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280z to Subaru 4.44 differential


jtessmer

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I've been doing some vintage road racing with my 1978 280z. A while back I swapped the original R200 3.54 diff for a R200 3.90. I still need more accelleration so I'd like to go to a R160 LSD 4.44.

 

I know the R160 is narrower than my R200 and I may have to flip the mustache bar...but what else.

 

Since I've lowered the car significantly, will I be able to use the stock half shafts? Any suggestions will help

 

Thanks

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I don't mean any offense, but there are quite of few threads that cover this....have you seen this Stickie yet:

 

http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/49194-differential-cv-lsd-hp-torque-r160-r180-r200-r230-diff-mount/

 

Your R200 mustache bar will not work on an R160 or R180....the holes are different spacing, and it's not practical to try redrilling new holes given the hardness of the spring steel.  Fortunately, used mustache bars are quite readily available.  Not so easily available will be the new stub axles you'll need.  If the R160 in question is an older CLSD model, you can use Datsun 510 stubs, which are becoming more scarce over time.  If the R160 is a newer VLSD or Suretrac LSD, I'm not aware of any off-the-shelf solution that exists without custom machining required.

 

Probably not the answer you're hoping for.  Have you considered the possibility of using a Subaru R180 LSD?  The correct stub axles are available from Wolf Creek Racing for $500....everyone I know that's gone this route has been very happy with the results.

 

Good luck, and definitely post your results after your swap is completed.  Thx!

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Jeez, 4.44 is super high top speed of 110 with the short transmission?

 

There is a specific thread where someone swapped in an R160, if I remember it was pretty much bolt in, I think the parts were taken from the 510, the R160 wouldn't be able to handle a lot of torque though. 

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It's pretty much a bolt-in IF the R160 is an older Subie model that's compatible with the 510 stub axles and IF you're starting with an R180 setup.

 

If you have a newer R160 (which most of the available R160s are) and if your current setup is an R200, it's a much bigger and more expensive swap.

 

Seattlejester's right...there are several threads that discuss just about every possible differential swap for an S30....most are in the "Drivetrain" sub-forums.

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