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More specifically for a HR31 (import) - but will the R200 center, or in fact whole diff assembly be swapped off a latter skyline (R32, r33) ? Do you have to change just the internals, or can you straight swap the whole housing with everything?

Basically, what I am asking is there any difference in the housings of any of the R200 diffs?

I am pretty sure they do, just want to make sure.

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More specifically for a HR31 (import) - but will the R200 center, or in fact whole diff assembly be swapped off a latter skyline (R32, r33) ? Do you have to change just the internals, or can you straight swap the whole housing with everything?

Basically, what I am asking is there any difference in the housings of any of the R200 diffs?  

I am pretty sure they do, just want to make sure.

The long and the short of it is no they don't fit...The DR30/R31 skylines use a long nose R200, the later model ones use a short nose R200....If you really want to spend the $$$ you can make anything fit

Basically, the two diff centres are classed as the same diff, built to the same specs and all, but one is a short nose centre and the other is a long nose centre...

one word: crap

Sorry to sound stupid, but does this mean the actual "short nose" internals will not fit at all into the "long nose" housing either?

Where do people with older cars find replacement LSD's? or is it a wait and pray job?

yeah, that is my next question.. maybe a silly one - doies thi means a long nose center (the insides) are different to the "short nose" center, and therefore not-interchangeable at all?

If so, how the hell does one find an older R200 LSD? Or is it just wait and pray?

From what i've been lead to beleive from investigating this issue the later model R200's will go in, but its a complete fabrication job, and one that would prolly cost money....No unfortunatly the centre's won't change either :P its a loose loose situation all around...

Yeah best thing to do is sit and wait and pray, or suss ozdat forums/classifieds and or suss wreckers out failing that just keep your eye out for them...

From what i've been lead to beleive from investigating this issue the later model R200's will go in, but its a complete fabrication job, and one that would prolly cost money....No unfortunatly the centre's won't change either :P its a loose loose situation all around...

I indicated in another thread....it has been done, but unless you have access to accurate equipment and are a competant machinist (or know someone that is), plus have lot's of time and patience AND have experience at setting up diffs (or know someone that does), your better off not attempting this.

From what i know the center WILL fit, but it is not a DIY job as diffs need to be lapped and preloads set.. an LSD centre SHOULD fit an open gear set. thus keeping you original ratio and gaining LSD.

From memory the early (pre short nose) R200's are very similar in regard to how they fit the case or cast iron bit .

The carrier bearing pre-load is set by select fit washers (same dia as outer race) on the outside of the bearings . If the later hemisphere (carrier) has the same offset width and crown wheel bolt pattern its pretty simple . If you change centers and retain the original crown wheel all that needs to be set is the carrier bearing preload and backlash for the crown/pinion teeth . The pinion has not been removed so its height has not changed .

At some stage Nissan changed the crownwheel bolt diameter (I think about the time DR30's grew turbos) but this is not hard to get around . I have a master craftsman when it comes to Nissan Diffs , an old school mechanic not just a parts fitter .

The old Nizmo cattledog shows a huge range of LSD's and all dimensions , Ill have a look in the next couple of days to see if the early centers (hemispheres) are dimensionally the same as S13-15 and R32 Skylines . The splines for the half shafts will need to be the same . I know R32 GTR's had 32 or 33 spline side gears whereas most R200's are 30 . Another odd ball is the R200 viscous center which has different length stub axles . Do some searches on R200 diffs , there's lots of info on US sites .

I have an R200 LSD with a full set of active plates , in std form there was only one active set per side and thick spacers to fill the gap . Its not for sale yet but maybe at some later stage .

To be continued .

As long as you are keeping the same gearset (ie 'just' changing the centre) it is 'just' a matter of setting up the correct CWP running clearances and side bearing pre-loads - BUT unless you have the right equipment and experience this is something best left to the experts.

That said, swapping a short nose R200 centre into a long nose R200 diff presents some extra 'special' problems related to design changes that Nissan made between the two types.

I have an S13/15, R32 Viscous LSD, 3.692:1 that was offered to Y0880 for Project 240K FREE, so that he could do some screwing around. Ask him what he was able to find out about the exchange.

All I know is it has been done, but surely it wasn't easy as the whole viscous assembly has to change and it can't be separated.

I have an extra R200 R30 LSD, 3.9:1 also not for sale, as I'm looking for a 4.3:1 or 4.4:1 centre to convert to LSD for my PNV.

R200 open diffs were available in 260Z's as 3.7:1 and are fairly easy to get, but 3.9 and lower are scarce and when you do find them, they're not cheap.

SteveL , what changes were made to the carrier or hemisphere ? offsets maybe ?

The only special tools needed to change like carriers are a torque wrench , dial gauge and weight scale or experienced hand . Bearing blue is handy to check the contact patch but as I said the pinion height does not change .

Ghostrider why would you want a 4.1 or 4.375 ? I would be more interested in a 3.7 especially with an RB30DET and stock gearbox ratios . If anyone wants to swap an open 3.7 for a 3.9 I'm listening , need to keep the uni flange though .

Ghostrider I may know someone with a 4.375 open , PM if interested .

Wakefield Park & Hillclimbs is the 4.375:1 and I haven't got standard gear ratios.

1. 3.214, 2. 1.925, 3. 1.302, 4. 1.000, 5. .752:1

1. 3.321, 2. 1.902, 3. 1.308, 4. 1.000, 5. .833:1 is stock ratios and tyres are 625mm static radius, near enough to same as 205/60 x 15.

Ghostrider competition gearsets were available through Nismo (and others) , where 1st was in the 2.6 - 2.2 range and needed short (4.8 - 5.3) rear gears to work .

Another thing to remember is that with short rear gear sets , the number of pinion teeth is less making the pinion smaller AND weaker . Give me a 37/10 or 39/10 pair anyday over a 37/9 or 35/8 .

  • 1 month later...
Hey, just found my gear ratios.  Worked out I have a theoretical top speed of 274kmh.  

I think I need shorter 1,2,3 and a taller 5th (for economy)

That's cool, but where do you find the 10000 revs to accomplish it and the road straight and long enough, as Sydney to Melbourne has a few obstacles along the way.

Ghostrider competition gearsets were available through Nismo (and others) , where 1st was in the 2.6 - 2.2 range and needed short (4.8 - 5.3) rear gears to work .  

Another thing to remember is that with short rear gear sets , the number of pinion teeth is less making the pinion smaller AND weaker . Give me a 37/10 or 39/10 pair anyday over a 37/9 or 35/8 .

Disco,

I couldn't agree with you more, for every day to day, sort of normal thrashing around, but for my purpose, the lower ratios are necessary, but as I have said before, I have a spare R200 LSD in 3.9:1 that was stock in the PNV. I only intend to swap the LSD centre into another diff, (4.3) if I can get one, but if I can't I will just use 4.1 & 3.9.

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