87 300zx turbo r200 lsd to 95 r200a swap

Hi,
I hope someone out there has an answer to my question. I just came across a r200 lsd from a 87 300zx turbo and was wondering if it is a direct swap into my front r200a?
1995 Hardbody 4X4 XE-V6 rear lsd
Thanks!
Joe :)

Almost a direct swap, yes. You will need to press out the driver's side flange bolt retainer from the side gear of your open diff and press it into the side gear of the LSD, and that should be it other than setting up the gear mesh for the new carrier. This is the exact unit that Calmini sells (though brand new and they add a new retainer) and a guy on the 4x4parts.com board has used the above procedure to put a used one into his truck.

Where did you come across it, and how much is it? I've been keeping my eyes open for one myself but they're hard to come by.

Brent

better get the steering system asap. i have heard that the lsd will tear a stock system up very fast.

A very tight brand new one will, but a well-used one ought to be pretty broken in and not nearly as hard on the steering. Hell, it might even be worn out and no more effective than our rear LSD by now, but it will be an improvement and can be tweaked inexpensively.

Brent

Thanks for the info, I'm going to the salvage yard right now to get it, I had 'em hold it for me untill I knew if it would work or not!! I hope it does not tear apart my steering, but it should be fun in the mud. The unit came out of a low (60,000) mile car (it was hit hard in the front, so no rear damage) I'm assuming that it is in good shape, but.... who knows. I'm paying $150.00 for it. Thanks again!! :D

Not a bad price. I know of one locally but the yard wants $200+ for it including pulling it out. The other guy I mentioned found his at a pull-it-yourself yard and paid all of $50 or less for it as I recall, lucky bastard...

Brent

assuming that the unit is good, how long would it last and how long before I start having to change front end parts? those axles are expensive! :)

oh yea, I would like to get another one, just in case. I got lucky in finding this one, but it would be nice to have another one around while I have the truck apart just in case this one is no good, anyone know a salvage yard that has one? (I'm picking up mine today!)

PPS: I know someone with a torsen diff for the r200, but he won't sell it( well, it is in his car so.....), I had one in my trans-am and loved it.........I think it would be kinder to the front end than a clutch pack diff... :)

If I knew where to find a cheap R200 LSD, I certainly wouldn't tell you ;)

I've seen several R200 torsen LSDs for sale on Ebay, most coming directly from Japan, though all are from Japanese market vehicles originally regardless. The torsen type would be gentler, but would also be of little benefit off-road since they have zero pre-load and go 100% open as soon as a tire is lifted. Depending on how tightly a clutch-type unit is set up, it will always send some torque to the unlifted tire. The torsen units do respond well to the old "tap the brake" trick though.

The kicker is that you have to be very careful with Japan-sourced R200 parts. I've recently learned that some or many of them (depending on the model they come from) use 30-spline shafts, while ours are 29-spline.

Brent

I picked up the diff! I took it apart at the salvage yard and the fluid smelled burnt and there were a lot of metal particles in the fluid, bummer :( looks like this one was beat up, but it seemed good while it was in the car, no lash while moving the driveshaft, no ring and pinon wear, etc.... I can still return it for a refund.....hummm. I just don't want to take apart my truck and find I did all that work for nothing.....

If the clutch pack is toast, scrap it. A complete set of discs runs several hundred bucks (20 @ $25+ each). You might be able to revive it by adding one extra friction disc per side, but from what you describe it might not be worth taking any further.

Brent

I returned it (and with all the work lost to take it out in the first place!) Now... does anyone have a lead on another one? :smile:

hey I was looking on ebay and I found one..2418213455 is the item #, as of this posting the bid it up to $370 !!!, If I wanted to spend that much I would buy a new Calmini !!!! :D

Yup, I've been following that auction, and a buddy of mine was going to bid on it if it didn't top $300. Anything more and the Calmini is a much better buy.

Brent

there is another auction on ebay and from calling various salvage yards in the area I found a r200 viscous lsd, anyone know the deal with that? I'm fimilar with most lsd's from working on various gm cars and trucks(this nissan pickup is my first non gm product!) at one time or another, but I don't know anything about that... would they work or are they a waste of time? thanks! :smile:

ps: and is there a forum for the hardbody pickups? ( although this is a great one!)

pps: anyone have a used brush guard for my truck( 1995 nissan pickup)

I know where there are two abandoned mid 80's 300z's. However, after doing a little digging on a 300z message board, it appears that the r200 lsd only came on 4/87 to 1989 300zx turbos. I doubt I will be that lucky. I still plan to take a look. I also read that they usually have a finned dif cover. If anyone has information on other models that had the desirable dif, please post.

You are correct on the date ranges, and the finned diff cover should be the tell-tale sign.
One to avoid is the all-white '88 Special Edition, it has a lousy viscous LSD in it.

Good luck,
Brent

So what is a viscous lsd and why is it so lousy?? and yup the diff cover was finned on the one I returned...

The viscous diff would be useless offroad, and as I recall it also has a different spline count and wouldn't be compatible anyway.

Brent

Ok, so I'm back to looking for another used z! Thanks for all the help and replies! and If I find another one I'll let you all know :smile: