Guest RyalC Posted January 18, 2001 Share Posted January 18, 2001 I am getting ready to install the rear end assembly in my car (R200, coil-overs, etc in a '73 240Z) and read Terry Oxandales write-up on his alumimum differential upright (I was envious of Terry's car when all I knew was through text - now that I've seen pictures I'm in even more trouble. I REALLY love the hood). I would like to do something similar. I understand that this setup replaces the steel uprights, the moustache bar, AND can be used to raise the differential for better alignment. In my tiny, little mind I just can't see how this works since it doesn't seem that all these components are vertically aligned. Can anyone (Terry?) offer any insight? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted January 18, 2001 Share Posted January 18, 2001 The steel uprights on my Z were replaced with a 1/4" aluminum plate the is roughly the same height as the steel uprights it replaces and about (don't have the car in front of me) 21" long (as wide as the original mustache bar). Anyway, the plate has 1.5" aluminum angle (steel angle bolted on would suffice too) welded to the top of it, thus allowing this plate to be bolted to the bottom of the unibody crossframe that rides over the diff from wheel well to wheel well. This aluminum plate is bolted at the original 4, 10mm (I think) bolt holes used to hold the OEM steel uprights in place, and also the threaded holes left when the mustache bar mounting studs are removed. Thus a total of 4 smaller and 2 larger bolts hold this vertical plate in place. The placing of this plate can will be such that it aligns perfectly with the back mounting surface of the R200 cover plate where the two cover plate studs can be placed through two holes drilled in this plate. These holes can be drilled at any height (which I put as high at was physically possible to keep the halfshafts horizontal on my lowered body). Anyway, at the bottom of this plate is where I bolted the OEM steel suspension bushing bracket for the rearmost lower control arm bushings. Again, it is held onto the aluminum plate by the orginal holes that held this steel bracket to the OEM steel uprights. Lastly, I used a modified RX7 front bar (23mm) to bolt onto this plate also. The mounting of the body bushings for the sway bar are mounted on the outermost ends of this wide aluminum plate so that the bar rides behind the diff. Thus one plate, which just happens to line up with all the attached pieces will work. With the differential solidly mounted on the front mount, this plate cannot flex fore or aft, and with the wide stance of the plate, the two combine to form a very rigid surface for all parts attached to it. The plate has two large 4" holes cut through it on either side of the diff to add air flow around the diff. Also the plate helps as a heat sink to pull the heat off the diff cover. I have been very satisfied with the rigidity of this plate. It transmits a bit more noise into the car, but Hot Rods aint supposed to be quiet. Terry Oxandale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RyalC Posted January 19, 2001 Share Posted January 19, 2001 Thanks for the excellent (and timely) write-up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted January 19, 2001 Share Posted January 19, 2001 Hey terry I tried to E-mail you today and it was returned. Are there any links to any pics to what you discribe? More importantly I have a question about brake setups I will try to E-mail you again! Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest SHARKMAN Posted January 21, 2001 Share Posted January 21, 2001 blueovals What year is the 23mm bar off from Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blueovalz Posted January 23, 2001 Share Posted January 23, 2001 The 23mm was off the original first generation RX7. I had to lop off the ends and redo them, but I think that was all that was needed. Terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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