Guest Anonymous Posted May 28, 2003 Share Posted May 28, 2003 My first post here, i've been a long time reader, but i'm starting to consider modifications that are more complex than i'm able to undertake without help. I've been searching through the forums and on the net and i'm after some more specific advice about the R200 Quaife. I own a 1983 280ZX, what is the standard diff in the 83 280ZX?. Will an upgrade to the Quaife R200 be complicated and / or worthwhile? Is this something that can be completed by a mechanic that is familiar with this model, or does it require specialist attention? I'm located in Victoria, Australia. How easy are these to come by? Is there anyone in Australia that knows any reliable Z shops, or has undertaken modifications like this? Also, my next question is about the brakes, I currently have 16" Simmons mags and as a result my options are limited. I'm looking into getting larger and wider rims, and then putting in much better brakes. Has anyone put ABS on and possible better brakes (eg supra / skyline)? The long term goal of my project is to complete a simple V8 modification with great improvements to the handling, traction and braking. What modifications would be necessary to the suspension in order to achieve this? Obviously it would be best for me to do this all in one hit, and money / time permitting I will. Thanks in advance, i'll continue to read through all the stuff in the forums. Appreciate any help offered. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1 Posted May 29, 2003 Share Posted May 29, 2003 The 280ZX has the regular R200. Anyone who is compentent with setting up diff's can install a quaife for you. The quaife is a wonderful LSD. The only bad thing is the price, in the $1200 range. They work great on the street and really shine on a road course or autocross. You may check with board member RossC at modern motorsports. A while back he had a deal on installing quaife's in R200 rears. http://www.modern-motorsports.com/catalog/default.php Also check out board member griemann's site. He has a lot of ZX specific info there. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted May 29, 2003 Share Posted May 29, 2003 Welcome aboard!! Always nice to see more members with ZX's! If you've never set up a rearend before then I would just pay someone to do it for you. Just take out the differental and take it in. Just make sure it is clean and ready for the mechanic so that he doesn't charge you to clean it up! Here's a site where you can buy one.... http://www.bildon.com/catalog/drivetrain/ As for ABS... No I dont think anyone has done this. I dont think anyone really wants the ABS. All ABS is, is more expensive parts that dont make you go fast! LOL I think it can be done but your going to be on your own as far as that goes. If you just want big brakes...There is a member by the name of JSK(I think) who is making adapters for WILWOD Rotors and Calipers for the Z's. He said that after he gets the Z's adapters done that he MIGHT work on an adapter for the ZX's! I really hope so! I want a set! (HINT HINT JSK! ) You can also check out my site for the 280ZX V8 Conversion. I would like to think that I have some useful information on my site! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j260z Posted May 29, 2003 Share Posted May 29, 2003 this thread mentions ABS http://www.hybridz.org/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=20144 here is the site for Quaife http://www.quaifeamerica.com/ keep in mind that there are two types of R-200 diffs. the one you have has 10mm ring bolts and most of the diffs found in the 300zx's have 12mm ring bolts. hope this helps and welcome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zxgts-4 Posted May 29, 2003 Share Posted May 29, 2003 Good to have someone else with 280zx in Victoria. At least you have a series 2 that makes brake options easier. The simplest is to upgrade to z31 brakes least modifications. If you upgrade to z31 5 stud hubs you can use most of the z32 and skyline brake options. You could probably modify & and adapt Falcon or Commodore fronts wiht Harrop calipers. I am currently working at fitting a Viscous LS centre into Z31 R200 housing, picked up s13 diff and shafts this afternoon. Want to chat call 03 59443966. Neil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffp Posted June 5, 2003 Share Posted June 5, 2003 I have done the Quaife install in my car (well diff) I havent installed the diff yet in the car. I have been waiting for other mods I am doing atthe same time. But, I can tell you that it would be best to have a good Z shop setup the diff for you. I was going to do it myself unitl I found out how much Nissan charges for the shims. on the average 10.00 USD per shim. When you start calculating how much you could spend in shims, to spend 200.00 USD to have the unit setup is not unreasonable. You will not have to worry about the 10mm/12mm bolt sizes as the differential will accept both bolt sizes. This is the very best unit you can get for any car really, not just the Nissan cars. This unit is exactly likethe old Torsen differential that was made in the early 80's they were bought out by Gleasen. The brakes are another problem for our cars. I looked around for a number of months for an acceptable set of brakes for my car. I finally found a guy doing the upgrade with outlaw calipers and a 12" coleman rotor. The brakes work VERY well on my car. I did not have to get a proportioning vale for the system and they really stop the car. In fact if you go with a set of Hawk blue pads you will truely be amaized at how well they stop the car. You can see his stuff at http://www.fonebooth.com The draw bcak to what mike made was that he did not design the brackets with a atrut on the car and the ball joint was removed. So when I tried to install the system, the first thing I found was the rotor was hitting the ball joint, the second thing was the bracket also was out of alignment along with the rotor. What I had to do is to remove .100 off of the rotor hat, and .100 off of the caliper bracket. That fixed the clearance problems and the brakes installed just fine. Mike may have made the changes to the rotor hat thickness and the bracket thickness already. But other then that little glitch, the system operates perfectly. You should have no problems with a V8 engine and stopping the car with this system. The other thing that was very convenient with this upgrade is that I am able to fit a set of 15" wheel on the car still. I havent tried a stock set of turbo wheels on the car, but my centerlines fit, and a set of American Racing 15" wheels fit as well. I would be willing to bet a stock set of wheels fit also. anyway that is what I have done for the brakes, and the diff, well You might be better off buying the Diff directly from UK, that is where they are made. hope that helps and if you want to check out my web page it is http://www.angelfire.com/extreme/280zxt REGARDS: jeffp Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Looking for apt in Alb Ny Posted June 16, 2003 Share Posted June 16, 2003 HEy 80lt1. I love your website. its very informative. My problem is I have very little patience doing write ups. I like getting straight to the point and letting pics speak for themselves. Awsome Job and I hope to have the ZX adapters out shortly. I would love to do a v8 swap someday into my 240. Awsome Juan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
80LS1T Posted June 17, 2003 Share Posted June 17, 2003 Well thank you! I try to help in whatever way I can. I plan to add a few more pages on other parts of the swap but those will have to wait since my car will be drivable this thursday!!!!!!!! Guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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