Discussion
Has anybody tried the OS Giken limited slip diff in their car (NA/NB version)? I'm trying to work out what I should do when the car is in the UK. As it's an open diff now then I was thinking it would be good to get an LSD for winter (plus for fun)! I've noticed the car was worse in the snow compared to my previous 10AE with the Torsen LSD. Since it's an everyday car and we can (will have!) snow for around 6 months of the year I was thinking it would be worth getting a clutch LSD since the Torsen one has problems when one wheel has no grip (had this in the previous car). It's expensive, but because it would be useful for so long was thinking it's worth the investment. Plus car should be a long term keeper.
It seems to be one of these things that very few have used it due to the cost versus value of the car (can just buy a better car which will be cheaper than doing all the expensive mods). Since cars are so much more expensive here then it makes it possible to modify without going into the getting a better car price range - or at least not as much. All the reviews seem to be good, but not really come across any for the earlier cars, just a few for NC models or other makes.
What is the particular attraction of the OS Giken as a plate diff? Are they widely available here? I have seen Kaaz and Cusco diffs for sale in the UK.
Ashcroft Transmissions are offering an ATB-like diff for the 1.8 for £300-ish. Might be worth considering if you can live with Torsen characteristics and the handbrake trick for really difficult conditions.
Proper snow tyres would be cheaper and the handbrake trick sometimes works for an open diff too ...
Ashcroft Transmissions are offering an ATB-like diff for the 1.8 for £300-ish. Might be worth considering if you can live with Torsen characteristics and the handbrake trick for really difficult conditions.
Proper snow tyres would be cheaper and the handbrake trick sometimes works for an open diff too ...
Snow tyres will be on anyway, including spikes. However from experience sometimes this isn't enough in some conditions. Where I am now is worse in regards to hills than when I had the previous car, and there's a hill I have to take to work that I know will be an issue if I have to stop. I'd prefer not to have to go back 700m or so to be able to try and get the momentum to go up it again, especially considering the comments I would get from colleagues, 
The reason for the OSG diff is it has very good reviews in regards to reliability and the way it handles - apparently much better than the Kaaz (although from the price you would expect that). I haven't see the other two so will look them up. With the car being used so much in the snow then I was thinking it's better to have something that will help as much as possible (clutch type LSD), rather than hoping it will help a bit in regards to the Torsen/ brake trick!
If things go as planned it should be getting supercharged and power taken up to around 220hp, so that would be another reason to not go for the Torsen diff. Saying that the power may not be the best thing to have on a winter car,
Reliability is very important as the reason I would be taking the car to the UK is labour costs here in Norway - it's around £1300 to change 4 valves! So wanting to avoid something that has a higher potential to break. Warrently will not matter much as it's a few thousand mile trip so likely if anything went wrong it would be very difficult to take it back.
The reason for the OSG diff is it has very good reviews in regards to reliability and the way it handles - apparently much better than the Kaaz (although from the price you would expect that). I haven't see the other two so will look them up. With the car being used so much in the snow then I was thinking it's better to have something that will help as much as possible (clutch type LSD), rather than hoping it will help a bit in regards to the Torsen/ brake trick!
If things go as planned it should be getting supercharged and power taken up to around 220hp, so that would be another reason to not go for the Torsen diff. Saying that the power may not be the best thing to have on a winter car,
Reliability is very important as the reason I would be taking the car to the UK is labour costs here in Norway - it's around £1300 to change 4 valves! So wanting to avoid something that has a higher potential to break. Warrently will not matter much as it's a few thousand mile trip so likely if anything went wrong it would be very difficult to take it back.Edited by NRS on Wednesday 17th July 13:58
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