300zx Differential NEED HELP QUICK!!

[Maverick7687]

Ok, I have looked all over for this information. My friend is offering to sell me his differential out of a 1993 300zx auto. He think that the autos where geared different than the 5spd models. and I am not sure. I also want to make sure that the 300zx differential WILL bolt up to a S13 chassis.. I have a 1993 240sx base model with no LSD..as far as I know..both wheels spin when I burnout in some cases but I am still not sure. The LSD out of the 300 also has ABS, my car does NOT.. will that effect anything or will that make it not fit. It also needs the 2 bushings that go on either side of the input shaft I think it is and I think for the S13 I have to get a new rear cover for it or something like that, will the rear cover on my open dif. fit or do I need to find one from a S13 lsd? And also I need to know what I have to buy to get this thing to work in my car if it will. Thanks guys, if all turns out well I will buy this tomorrow..btw he said the bushings new from Nissan where like $150, anyone have any clue? Thanks, Tim

[crzycav86]

As far as I know, the final drive is the same for autos and standard. It's the tt models that have the higher gearing.

The differential will not bolt in. It either needs 6-bolt output shafts from a 95+ j30, or 5-bolt axles from a pre-95 j30. Or if you can also get the axles from the 300zx, you can rig up something like this: http://www.gbauto.net/crzycav86/axle_swap.htm

The the fact that you have a non-abs car will not affect anything with the swap.. Actually, I think if you had an abs car, the abs would end up being disabled(in the rear at least).

I don't know of these bushings you speak of. There are bushings that go on either side of the differential, near the input shaft. If you lost those, you can replace them with some washers.

As for the rear cover, you'll need to swap the cover from your s13 differential over to the 300zx one. The reason being the bolts that go through the subframe are too wide to pass through. They are also spaced out a little too much.

Basically, to get it to work on your car, you need 6 bolt output shafts from a vlsd, or 5 bolt j30 axles(if you're lucky, you can find them at a junkyard for a hundred bucks or so).

Was the help quick enough for you?

[Maverick7687]

Yes, Yes, it was, and I believe I will buy this tomorrow.. he is selling it to me for $20, I thought that was pretty crazy..i turned the input shaft and there is absolutely NO play either way when the outputs start turning...If you have a picture from the top of a 300z Dif I can point out what he said where supposed to be bushings..There are 2 holes, about an inch or inch.5 in diameter and there is one on each side of the input shaft.. I think I am telling you right.. but like the old saying, "a picture is worth a thousand words" or in this case much less...I will try to find one...I hope you are right about just using washers though... When you said I needed the rear cover off the S13, does it have to be from a S13 VLSD or will the one from the open dif work? Thanks again, Mav

[crzycav86]

No.. just use the one from your open differential.

Yeah, I know the bushings that you're talking about.. just use washers. They're nothing fancy unlike the bushings that need to be pressed in.

[Maverick7687]

ok, i just wanted to be sure because the guy selling it to me said they have to be pressed in..so washers will work fine there??

[crzycav86]

I don't think I saw anything pressed in those holes. I'm about 99% sure.. But if the guy thinks the bushings need to be pressed in, he's either pulling your leg, or I'm missing something.

Anyway, buy the differential. You can learn more about the swap later... and from your original post, there is no way in hell that those bushings cost anywhere near $150 from the dealer. I'd say around $50 tops, and they aren't even needed.

[Maverick7687]

sweet, I am getting a damn-near perfect LSD for $25 hahahahahahaha....This is a really close friend so I dont think he would just say that... But I dont know what part the dealer quoted but he said they told him 75-150 i thought that was kindof a large range but.. if I can get the washers to work I am all for it... I will buy it tomorrow...thanks for your help guys....vvery much, Mav

[frapjap]

**** 25 BUCKS!?? I paid 250 for mine and I'm still looking for shafts!!!! Lucky YOU!

[Maverick7687]

Ok, I was told that the auto dif was geard alittle different from the manual...it is geared for a little bit hight top end b/c it doesnt have the 5sp rev limiter on it or something...he kinda confused me when he was telling me..But if anyone knows any different please tell me...I have pictures,..I am not too sure how to put them on here so if someone would like to take a look and tell me if bushings actually have to go on it post your e-mail and I will send them....or tell me how to post pics.. I bought it today for $20...thats all for now, Thanks, Mav

[crzycav86]

http://www.zilvia.net/faqs/specs/z32specs.asp

According to that, the final drive gearing is the same for automatics and standards. Perhaps your friend is confused with the top gear of the transmission. If you'll notice on that page, the automatics have a higher 4th gear than the standard's 5th gear. I bet that is what you friend is talking about. But the differential gearing is the same.

Also, you can email me the pictures and I can host them. [email protected]