Ive got a S5 GXl and im looking to get an lsd, but which one would be the best bang for my buck? thanks

 

It depends on what your intentions are for the vehicle as for what kind of diff IS best bang for your buck. Is it currently a lsd, I thought the gxl came with lsd or maybe that was just the early 86 87 88 years, wither way what are your intentions, For me I got a S4 na lsd out of a 86 and it does everything I want it to.

correction s5 gxl did not come with lsd

 

My intentions are to build a daily that can grip corners hard, but still kick the rear end out if i wanted to. I was thinking about getting a S4 GXL diff or maybe a S5 Turbo.

 

bang for your buck your best option is an S4 clutch type from a GXL you're better off just swapping the entire differential housing as you'll need the different S4 axle stub shafts too.

if you want to go up to a stronger turbo diff you'll need a different drive shaft and axles which gets expensive. and the S5 turbo diff sucks too, you'd want an S4 diff or get an S5 diff and swap out the stub shafts and put an FD torsen in it which is better than the S4 clutch type in most scenarios.

 

That was my exact intentions, if you get a trubo diff you have to modify the drive shaft and change the stub axles, the NA AND TURBO DIFFS are not direct swap, I would track down a n/a clutch lsd and run it. if you get lucky it wont be toasted and still have a decent lock up, worst case you get it in and the clutches are toast and you have to pull it out and rebuild it. In that case mazdatrix sells the clutches and what not to do it and its not that expensive if you can do it your self...

side note you may want to check and make sure that a S4 N/A clutch style diff will direct swap with a N/A S5, my experience is with S4 into a S4, and also a lsd into a s5 vert that I had at one point, but I bought that lsd diff not knowing if it was S4 or S5 the seller couldn't tell me, luckily it bolted right in to my vert.
I hope this helps.

 

alrighty, im going to do some more research and start looking for a clutch-type S4 diff, thanks a ton

 

 

The S4 na diff will be a direct fit. The S5 TII limited slip is a viscous style which I don't personally like. They are harder to find and as mentioned would need the axles and a new driveshaft as well. A Torsen is in my opinion the best mechanical limited slip diff available but they are expensive.