Hi guys,
I don't own a Nissan but I'm here looking for some info that might help me out with a possible swap. I'm currently working on a 1974 Triumph TR6 and a common upgrade for our cars is the R200 rear differential. The best choice is to get one from a 1990 – 1996 300ZX non turbo to have a matching gear ration. The information I am looking for is how that differential compares to 240sx differential and the differences in each. My crazy idea is if I can swap the rear diff of a 240 instead of the 300ZX I can easily source a 240 engine and transmission to fit into the TR6.
Here is a description of the parts that help fit the R200 into our cars.
http://www.goodparts.com/shop/index.php?categoryID=16
I know this is a bit crazy / out of your normal discussions, but any input would be appreciated. Thanks
Nissan rear diff questions
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- Car: '92 240sx Convertible
'94 F-150 - Location: Fredericksburg, VA
Re: Nissan rear diff questions
r200s are pretty much all the same. There are some variants, such as viscous or helical LSDs. The gear ratios change based on the car the diff was in since Nissan matches that with the final drive of the transmission. The only other major difference you'll see between some of the r200s is that some cars were designed to have better NVH, so they have bushings in the forward mounting points. The S14, Z, J30, etc have the bushed carriers while the S13 solidly mounted to the subframe. I can't remember off the top of my head if the Z diff cover was the 2 stud or 4 stud design, but the covers swap between r200 carriers. It's common when putting a newer r200 in an S13 to swap the cover and vice versa.
One thing to watch for is if the diff came from an ABS car or not. In 240 land, it's unusual for a VLSD to come from a non-ABS car. That changes the length of the nose for the drive shaft input by about an inch (longer on ABS diffs). Sometimes you might have a crazy person like me who puts VLSD guts in non-ABS carriers. I don't know how that impacts your driveshaft choice, but I'm guessing you all do custom anyways.
The only other major difference I can think of that will limit your choice will be the half shafts. The adapter plates are designed around the 5 bolt output shafts common on N/A Z32s and some J30s as well as JDM S chassis. 240s have a 6 bolt, triangular pattern (2 bolts per point). Half shafts are compatible between all r200s, so long as the halfshafts used are designed for the specific type of differential. So VLSDs have specific length halfshafts, open diffs have a different length halfshaft, and HLSDs have their own length as well. You get the idea.
Looking at the parts list, if you snag one from a 240, get one from an S14 as it'll have the 2 stud cover and the bushed carrier. The conversion brackets look like they were designed around that. You'll need output shafts from a Z32 as well.
As for motor selection, the diff won't impact your selection at all. Plenty of guys run KAs or SRs on Z and J diffs.
One thing to watch for is if the diff came from an ABS car or not. In 240 land, it's unusual for a VLSD to come from a non-ABS car. That changes the length of the nose for the drive shaft input by about an inch (longer on ABS diffs). Sometimes you might have a crazy person like me who puts VLSD guts in non-ABS carriers. I don't know how that impacts your driveshaft choice, but I'm guessing you all do custom anyways.
The only other major difference I can think of that will limit your choice will be the half shafts. The adapter plates are designed around the 5 bolt output shafts common on N/A Z32s and some J30s as well as JDM S chassis. 240s have a 6 bolt, triangular pattern (2 bolts per point). Half shafts are compatible between all r200s, so long as the halfshafts used are designed for the specific type of differential. So VLSDs have specific length halfshafts, open diffs have a different length halfshaft, and HLSDs have their own length as well. You get the idea.
Looking at the parts list, if you snag one from a 240, get one from an S14 as it'll have the 2 stud cover and the bushed carrier. The conversion brackets look like they were designed around that. You'll need output shafts from a Z32 as well.
As for motor selection, the diff won't impact your selection at all. Plenty of guys run KAs or SRs on Z and J diffs.
Re: Nissan rear diff questions
I appreciate all the help. Is there a definitive list of all the cars that had R200s and the gear rations they came with?