We got snow and sleet today. I decided to take my GS out to see if my newly installed 3.76 lsd made any difference from the last time I had the car in snow with out it. Using snow mode, I did notice better traction especially going up grade. There were fewer tendencies for the rear tires to start spinning. My current winter setup is pilot sport all season and we all know the tires are not too swift in snow. I think that with a good set of set of snow & ice tires, handling would be even better. However here’s a word of caution:
I found an empty parking lot and decided to see what happens with power mode on and vsc off. From a standstill, I gave it about 2/3rd’s throttle and a slight turn of the wheel: the rear end “kicked” out 90 degrees instantly!. I tried it again keeping the wheel straight and the rear kicked out about 30 degrees instantly. Conclusion: The lsd definitely helps to provide better traction when used with snow mode and vsc but it will also get you in trouble a whole lot faster when power mode is on and vsc is off.

 

hey sounds like you are having a lot of fun with the lsd there man. glad to hear that the lsd helps so much in the snow, though i guess i will just say that driving in the snow, be careful

congrats on the mod again

 

I was wondering if the Snow Mode still functioned when you changed the LSD and the TC. These mods always sounded great, but here in Colorado I need to have the Snow Mode for everyday winter driving.

Does anyone know if the Snow Mode still works with these mods...?? I remember reading about the check engine light poping up when you replace the TC, but no news on the functionality of the Snow Mode.

 

I don't have the TC but I can say Snow mode works with lsd. As for cel, I understand that 430's will most likely will have that problem. I do remember one cl member saying he did not have the cel go on after install of TC.

 

Thanks
Now that I know what the car is capable of doing, I would never even consider turning off vsc on snow while driving in traffic. But...empty parking lots, well that's jut pure fun.

 

rheiy- you don't get any cel with the 3.76 lsd on your 430? I thought even just the 3.76 diff causes cel on 430?

 

chuckb - I do not have cel light with lsd. From what I heard it's just the TC that can cause it..

 

Chuck you need to get this. You'll love it. I think it is a must have.

The 3.76 just smokes the stock diff. And it definitely helps in snow.

You won't have any problem with the engine light.




3dog

ps if you get one and don't like it sell it to me and I'll put it on wifes car

 

chuck: Best money I ever spent. Only regret is that I didn't do it sooner.

 

Thanks Ivan and Rheiy- My warranty runs out in a few months so we'll see what happens.I plan to start mods after that. At least some bilsteins/eibach to start.
You know what stinks, I just had my entire stock diff replaced by dealer under warranty about 2000 miles ago. That thing is barely broke in. Too bad they couldn't have given me a 3.76 LSD then.

Where are your RPMs at 80mph with 3.76 diff?

oh yah Ivan-I think I'm good on the snow. We rarely even see 30s here I've never even used my heater or heated seats!

 

3000 @ 80mph
btw, what happen to the stock unit. According to my lexus tech, those things usually last the life of the car

 

yup like rheiy said, the cel is only coz' of the tc. the lsd won't cause any problem on the cel

 

it's about 3000 when it's going at 80. the rpm is pretty much about 300rpm higher than the stock one across the speed

 

my rear end was making a humming sound at about 60mph when I let off the gas. Car only had 23k miles! they replaced rear diff and driver's side halfshaft

 

at least the problem is solved