2G Rear LSD Upgrade + Bushing Install

So I was having severe wheel hop issues in my 99 GSX last year when launching which ended up causing two snapped axles within a few weeks of one another. I decided to upgrade the differential bushings as a result, and had a friend machine me a custom set out of Delrin.

I also discovered from this video that my factory rear Viscous LSD is completely pooched, so I picked up an Evo 8 rear pumpkin which has a clutch type LSD. I also ordered a 12 plate MAXGRIP upgrade kit which I will be installing for better lockup. This should totally transform the way the car handles and allow it to power-on oversteer much easier and quicker which is swell!

Here's a few pics of my progress so far..

The rear differential bushings:


Driveshaft and Exhaust Removed:



There's the pesky bushings:


Subframe out, left bushing is OK, right is destroyed:




The bushing on the diff itself is also toast:


Rubbish:


Evo 8 LSD vs OEM 2G DSM Open Diff

Donor Evo Pumpkin and a 2G NON-LSD pumpkin (required for Evo LSD install):
[img]http://www.gregus.ca/pics/gsx_lsd_bushings_10.JPG[/img]

She's gone byes!
[img]http://www.gregus.ca/pics/gsx_lsd_bushings_11.JPG[/img]

Wow Greg, a lot of progress for one night! I wonder if my rear diff bushings are as bad as yours were...

Looks good gregus!

I'm thinking mine are toast too, I got bad wheel hop the night before tranny # 3 blew up LOL

Never knew the evo 8 parts could be swapped, good info to know. So it bolts right in to our rear diff housing (only the non LSD version though)? What axles are then required to run?

When I did the awd swap, I installed the UMS urthane diff bushings, so far so good for me, but I'd like to get a stronger diff cover in the future, just to be on the safe side. I'm surprised you didn't take out your cover vs only the axles? (or is that how you destroyed the axles?)

The LSD unit in the Evo 3-9 rear diffs (Non-ACD only) are all the same.. And yes it will only fit into a NON-LSD DSM pumpkin with NON-LSD axles. The passenger side LSD axle has a longer inboard spline that goes into the differential and it doesn't fit. I believe the drivers side LSD axle will work though.

No damage was done to my diff cover.. just some sheared off axles which i'm hoping was due to the violent wheel hopping in the rear.

I also read somewhere that a Viscous LSD wears out over time as the fluid inside breaks down, and any VLSD with 100k+ on it is likely operating as an open diff! Even when the VLSD is working, it takes on the order of 2-3 seconds before achieving full lockup which is just unacceptable for AutoCross when you're roasting the inside rear tire coming out of a turn.. Now i'll be able to kick the arse out coming out of that turn - yeehaw!

More pics of the 12-plate upgrade and re-installation to follow..

Wow, awesome!
If your bushings are toast I can't imagine how bad mine are with the mileage on my car.

Who's the 12 plate upgrade from?

http://www.weirperformance.com/maxgriplsdkits.html

Sorry for bringing up a dead threat guys, but how did the swap go Greg? I would love to do this to my non lsd diff. So It's a direct swap just take the guts out of an lsd evo 3-8 and put it in my non lsd housing?

Oops forgot to come back and update this.

The upgrade was a success and it works awesome! I still have not installed the 12-plate upgrade but even just the stock Evo LSD made a huge difference in the way the car handles.

Nick since you already have a non-LSD, this is a direct drop in with your existing axles and LSD housing.

Okay perfect! I will deffinatley be doing this swap come spring time! Thanks for the write up Greg!

No problem if you have any questions when it comes time to do the swap just let me know!

Does this swap work in a 1G AWD ? I think my 93 stock LSD is also toast and was looking for an upgrade for road racing. I know Shep Racing was doing something with an EVO3 upgrade which also required different shafts or cups.

.............And 3 years later, I finally get back to this and install the Weir Performance 12 plate MAXGRIP LSD upgrade kit!















Original plates and center spider section


New vs old, 1 extra disc on each side


Lick of paint!

Outstanding!

Looking good b'y.

Did you re-shim it or just reuse what you had since none of the bearings were changed?

Everything went back in as-is. Bearings and diff cover all looked to be in good shape so i'm going to run them!

Looks good Greg!!! Anyone selling a rear diff setup?