winfab Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 So i have an early '71 240Z. Fitted the LS1 in the engine bay (the JCI mounts work great BTW) and get the trans (T56) in place, try to fit the driveshaft and its too long. Buried the yoke all the way into the T56, and still at least 1/2 inch too long. So, it seems that since I have the early "forward-mounted" R180 differential, then I have one question for you all. In theory then, if i swap out for a R200 differential, moustache bar, hanger, etc. this should then set the R200 back one inch or so, then my driveshaft will fit properly? Cheers Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
auxilary Posted July 1, 2009 Share Posted July 1, 2009 you want an r200 anyway, better gearing, beefier internals. it'll be a worthwhile $100 investment in the long run. be sure your new diff has hte same flange, bolt size, and internal flange pinion diameter that JCI required earlier when you purchased the kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfab Posted July 1, 2009 Author Share Posted July 1, 2009 Well i have found a R200 from a 76 MT 280Z, with everything incl. stub axles, moustache bar, etc. and it should have the 3.56 gearing in it i believe. Even if the pinion dimeter and bolt spacing is different, JCI said they could send me the right one or I could send them the driveshaft and they would swap it for me. Have to wait to see if the guy still has it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zed240au Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 i would not consider running the r180 with the ls1 great little diff but dont think its big enough to handle grunt of a ls1 for long go with the r200 mick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfab Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 I just want to be sure that its gonna sit back further than the R180 I have in there now, so i can use the driveshaft that Johns Cars sent me without cutting it down an inch. If i remember correctly, even if i was just swapping the differential by itself, I would have to use the longer 280Z driveshaft as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cable Posted July 2, 2009 Share Posted July 2, 2009 If you want the cheapest/quickest option, find a '72-'78 Z with the R180 and just take the mustache bar and swap it into your car. It will move your R180 back 1.5". Then your JCI driveshaft will fit just fine. I agree with the others that you'll want the R200 in the long run. I've broken R180's with a stock L24 and a few clutch drops. However my stock, long nose R200 in BBZ lasted through a mild 383 sbc and a brute torque monster 454 bbc for several years before it died. Regardless you don't want to continue to run your R180 in the current forward position, Nissan moved it back in '72 because the angle was wearing out axle u-joints in fast hurry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfab Posted July 2, 2009 Author Share Posted July 2, 2009 I'm not necessarily looking for the cheapest route, just the most feasible. Most of the time people sell the mustache bar for as much as a whole differential! Yeah im gonna switch to the R200 for sure. Just waiting on the guy selling it to get back to me. Thanks for all the input, really helped me out. Looks like I have a diff swap in the near future. Sucks too, since the motor is in and wired. I still have the fuel system to tackle though, so that should keep me busy for a while. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfab Posted July 4, 2009 Author Share Posted July 4, 2009 Well the guy that had the diff flaked out on me, so now it looks like i have to buy a whole 280Z just for the differential and such. If anyone needs some 280Z parts, PM me with your email address, and when i get the car i will part it out. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotxqss Posted July 24, 2009 Share Posted July 24, 2009 since you have a 240 i was curious if you had the same issue as mine. with the trans fully bolted up i cant get the driveshaft at the engle needed to slip it into the trans as the yoke there hits the underside of the change cubby hole thing that protrudes into the tunnel.?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winfab Posted July 24, 2009 Author Share Posted July 24, 2009 I'm not sure, since i still dont have the tranny bolted up all the way. However, when i did the test fit, i had it jacked up pretty much where it would be, and I didn't have a problem getting the yoke on the tranny. Can you take a picture of the tranny mount location, and the problem piece thats in your way? If you want, you can email me at winfabtuning@gmail dot com directly, so its faster correspondence. Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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