Phantom

First - a 240Z has an R180 for a stock differential. It is less robust than the R200. Second - Are we talking about a 240Z or a 280ZX? Very different cars. A fresh R200 can probably handle 450 lb-ft of torque. The problem then will be the half-shaft universals and the suspension - neither of which were designed to handle that much. If it's applied 'gently' it'll all handle it. If you drop the hammer something will break.

I have only a single muffler at the standard Z position in my installation. I have no drone at 1,500 RPM. Might be a function of the mounts? All I know is the car, except at heavy throttle, is very quiet inside - no drone at all.

Think of it this way. You could by the items individually from Nissan and pay about $1,800. Get the MSA kit, install it, and then see what else you need. Don't dally too long because some of the pieces are getting hard to find.

Now that is really splitting needles!

My numbers were with the .50:1 OD 6th T56, 3.70:1 R200 LSD and 225/50-16 tires - both actual and mathed - using exact gearing, tire diameters, etc. The 225/50-16 tire is very slightly (2%) larger than the stock 185/70-14 that came on the 280Z.

I guess you had to be there to really understand!

go to page 3 of album, bottom row, 3rd from the left. http://album.hybridz.org/showphoto.php?photo=960&cat=500&page3

I bought one 3 years ago for $70. Machined aluminum. Photo in my album. I don't think the guy who sold it to me is still around though. I may need to take some measurement?

I've got over 17,000 miles on my set-up right now and I can tell you that 330 lb-ft of torque will work with any ratio between 3.36 and 3.70. At 60mph in 6th you'll be turning about 1,500 rpm with 3.70 gears or about 1,350 with 3.36 gears - assuming stockd diameter tires. I've mulled this one over until I got a headache and have decided I like my 3.70 ratio. I have to watch it to keep from melting the tires in first but man does it kick butt when I hit third at highway speeds!

Ok guys - this was my dream. Go start your own threads for your dreams. I can't believe this, now people are hijacking my dreams!

I think it's more from starting to work out at the gym than smoking something. I think I've figured out what the mesage was in there, though - deal with the spider before trying to slip through its web.

Gee - I'm a 57 year-old motorhead with dial-up. This site has been wonderful for me.

Yeah, I know people who are trained in dream interpretation and can actually train you to interpret your own. It's an area to tread softly in.

Dreamed I saw my car up on a lift. I thought, wow - now's the chance to get some good digital photos of the exhaust and 'torque tube' style transmission mount. As I moved into position I went through a spider web and this humongous spider got on me. It was so realistic I woke up and never got the pictures taken. Sorry guys!

David, Going to 16" wheels won't help as much as you would like. Your maximum tire diameter is limited by the fenderwells - especially in the front when turning. About the largest diameter tire you can get on the car would be a 215/55-16. That's about an inch in diameter larger than stock so it would only raise the car about 1/2". You'll get a lot more lift adjusting the spring perches. I would think you would want the car at least 2" higher than it is now?

Let's see. 1) I pulled the ramps out of the garage & set them up. 2) I backed the Z up on the ramps. 3) I got out the tools & the creeper & slid up under the rear of the car. 4) I removed the plug in the side of the differential. 5) I inserted the index finger from my left hand through the hole and felt for oil. Since the distance from the first joint to the end of my index finger is less than 1" and it came back with some oil on it I assumed the differential was only down about an inch But to ensure: 6) I got out the quart of gear lube and squeezed it into the hole in the side of the differential until it was level with the hole. 7) I looked at the bottle and it was down about 5 oz of oil. THat's how I knew.

Follow-up on the original post. Wife wasn't too happy with me but I went ahead and got a used R200 ($250) rather than a new one ($1,600) and put it in. Now she IS happy with me. The whine has totally disappeared. She can't believe how quiet the car is now. I'm now 3 for 3 on used differentials. I just wish I knew what caused the one in her car to go bad. It's not normal for an R200 to fail - especially n a totally stock application.

Sparky - You want me to get him fired? I know the guy that can get it done. Seriously.

Just uploaded several photos I took during the install of my LS1 showing engine-firewall clearance, headers & partial views of motor mounts.