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'82 R200 in a 260Z worth it?


XelderX

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I've got a 260Z that I'm getting ready to do a major overhaul on. This is my first time messing with Datsuns and I'm still learning a lot. I picked up an L28 and 5 speed out of an '82 ZX non-turbo. This car should have the non-LSD R200 in it. I can pick up the R200 for dirt cheap. Would it be worth it just for the gearing?

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It is well worth it. Your 260 probably has 3.36 or 3.54 gears. With your new 5 speed the 5th gear will be pretty much unusable under 75 mph with that rear end ratio. You should DEFINITELY get the R200 (or some other diff with a lower gear ratio) to take full advantage of the 5 speed. 3.90s or 4.11s work well with the ZX 5 speed ratios. The ZX R200 probably has 3.90s in it.

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I don't know if I would go with a 3.90 or lower. It'll be quick off the line, but you'll be turning some RPMs on the highway. Keep it simple, the standard NA 280ZX rear is 3.54 and it's right in the middle which is great for something you're going drive often.

No, I don't believe that is right. The standard NA ZX diff is 3.90. That's what I got out of my first parts car, an 80 ZX. The automatics came with a 3.54, as did the turbos. The 280Z came with 3.54 and 5 speeds, but they were geared with the super low 1st and 2nd. The NA ZX 5 speed is a closer ratio'd trans and the tall 1st and 2nd gears goes well with the lower rear end like the 3.90 or 4.11.

 

XelderX, you can check rpms at road speeds here if that is a concern: http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/

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ModelYear, Trans, Gear Ratio, Differential

240Z

70-73 MT (3.364) (R180)

70-73 AT (3.545) (R180)

260Z

74 MT (3.364) (R180)

74 AT (3.545) (R180)

280Z

75-76 (3.545) (R200)

77-78 MT (3.545) (R200)

77-78 AT (3.545) (R180)

280ZX

79 MT 4 Spd, (3.364) (R180)

79 MT 5 Spd, (3.364) (R180)

79 AT (3.545) (R180)

80 MT (3.545) (R180)

80 AT (3.545) (R180)

81-83 w/o Turbo,MT (3.9) (R200)

81-83 w/o Turbo,AT (3.545) (R180)

81-83 w/Turbo (3.545) (R200)

280ZX (2+2)

79 MT 4 Spd, (3.364) (R200)

79 MT 5 Spd, (3.7) (R200)

80 MT (3.9) (R200)

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280ZX

79 MT 4 Spd, (3.364) (R180)

79 MT 5 Spd, (3.364) (R180)

79 AT (3.545) (R180)

80 MT (3.545) (R180)

80 AT (3.545) (R180)

81-83 w/o Turbo,MT (3.9) (R200)

81-83 w/o Turbo,AT (3.545) (R180)

81-83 w/Turbo (3.545) (R200)

280ZX (2+2)

79 MT 4 Spd, (3.364) (R200)

79 MT 5 Spd, (3.7) (R200)

80 MT (3.9) (R200)

I'm OK with this chart up until the 280ZX. It doesn't show the 260 2+2 MT which was a 3.36 R200, but none of the charts show that option.

 

I know the 79's had the earlier trans, but I thought that all MTs came with R200s, and the 79 came with 3.54s. Then everything 80 and later was 3.90, with 3.54 on the AT and turbo. Never heard of a manual with a 3.36 or a manual with a 3.70 on a ZX. Is this list US market, or all markets? Or was I just unaware of some of the possible combos available. Regardless, the last one on the list was what I had. 80 MT 3.90 R200.

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Thanks for the info. I'm going to go ahead and get it. I do plan on a little more power in the furture so I should get the supporting mods done now.

 

While you're at it, go ahead and install a LSD! You will get the benifit of not having to pull the diff again, you'll get better traction, and you will get a stronger 4 spider carrier as opposed to the stock 2 spider open diff. Check out Precision Gear....about the best deal for a new clutch type LSD. By the way, Jon is correct about using the 3.90 ratio with the close ratio 5 spd. I actually went from the 3.90 to a 4.10. At approximately 70mph I'm turning just about 3K rpm.

 

Tom

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  • 2 weeks later...
I'm OK with this chart up until the 280ZX. It doesn't show the 260 2+2 MT which was a 3.36 R200, but none of the charts show that option.

 

I know the 79's had the earlier trans, but I thought that all MTs came with R200s, and the 79 came with 3.54s. Then everything 80 and later was 3.90, with 3.54 on the AT and turbo. Never heard of a manual with a 3.36 or a manual with a 3.70 on a ZX. Is this list US market, or all markets? Or was I just unaware of some of the possible combos available. Regardless, the last one on the list was what I had. 80 MT 3.90 R200.

 

I've seen 3 3.36 R200 differentials in the last 9 years. Two were in MT 2+2 ZX and one in a 260 2+2. Bought the last one. Rule of Life: If you want/need it you can't find it; otherwise its everywhere you look.

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  • 2 weeks later...

OK...new question. I've got a chance to get a R200 out of a Z31 turbo. It's late and I need to make sure I don't need anything else. So...Z31 R200 into a 260Z, will my halfshafts and driveshaft work or will I need to pull more drivetrain parts off the Z31?

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