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Differential Review: OEM->JDM->Quaife->OS GIken

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    Differential Review: OEM->JDM->Quaife->OS GIken

    I've had the privilege (or bad luck, depending on how you look at it) of trying different differentials on my FN2, thought, I'd share my impressions.
    Started with the OEM open diff to a Quaife, which then broke to be replaced with a JDM LSD, and replaced again with an OS Giken 1.1-Way.
    Would be interested to see what other people are doing with their gearbox as well. Car is running about 192wHp with KW coilovers and a variety of street tires as well as semi slicks.

    OEM Open Diff

    Anyway, the FN2 gearbox has same ratios as FD2R (i.e. 5.1 Final Drive)
    But comes with an open differential from factory (at least the pre-2009 model)
    Not much to say about open diff really, what a PoS. Understeer was the name of the game, can't put any sort of power down unless the wheel was straight. If I throttle too early in the corner, I just ended up washing wide.

    OEM Torsen Diff

    Day to day, I don't actually notice the diff, it's smooth and quiet. But most of you guys would know that considering they came like that standard on the DC5R! On track the difference is quiet obvious, you don't have to put the power down so late in the corner. Though you gain traction, it doesn't seem to help the car turn much. I still have to sensitively feather the throttle here and there, it’s still quite easy to overwork the diff, especially on really tight turns where most of the cars weight shifts to the outside.

    Quaife Torsen Diff

    A bit more of the same really, the difference that I can feel on track is, the Quaife has a slight "tuck-in" affect. Where if you apply throttle, the front end will turn better. Great advantage over the OEM diff as it allowed me to start applying throttle before the apex of the corner. I was quite happy with it till it broke! Was doing a 6000rpm launch at the drag strip with 235 semi slicks, and the side gears failed, sending shrapnel all over the gearbox. Lucky it didn't damage anything. I've never heard of a Quaife failing so I’m assuming I just got a weak one.

    OS Giken Limited Slip Diff

    I pondered long and hard what to replace the Quaife with wasn't sure if I wanted to go plate type for fear of maintenance requirements and noise. My mechanic insisted I go plate type for the traction and strength. But I’ve ridden on a few FWDs with Kaaz LSD and it was clunky ass! But then I tried my Wuism's DC5R with an ATS/Carbonetics Carbon LSD and it was silent and smooth, so plate type doesn't have to be noisy at all. The thing that put me off the ATS LSD was it recommended you change the gearbox oil every 5000Km and it was very picky on what oil you can use. I wasn't up for spending $150 on gearbox oil every 5000km, so I kept looking.

    Then I got this email from OS Giken USA

    For our OS Super Lock LSDs we recommend
    Using full synthetic fluid (GL-5 or higher)
    With a grade of at least 75w140. In Japan,
    we use our OS Giken 250R (80W250) oil and will
    soon make it available here in the US.

    Lighter oil will not hurt the differential,
    but you may get some occasional noise.
    As long as it is full synthetic, you will be fine.

    We recommend that you change your fluid after the
    first 3000 miles or first track day after installing
    an OS Giken LSD to ensure any foreign particles are
    flushed. From that point, however, we recommend you change
    fluid as per the normal OE maintenance schedule.

    We have had vehicles in Japan using the OS 250R oil go
    up to 150k km without and oil change and not harm the
    Differential. However, we do not recommend it.


    As far as mechanical maintenance, we have not had a differential
    failure nor rebuild of any production OS Giken unit in almost 9yrs!

    From Website:
    OS Giken now proudly introduce our OS Super Lock LSD after 3 years of research and development. This limited-slip differential is derived from our experience of automotive drive train engineering since the 1980's.

    It has unique and epoch making-making technologies with adjustable lock timing adjuster. Incredibly durable and reliable, as only the best materials are used for this LSD, regardless of the production cost. Gears are all hot forged, which improves the precision of the product. It also enables us to miniturize each gear, thus providing more space for friction plates. US patent pending bevel gear-in-pressure ring mechanism also allows more friction plates. Increased number of friction plates improves the locking force of the LSD, as it generates less heat, resulting in higher durability even in the toughest racetrack environment.

    The higher locking force prevents a weaver action of the vehicle at the drag strip while its bevel gear-in-pressure mechanism allows easier drive feel, close to an OEM diff, during ordinary operations such as parking the car. This mechanism brought another favourable characteristic: it reduces the impact when the power load is applied, preventing the sudden traction change during cornering, or a sudden "pop", making it easier to trace the line. It also produces less mechanical clicking noises.
    I was sold on the idea, and sure enough, as promised I have a Silent LSD!
    I put some 75w90 Motul Gear FF Type II in; the diff would only clunk on cold start, when its up to temperature it’s absolutely silent.

    At the circuit, the traction difference is like night and day! Absolutely phenomenal, front grip, anytime, anywhere. My limit of traction is now defined by suspension and tire setup. I have absolute confidence in front end grip. Being a 1.1-Way, the LSD doesn’t hamper turn in, and the moment I apply some throttle, it would pull me towards the apex, once I’m on the exit, it’s usually a no brainer foot flat to the floor. Loving it

    #2
    Nice Write Up man,

    Glad to hear the OS Giken is working out well for you, But what a pain replacing the diff 4 times!

    Do you mind me asking how much the OS unit Set you back $$ wise?

    Comment


      #3
      Excellent review! Thank very much for sharing.

      Opening up the gearbox that many times would of cost a fortune.

      Comment


        #4
        lucky for me FN2 gearbox is easy to take out
        just one cross beam and one mount, off it goes.
        well not quite like that, but you get the idea.
        Also lucky for me I found the LSD at Yahoo Auction Y40500 muahaha

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by lukits01 View Post
          lucky for me FN2 gearbox is easy to take out
          just one cross beam and one mount, off it goes.
          well not quite like that, but you get the idea.
          Also lucky for me I found the LSD at Yahoo Auction Y40500 muahaha
          Great write up, thanks for sharing
          40500yen, FARK! even i'd be laughing too.

          Comment


            #6
            Great write up! How many gearbox oil changes have you done so far? How often are you planning to change it?

            Comment


              #7
              Im planning to keep the oil for 20,000Km
              but maybe a bit sooner if it starts to make noise

              Comment


                #8
                I've just ordered a Cusco Type RS, ill let u know of the differences compared to the missing one on Type S.
                Nankangs, Better than Your-Mums-Cans

                * Please note, I hate Nankangs.

                Comment


                  #9
                  ^ lol there is nothing to compare it with then =S

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Cusco was one of the LSDs I was considering, was told the RS (and even the MZ) was smooth and silent when used with Motul Gear FF.

                    I've driven a friends FN2 with Spoon LSD, that was also silent when warm, another great diff on the track. But I generally dont like Spoon products, so never considered it.

                    Comment


                      #11
                      damn mannn! im keen on changing lsd and clutch kit, but it cost so much for it to be installed LOL... how the hell did u afford 4 openings of the gearbox!

                      how much does the OS GIken retail for?

                      Comment


                        #12
                        Originally posted by lukits01 View Post
                        Also lucky for me I found the LSD at Yahoo Auction Y40500 muahaha
                        the seller in yahoo jp still around? is he an auto-parts trader?
                        i WANT one

                        Comment


                          #13
                          Originally posted by dr.k20z1 View Post
                          damn mannn! im keen on changing lsd and clutch kit, but it cost so much for it to be installed LOL... how the hell did u afford 4 openings of the gearbox!

                          how much does the OS GIken retail for?
                          technically its 3 openings, but who's counting ahaha
                          a reply from OTOMOTO

                          Originally posted by OTOMOTO

                          Sorry for our late reply, the DC5 LSD is $2895, service intervals are 20,000km in normal driving. Standard Honda gearbox oil can be used.

                          OS Giken have found that the Superlock Centres are still functional after 80,000km.
                          A replacement clutch pack is around one third the price of the complete unit.
                          Originally posted by K.C. View Post
                          the seller in yahoo jp still around? is he an auto-parts trader?
                          i WANT one
                          well it's yahoo auction, just a matter of luck isnt it
                          here's the Honda Transmission Parts page
                          http://search1.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/...ds&o1=a&mode=2

                          Comment


                            #14
                            Originally posted by lukits01 View Post
                            Cusco was one of the LSDs I was considering, was told the RS (and even the MZ) was smooth and silent when used with Motul Gear FF.
                            Yes, very smooth and silent when used with Motul FF LSD Type II oil. It's good shit. I replace my oil with my Cusco dif every 10,000km's or 2 track days.


                            Originally posted by ChargeR
                            Evo is faster. Only buy the FD2R if you are a Honda fanboy. I would buy the FD2R. I am a Honda fanboy.

                            Comment


                              #15
                              Originally posted by lukits01 View Post
                              technically its 3 openings, but who's counting ahaha
                              a reply from OTOMOTO
                              hahaha my mistake LOL

                              can u pm me roughly how much it cost u each time?

                              Comment

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