pegger" burnout moments?

[dirt drifter]

hell yeah, trust me save the extra coin and get an lsd of some sort, they got way better power down out of corners. u will be kicking yourself afterwards if u dont

[sam5l]

yeh bro not to mention the power output is evenly spred so you are getting your power down evenly and probly getting more down

[Warranty Void]

OK I'm convinced, lsd is go!
I'll post on the difference if anyone's thinking along similar lines.

[mischa]

I will never get a car without a LSD again, as everyone said apart from the obvious it puts power down way better out of corrners!

[eaton v8]

just put a mini spool in it with your 3.45 gears thats the cheapest way and there fun.

[Darren_L]

VN-VS are probably the easiest of the Commdores to find an LSD. There were heaps of them released with LSD, and they all have the 28 spline axles. They also are all the same width unlike the earlier models.

LSD is also much easier to control when you slide the car. As long as you keep the boot in, you can steer the rear end.
Open centre diffs usually end up fish tailing, eventually throwing you into a unrecoverable spin.
Mini-spools aren't a good idea on the street. Apart from them being illegal, you get absolutely no diff action - so the back end may as well be on ice skates in the wet, and it can also wind up the axles on tight turns (particularly with wide tyres).

[Blown V6 Hatch]

They also are all the same width unlike the earlier models.

No, that's wrong. VR-VS are 10mm longer a side than VN-VP. Also, VN-VP wagon & ute are 10mm longer a side than VN-VP sedan. VR-VS are all the same length. Also, ute and wagon have different shock mounts to sedan. So, no they're not all interchangeable (with stock wheels, there's no dramas, but wide wheels will probably present a problem).

[Troy5L]

LSD is also much easier to control when you slide the car. As long as you keep the boot in, you can steer the rear end.

i agree and disagree, i had a lsd with 3.45 diff gears in my vs clubsport, it was a good diff and predictable but when i changed to a 3.9 mini spool i felt that i had more control if the car slides out because i know what the car will do.

Mini-spools aren't a good idea on the street. Apart from them being illegal, you get absolutely no diff action - so the back end may as well be on ice skates in the wet, and it can also wind up the axles on tight turns (particularly with wide tyres).

mini spools are fine if the driver isnt an absolute dick when driving the car, touch wood but i havent had an accident while ive had the spool. it doesnt fishtail in the wet also i get good traction round courners also when its wet..if you dont drive like a wanka then u wont loose traction, its simple..but i do agree that it makes the wheels skip when turning when going slow

[Warranty Void]

Doesn't mini-spool = fully locked axle? Like welding up the diff?
I've pretty much committed to 3.45 gears for $150, recoed LSD set for $350 and re-race $450 =$950 all up.
How much is mini-spools these days?

[eaton v8]

$150 i love mine but i see this thread going like the others in the pros and cons of it all. i got sick of rebuilding my lsd and paying others to do it. 3rd time round the diff place said just put the mini spool in it will solve all your problems just dont be a dick with it and remember you have it in the wet then you will be fine. i would have nothing else but that is me.

[Warranty Void]

But is mini-spool = fully locked axle? Like welding up the diff?
Or is there still some freedom round corners and U turns?
I'm all for permanent solutions but is this over the top for a street vehicle?
Why can't I stop thinking about the movie "Kick Ass"?
What's with all these questions anyway, who am I etc....

[sam5l]

hahaha yeh mate nah with a locker u run the risk of breaking axles and its defectable also if u not used to it it could be dangerous but i dunno i prefer a 2way mech lsd or standard lsd

[eaton v8]

i always hear you will do an axle with a locker well mine was blowen, flogged [ ill own up to it not proud but i did it ]and driven every day and with slicks down the drags launching it at 4grand and there still the same ones, the t5 died first. in a blue bird or a old crap box like that its a fair call. do you have kids if not i still say a locker save all the hassels. i think those diffs just like to be rebuilt the just never stand the test of time. but i have had the ute 10years.

[eaton v8]

But is mini-spool = fully locked axle? Like welding up the diff?
Or is there still some freedom round corners and U turns?
I'm all for permanent solutions but is this over the top for a street vehicle?
Why can't I stop thinking about the movie "Kick Ass"?
What's with all these questions anyway, who am I etc....

yes
no but u turns are easy and quick
maybe [i think no everyone is diffrent]
dont know

[Warranty Void]

I can't be having a locked diff with passengers and kids in the car, it is driven daily after all. Well I know a bit more about diffs now.
Anyone want to comment on the 3.45 gears versus the 3.08 gears? I'm getting the 3.45s but I want to know how much difference they'll make.
The movie "Kick Ass" is just so cool! I love Hit Girl! Ba-na-na na-na-na-na, ba-na-na na-na-na-na, one banana two banana three banana four.....

[eaton v8]

first and second in a manual seem to rev the same and feel the same [ i know it is diffrent] but in 3rd onwards is where i saw it rev and wind the speedo quicker in every gear. it seems to be in the perfect zone for the engine. they should have come out with them. it is better for towing loads overtaking people with a trailer on but throws the speedo out at 60kmph by 10kmph [if i remember right or well close to it]

[Warranty Void]

Oh I forgot about that aspect, there should be some adjustment available?

[dirt drifter]

yeah u can get speedo corrector boxes that are wired into the speedo sender wire and mess with it to give accurate speedo readings. i know mal wood auto in warwick sells them for $300-400 but i'm stuffed if i can remember the brand name.

lower gears make ya speedo read higher so its not the end of the world if its not reading right. if whats on the sign matches whats on the dial u will never ever get a ticket!

[Warranty Void]

I'll probably put together a Jaycar kit to correct the speedo, I'm pretty sure they make one.