What would I be missing if I don't get the Limited Slip Differencial? Does it help in snow?

 

Yeah, it will help in all slippery conditions because it allows both wheels to get traction. However, the real reason for it is to get power applied coming out of a corner.

 

Limited Slips are great for general accleration/traction issues, no matter what the conditions. If you have any plans on bumping the motor up, I would not pass this option up. Its not just a "safety" feature...it's a power enhancer. LSDs help you get the power to the pavement. Don't go without it.

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Premium/Winter/Aero
69 Chevelle BB/4.11's

 

It's an option on the coupe, not available on the sedan.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

On the Coupe, it only comes with the "Performance Wheel Package".... which is unfortunate, because I don't want the 18" (plan on getting 20"s) or the metal-looking trim (if I get the willow interior), just the LSD =/

 

First off all, I would like to say that I'm not interested in racing. That being said, I really don't want to buy the tire package and then have to buy winter/rain(all season) tires.

What I am most worried about is driving in snow.

Now I know that the car has Vehicle Dynamic Control / Stability Control System. Would these systems prevent one wheel from spinning by breaking it, thus giving power over to the non-spinning tire? Or would it just reduce the engine power to try to prevent it from spinning? Or both?

 

It will retard the engine and apply the brakes on the spinning wheel. So, yes to both.

INFINITI
Service Consultant

 

Learn2Turn is right but you will not get the power to transfer to the other wheel. That is the job of the LSD. If your concern is the power transfer from wheel to wheel then you are really stuck. The LSD is what you need but if the power transfer is not important then go without the LSD.

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Premium/Winter/Aero
69 Chevelle BB/4.11's

 

the electronic differential lock (sorry if I'm using VW/Audi terms) brakes the spinning wheel(s).

The traction control system (all-speed) supplies the fuel cut.

 

ABS system is used to stop/slow spinning wheel. No locks in an open dif-nothing inside to perform the "lock function". You need a LSD/Posi system for "locks". Air lockers bend this rule(open diff when they ware not engaged) but they are not used on production vehicles. They can be bought and installed though Traction control can also be another butterfly in the intake that disrupts the air flow. This "chokes" the air to the engine for a moment.

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Premium/Winter/Aero
69 Chevelle BB/4.11's

 

IF Learn2Turn is right about the Vehicle Dynamic Control / Stability Control System braking only the spinning tire, this will give more power to the non spinning tire. In essence, the break is acting like a lock.

 

Yes,kind of a "lock"...more like a brake which is what it is doing. No power will be sent to the other wheel. The transfer is done by the LSD/Posi unit. It is a mechanical device that is installed in the diff. By appling the brake to a spinning wheel, it only slows that wheel-that alone does not transfer the power to the other wheel. Without a LSD/Posi you are not going to get the engine's power to the other wheel.

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Premium/Winter/Aero
69 Chevelle BB/4.11's

 

It doesn't work that way,would be nice and there would be no need for a Posi. The way the gears are cut and the setup of the rearend(diff) dictate that the power goes to the right rear tire. If you apply a brake force to that wheel(right) as it spins a very small amount of power does go to the other wheel(left) but not enough to propel the vehicle. Try this: lift the entire rear of the vehicle off the ground and start it. You will see that both tires spin. Now put ti in gear and rev the engine. Both tires spin but the left rear is about a 5% of the right. Put that to the ground and you don't get a transfer of power from right to left,what you get is the right tire slowing until it regains grip and the computer removing the brake force. Do a burner if you want proof of what tires leaves a trail. You will not find matching pairs of black tire goodness...just one long trail from the right rear. Sorry, I wish the computer could do it-we would all have cheap Posi and the advantage of an open diff.

03.5 Sedan/B. Silver/Premium/Winter/Aero
69 Chevelle BB/4.11's