231Z

Pictures are worth a thousand words. Nothing is more difficult than trying to make sense of someone's custom work through words on a page without the aide of pictures. So here is the process of my Armada/300ZXTT R230 Hybrid Differential. Thanks to Hybrid Z member Cyrus who helped pioneer this and give me helpful insight. Parts needed to begin: 2007 Nissan Armada R230 2.94 ratio 1990 Nissan 300ZXTT R230 3.69 ratio Notice the subtle differences in the carrier between the Armada R230 and the 300ZXTT R230: The bottom of each carrier: The mounting height differences: Rear Covers. Notice the 300ZXTT LSD sticker (very important). The 300ZXTT cover WILL NOT bolt directly onto the Armada carrier without grinding off the ABS provisions. The Armada wall thickness at the rear of the case is thicker than the 300ZXTT and the ABS sensors provisions hit the Armada mounting surface. Armada: 300ZXTT: Output Flange size difference: Check your ratios: Armada 47:16 2.9375 ratio 300ZXTT 48:13 3.69 ratio Ring geat vantage: Armada 300ZXTT This is a start. Next I'll pull out the ring gear and document that process and add to this post.

As an update, the ZXTT rear cover WILL NOT bolt up as the ABS sensor provisions are in the way. These provisions have to be ground off to bolt the rear cover to the Armada R230 housing.

Wanted 280YZ flares from somewhere in California. Thanks Tyson 831-252-2106 turbobuick87@hotmail.com

???CONFUSED??? The picture is helpful but not totally clear. Those are Ross's hubs not Z31 hubs on an S30 spindle right? He has two options, five lug hug with zero offset and five lug hub with some offset. Which offset is used here? I can see the rest is Nissan. Where the brakes bolt on or was there a kit. Thanks for the clarity.

Got one for sale. 3.54 out of a q45. Located in San Jose. Tyson 831-252-2106

Since this is a sticky, I think it is important to correct the first post that the REAR Armada differential is to be used. I did not see that correction throughout the post and if it was overlooked I apologize. Tyson

Yeah brother. Get on it! Glad you are well Cyrus. I'm still hunting down a 2.94 Armada diff. NO LUCK .

Just learned that the 2009 Armada has a limited slip rear end with the 2.94 and 3.36 ratio. No more swapping in the z32tt limited slip. Now, to find one used and reasonably priced Tyson

Need an Armada R230 with 2.94 gearing (diff only, not axles). Will trade my q45 diff and 4 half shafts for the R230 diff. Tyson turbobuick87@hotmail.com 831-252-2106

My mistake. I looked at the photo and thought the bottom of the strut tube was interfered with by the bottom of the backing plate. The photo shows that the backing plate holds the Q45 hub (or at least that is what Dave's website states). This is great, but will he offer the same with a z32tt hub? Again, I'm still surprised the rear strut tube is not adjustable.

I like the set up, but am wondering why they didn't follow through with the adjustable rear strut like Techno Toy Tuning. It is limited to the Q45 hub too. I'd like to see a version for the z32tt hub. Additionally, AZC adjusts the dampening through the bottom of the tube. There is no way to adjust the rear dampening without disassembling the whole rear suspension on each side.

I wonder, has any consideration gone into the front end to MATCH the rear. In other words, the rear could have 5 lug hubs and an adjustable strut housing, but the fronts will maintain a 4 lug hub and non adjustable strut housing. For those of us that are completing a rotissiere restoration and overlooking nothing, it would be great to have some uniformity. Any thoughts Gabriel? Is there a plan in the works? Tyson

Speeder - Did you follow thru and place your order? I'm curious to know your opinion. I'm also watching this thread like a hawk. The thought of off loading all the new stuff that is still in boxes that will now be useless. Tyson

Wilson, Should you decide to consider a 200r4, make sure it has a BRF valve body (found in the 84-87 Turbo Buicks). Despite some of the chatter on this board about the hp limits of the 200r4, you will never exceed the capability. There are several guys in the Nor Cal Turbo Buick Club that have reached/exceeded 800hp with equal/more torque in a 3500lb vehicle and run the 200r4's without fail. With the weight savings and an independent rear you won't hurt a 200r4. Talk to Bruce Toelle at Performance Transmission in Sacto area (PTS Extreme). He makes all the billet and hardened parts for these trannies. Good luck Tyson

Thanks for the reply. I'm very familiar with ScottieGNZ. I've owned about 5 turbo Buicks over the last 8 years and head the Nor Cal Turbo Buick Club. I've had my Z in the making for about 2-3 years. It's time to get it going. No offense intended, but the motor mounts on ScottieGNZ's ride were functional, but not very perrty. I'm doing a full restoration, top to bottom on the Z. I need something that is not only functional but compliments the engine compartment too. I already have 15K into the suspension alone so there will be no stone unturned. Thanks, Tyson

I'm currently deep into my Buick (Grand National) 231z project and have held out long enough on the motor/tranny mount fab. It is time to tackle it. Only problem is there are no mounts to be found (we all knew that). I love the concept used by John's Cars on the LS1 conversion (driver side). I'd like to use that same bolt-in premise and mirror image it to the passenger side. I will make the motor mounts from there. However, John won't sell the kit unless it is purchased in full. I'm hoping someone out there has several good photos of the John's Cars mounts as mounted in their car. If so, could you please post them to the site or send them directly to me at turbobuick87@hotmail.com. Thanks for all the help or thoughtful suggestions, Tyson 70 240z (#1495) Stock GN motor TE50, 55 lbs inj Built 200r4 Hurst Lightening Rod Shifter Ground Control Coilovers Camber plates Tokico Illumina 5 way shocks Arizona Z lower control arms Q45 diff Panasport C8 17x7.5 Custom Porsche 993 TT brakes (all the way around) Soon to come: Porsche 12 way adjustable seats

Mike, Talked to John today. Sale pending. Tyson

Stop Tech

It can be done. Scott Performance in Santa Clara, CA did it with an RB26DET 240z. The tires fit under rolled lipped fenders...no flare front and back. 255/17 potenzas. You might call and ask them.

Scott Performance at 2555 Lafayette St. in Santa Clara has the Big Red brake set up. Greg engineered the caliper mounting bracket and custom rotor hat. You are looking at about 5k for the set up on all 4 corners. Tyson

I spoke with mas280 the other day and he clued me in that the Armada uses these gear ratios as their final drive: Standard Off-road Final Drive Ratio (:1) 2.937 3.357 These would be better suited for my GN drivetrain project. I know that an Armada diff is going to be hard to come by, but I'm hoping someone might have more info for me. In my exploring I have not been able to find the case size of the Armada. Any guesses or factual knowledge. Is it an R230 case? The half shafts are huge! I'd like to try this route since the Armada is supporting closer to my torque range than a Q45 is. Your thoughts are welcomed. Tyson

bastaad525 , Your piping seems most logical the way you have it. Remember the more bends, and particularly tight bends you add to the intercooler piping, you create more pressure drop and decrease the overall efficiency of the intercooler. The bends you have currently, are sweeping bends that will not cause as much drop in pressure. BOV's are designed for the air that is trapped between the closed butterfly in the throttle body and the turbo. When a BOV is not used, as in the case of a Turbo Buick 3.8, you often here the shutter of the compressor wheel, "snorting". The BOV is designed to release that compressed air between the turbo and throttle body and designed to eliminate it from running back toward the turbo and cause that snorting. This will eventually cause your turbo to have shaft play or eat bearings. Do not turn up the wick until you tune your car. Take time to get the appropriate injectors, FPR and wastegate. Get yourself good gauges and pay attention to them when driving. Tyson 87 Buick T 87 GN 1600hp Sold 70 Z with 231 Turbo Buick