final drive ratios

[NeedCAforS13]

OK. So I'm almost done with my s12 200sx that I'm preparing for drift. Basically its a stripped car with two aluminum buckets, with a KA24DE I swapped in with intake, header, and exhaust (waiting to go on) and a decent suspension techniques/kyb spring/strut setup. It's pretty damn quick even compared to my CA18DET s13. BUT my question is this. I currently have a 4.11 long nose R180 diff in the back but its on open diff, so I would have to weld it. A friend of mine has a 3.54 long nose R200 thats already welded that he's going to give me. That would allow me to swap the open diff in to drive it around when I don't feel like having a welded diff in even though this will pretty much only be driven for drift events... my s13 is my daily.

The 4.11 feels really fast. It's quick through the gears, so I'm worried that swapping to the 3.54 is really going to make the car feel like a dog. Would there be any benefit running such a low final drive for drift or should I just weld up the r180? The R200 would also be stronger, but I don't think I'm worried about breaking diffs yet. The only benefit I can think of with the 3.54 diff would be a wider range without having to shift gears. Oh, and I'll be running 14 inch rims in the back at least if that makes a difference...

here's a sneak peek of the new painted roof. Still have afew coats to do lol :



and the engine:



Thanks,Sean

[Joe]

sean i would definatley stay away from a taller gear, to use the "wider range" you need more horsepower, and your NA KA isnt gonna cut it

and why are you so focused on a welded diff?

[NeedCAforS13]

no one makes an lsd for a long nosed r180 anymore...

well I take that back. I think Quaife does, but I can't afford to drop a ton on this car. And Nismo did, but from what I understand they don't anymore.

also, the s12 200sx is a lighter chassis than the s13, so this doesn't feel like an ordinary N/A KA that you guys might be used to. I'm having traction problems in first and second just by flooring it, not dumping the clutch or things like that! Feels like a stock CA18DET swapped s13 to me (as far as speed goes).

Sean

[Joe]

but if you got that R200 there are like 90871390540761560xvcb067613 different diff's available for it.

ok maybe not that many, but a ****ton.

even with the lighter chassis id go with the 4's. drifting for the most part is a sub 100mph sport so i wouldnt worry too much about the top end. quick response > *

[NeedCAforS13]

the r200 is the welded one! haha, so it has the 3.54 gearing. the r180 is the 4.11 one, which is the gearing I'd like to keep. Ideally I'd like the r180 gearing with the r200 diff, because then I can swap out for an s13 lsd of somesort. I don't think I can keep the r180 ring gear inside an r200 case though.

Sean

[NeedCAforS13]

wait, I think I get it now... you mean use the r200 pumpkin with whatever other r200 internals I want. Like put an s13 4.08 diff inside and pull the welded 3.51 internals out?

Sean

[Joe]

exactally! use the r200 pumpkin and get a real diff and final drive. i know they make some that are in the 4-4.5:1 range.

the understeer with a welded sucks.

[NeedCAforS13]

awesome! Thanks Kamin.

Sean

[Joe]

np just price stuff out before you start getting serious about it. going from a free welded diff to a 1000$ setup can kinda hurt a little bit

[NeedCAforS13]

oh for sure... considering I barely have $500 in the car I won't be getting any real lsd for some time. And my s13 seems to eat up most of my big cash, the s12 is just for fun. Might just snag a j30 diff or something like that to steal a vlsd out of.

I also found a site selling a clutch type lsd for an r180 thats used in the 80's pathfinders for about $400. Guess I have to do some research to see if I could swap that in...

Sean

[NeedCAforS13]

here's the link for the pathfinder diff...

http://www.purenissan.com/r180_lsd.htm

Sean