Stock drivetrain durability

[4cefed]

I searched on this and didn't find much. If anyone has seena thred on it, please let me know. This may sound like a stupid question, but how rugged is the stock S13 5-speed/axles/rear end/etc. I'm used to cars with bulletproof drivetrian componenets, so this never entered my mind untill I got my 240. I'm assuming they are pretty beef because I have not heard about guys upgrading axles and rear ends and stuff. What kind of HP levels do you need to start worrying? I'll get an LSD sometime, but other than that, I wasn't planning on any upgrades.

On a similar note, how do the manual trannys mated to the KA's differ from the SR's? Are they just as strong? Just different gearing?

[ninjak84]

The stock 240sx drivetrain is a bit touchy. It won't stand up to brutal abuse and powershifting over a long time.The first things to go will be the flywheel and pressure plate.

Once you get an SR, you need to do a complete transmission swap. The KA one just won't cut it at all.

[moses]

Just my .02:I have 120k on original stock clutch, still going strong, same with all other drivetrain components; currently running with guestimate 150hp to the wheels.A lot probably has to do with how its been treated by previous owners. I've put all the miles on myself so I know exactly what's been done.

[96_S14_SE]

The stock 240sx drivetrain is a bit touchy. It won't stand up to brutal abuse and powershifting over a long time.The first things to go will be the flywheel and pressure plate.

Once you get an SR, you need to do a complete transmission swap. The KA one just won't cut it at all.

Just so you know, the transmission mounted to the SR is the same as mounted to the KA. I just double checked to make 100% sure. While the clutch is different to mount to the sr flywheel and the bellhousing changed as well to mount to the SR block the trannies are the same. That means the KA transmission is every bit as good as the sr transmission.

They also share the same r200v (viscous lsd or simple r200 open) But the silvia has a lower final drive in both manual and auto trim and had a diff oil cooler. The auto uses a 3.916 final just like the.... J30

So how is the KA drivetrain a bit touchy yet the SR a rock?

So 4cefed they are the same exact units in both diff and transmission, where the SR diff has a lower geared final drive ring to account for the higher stock output engine.... So just look at how praised SR stuff is (minus the engine) and you have your answer on the reliabity of the rest of the KA drivetrain

[4cefed]

This is essentially what I thought, I just wanted to confirm. So when I do an SR swap should I look for a diff cooler? Would the USDM 240 have the correct fittings or ports to accept one? If I get one of those $300 LSDs I see people advertising, are those the diffs from the Silvia with the lower gearing?

Thanks for the info guys.