Differential Question for a 280zx

[Drftn280zxt]

Thanks for all the feedback. Now that I have recieved the answers that I was looking for, the NISMO LSD seems to fit the bill perfectly, it drops right in (no other extra outside parts needed) and it will be the "perfect" LSD for drifting in my Z. If I'm not mistaken the NISMO unit is about $1200 right? Can anyone fill me in on this. The NISMO catalogue does not have prices in it. Thanks again for all the feedback I truly do appreciate it. W/O you guys my Z would not get very far, because I'd have a much harder time determining which parts to get, and how to install specialty parts.

[zxgts-4]

HI all

FYI Parts fiche

T5 in Turbo from 01/82 and R200 3.545 from 12/80 and revised 08/82 but still 10mm ring bolts . info from carfiche.com Neil

[Leith280zlt1]

The Precision Gear Limited slip assembly is the exact same as the nismo unit. It's also cheaper. I highly recomend going with that. If you are considering getting one from me, check out this post. The prices are going to be a little better soon. PM me for more info. I can make the spacers if you need me to. All they are are a piece of tubing with a 10mm ID and a 12mm OD. I'll have to get the lenght of them though and then I'll post that.

 

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=102602

[HeatRaveR]

Does anyone know how long those clutch-type LSD's typically last (with moderate sport driving) before needing a rebuild?

[Drftn280zxt]

Okay another question. You mentioned that the Precision Gear LSD is exactly the same as the NISMO unit. Is the NISMO unit actually just the Precision Gear unit or Vice Versa, or are ther Coincidentally two LSDs that are exactly the same? As read up I noticed that all of the Precision Gear LSD's at least the one we are talking about, come(s) from Japan, kind of like NISMO products. Coincidence? Another question does the NISMO unit come with the spacers? Or is this more a comfort option to feel the diff is as protected as can be? Now that you have mentioned this fact I might consider the Precision Gear Unit. Why pay twice as much (assuming the NISMO LSD is $1200) when I can get it for about $700. Oh yeah please don't get eager for a sale. This is planning for a year down the road (aka Summer of 06). I've still got a little of research to do on the subject of gearing ratios yet anyway. But you are definitely on the hitlist for top three to purchase from as far as this r200 LSD goes, especially if you are willing to do the install.

[Leith280zlt1]

The Clutches will last typically forever. I have never even seen a rebuild kit being sold for the clutch packs. The clutches in the lsd's don't really move that much. The only movement they see is the difference in the speeds of the wheels around a turn. Otherwise they are locked. They really won't wear.

 

Both the precision gear unit and the nismo unit come from the same factory in Japan. Nismo sells them more because they are "Nismo". "Authentic". Precision Gear also sells Ford 9"s and other rear ends. So, they are have to sell the same stuff the auto companies do or they won't fit right. Nismo does not make their own stuff, they have to buy it from a specialist too. This is not all speculation either, Precision Gear will tell you what company they come from. And I have to make the spacers for any diff before '84 for either one. You don't really need them but they can keep things from moving as much. I see them as "insurance". If you have questions on gear ratio's, this link should help you out alot on knowing what year model car to get a diff from. The only thing it doesn't tell you is that the 4.11 gears come out of a '85 or '86 200sxt. Hope all this helps.

 

Gear ratios and year models

[Drftn280zxt]

Thanks for that information. I'll have to check out that link when I get a chance.

[Guest ON3GO]

my donar car was a 82 turbo (earlier in the year) and it was a 5 speed.

i think only 81 was auto only.

 

mike

[HeatRaveR]

I heard the PG/Nismo LSD's are actually made by Fuji Heavy Industries (aka parent co. of Subaru).

[Drftn280zxt]

Cool, got any hard evidence to prove it. Personally it sounds right the parts to come from a large supplier in Japan so a place like that seems believeable, after all NISMO would sell parts unless they were good and typically the best companies are those that have been around for a good long while. Thanks for that piece of information.

[JMortensen]

You could search my thread for shimming my LSD, then search MikeC's thread for installing the other one and see that they're identical.

 

You guys are using PG as an abbreviation which might not be the best thing. Phantom Grip has usually had that abbreviation on hybridz. Precision Gear sells the Power Brute, which is what you are talking about. Just saying in case anyone wants to search if they look up "PG" they'll get a bunch of threads about what a piece of crap it is.

[Leith280zlt1]

lol, thanks mortenson, hadn't even crossed my mind

[HeatRaveR]

Cool, got any hard evidence to prove it.

 

It was just something I read around the forums somewhere. I'm curious if anyone can verify also. Either way, Nismo or Fuji/Subaru, it's all good.

[Leith280zlt1]

Call precision gear. The LS assembly they offer is an OEM part number. The same as the nismo unit.

[Drftn280zxt]

cool, I have to definitely check into precision gear's product next summer when I can put more money into the Z.

[Guest Z Draci]

Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but I wanted to clear something up about the Precision Gear and Nismo LSD. They are the same exact product made by Fuji Heavy Industries. Often, a large company like that will market the same product under two names--name brand label and a generic label. The brand name is market up higher for people willing to pay more for the label. The generic brand works off a low margin to appeal to a different demographic. Many companies use this marketing technique to capitalise on a larger market. (I actually do this with some of my products.)

 

So that extra $600 for the Nismo LSD only pays for the brand name label. Most Nismo products are overpriced for what they're worth anyways--but not all!

[Drftn280zxt]

thanks for clearing that up Z Draci. I had a good sense that was what the difference between the two units was, a Large brand backing a product that is also distributed as someother name but for less. Makes perfect sense from a marketing perspective, sneeky but smart. My guess is that TRD probably does the same thing with their LSD's.

 

Just a reminder Leith, I'm still looking to send my pumpkin to you in the summer for a 2-way unit with 3.90 gears, just FYI thanks.

[driftz240]

if you plan on drifting, theres a billion companys that make the r200 12mm 10 bolt unit you need, I bought a nismo gt lsd, its a 2 way and has a much more progressive feeling than the kick in the but you get with the kazz units, i did alot of searching, i also found a helical diff made by obx for around 400$ all over ebay. heres what i found

new diffs

nismo gt lsd 700$ "way different design on the new nismos from the old ones, more clutches beefier parts and much more brake away torque,locking pressure"

nismo gt lsd pro 900$

kazz 650$ "bam your sideways" instant kick in the pants lock, and looks like inside tire is going to fall off turning tight at slow speeds"

cusco 7-850$

power brute 600$ spend the extra 50 and get a kazz

obx helical $400 might be ok for track car, if you can get by the name.

used diffs

nissan vlsd, you have to modify the axels, but carrier will fit in the longnose.150$ from junkyard

phantom grip, i wouldent use this to drift, it is just gonna exlpode in the diff or mess up the spider gears after a few events.

welding, some love it some hate it, i think they understeer and you cant make quick changes like with a good lsd, you must kind of center the car to streight and begin drifting the other direction with caution to avoid the loop, im not a fan but alot of guys drift fine with them welded..

hope this helps, i talked to alot of drifters at my events and test drove a few different s13s with different lsd's, any diff is better than none...

[driftz240]

OHHH, by the way, if you drift a clutch type diff, you might concider changing the oil alot more often, i do every 3 events. youd be surprised what you find. i hear some d1 and formula d teams change the oil in everything after every event...maybe even make or buy a diff cooler

[Drftn280zxt]

nismo gt lsd pro 900$

What's special about this?

I went to NISMO's website and translated the text (babelfish) but the translation is really helping my understanding as Japanese sentence structure and grammar are far different thus making the translation somewhat illogical

BTW thanks for all that info.

 

Note: I also saw something called GT LSD PRO TT- whats the diff. I read something about clutch chatter decreasing. Not quite sure what that means, about the other units. Do they chatter when locking up?

 

Two things I what to avoid clutch chatter and annoying gear whine.

 

But I don't want a Quaife unit.(well I want one but its ouside of my budget)

 

This is still kinda confusing. The KAAZ unit is inviting but I'm still confused. Are all R200 pumpkins the same? I heard KAAZ doesn't offer a unit for the 280zx. Does the application (via car not matter) and just the pumkin size and and ring specs/bolt size that does?

 

I'm leaning to Leith, since he offered to install and offer a good product, and presently I don't know of any one here in town I can trust, and those who have gotten installs by Leith had nothing but good stuff to say.