What donor cars can I get an R200 from?

[FinalAngel]

I'm looking for a R200 rear end to go on my 74 260. I *thought* that only the Z's had them but I've seen some from other newer Nissan's that people sell to go on the Z's. What different cars could I rip this out of? Also what other parts would I need to finish the conversion?

[2ManyZs]

Some of the newer cars did use an R-200 but they used a different stub axle flange for use with CV joints. Some of them can be changed and a few I think are not compatible at all. Or require more work than is feasible.

I would look for one from a 280 or 280Zzx up to 83. Keep in mind that some of the 280Z's used an R-180 though. I believe some of the 77-78's used the R-180 but am not sure if they all did.

Probably be a lot cheaper to look for one from a ZX if possible. They started offering a LSD in 87 but I think those are the rears that are the hardest to swap because of the stub axle flanges.

[FinalAngel]

Some of the newer cars did use an R-200 but they used a different stub axle flange for use with CV joints. Some of them can be changed and a few I think are not compatible at all. Or require more work than is feasible.

I would look for one from a 280 or 280Zzx up to 83. Keep in mind that some of the 280Z's used an R-180 though. I believe some of the 77-78's used the R-180 but am not sure if they all did.

Probably be a lot cheaper to look for one from a ZX if possible. They started offering a LSD in 87 but I think those are the rears that are the hardest to swap because of the stub axle flanges.

Thanks for the help. Are there any aftermarket LSDs that could be swapped in? I'm going to be making a minimum of 300 HP and I'm really gonna need a strong rear end with some traction.

[2ManyZs]

There are LSD's available if you can find them. They are starting to be hard to find. Nissan competition may still have some. Another option will be a Quaiffe, they aren't much more expensive than the LSD's and are a geared diff like the Torson units.

Last I knew the LSD's were in the 750 dollar range and the Quaiffe's were about 900.

[FinalAngel]

I saw this on ebay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1853731592&rd=1

Should I try to get in on it? I don't have an R200 yet but this seems like a REALLY good deal to me. Sorry I just got my Z, uber-n00b right now.

[2ManyZs]

At the price it is right now, it's a good deal. If it starts getting up near the 600+ range it would be a little harder to justify. Only good thing is this one is a brand new unit.

If I had an R-200 sitting here that needed one I would be bidding against you. :tapemouth

If you really want one I say go for it. Good luck.

[HS30-H]

Hi FinalAngel,

I quite often see posts like yours, and I could not resist answering.

As you are in the USA, you will probably need to look for an R200 from a later Z model ( the Z31 series would probably be the best bet ) and like 2Many said, you will then have the problem of needing to match up the output shafts with the stub axles already on your car. What you need to do is pop out the output shafts on the newly-sourced R200 ( presuming it has the CV-joint type of output shaft flanges ) - they are just a push fit with a spring circlip into the main body of the housing - and pop in a pair of earlier ones from a non CV-joint type output-shaft R200. Its a straight swap.

If you have an RLS30 "260Z" then I am wondering what diff. is already installed. Have you checked? Are you sure you don't already have an R200 installed?

If you only have an R180 in the car, then you will also need a rear crossmember ( "moustache bar" ) from an R200-equipped RLS30 body ( try looking under some 2+2's ) which would also be a good source for the output shafts you need.

It surprises me that people seem to look around for information on diffs without talking about ratios. Surely it must be a matter that you want to think about? They did not all have the same ratios you know.

If you were in any other territory than the USA, then you could have a bit of happy hunting looking underneath about twenty other models of Nissan apart from the Zs that were R200-equipped from the factory. Bad luck.

What's this engine that's going to have "minimum 300" horsepower? I presume you are not talking about the L-series six that the Nissan God intended!?

And personally I think that the NISMO LSD being auctioned on e-bay by Courtesy Nissan would still be a good deal even if it does go above $600. That retail price of $750 is a USA-market adjusted price ( they adjust them DOWN just for you ) and they are much more expensive than that in Japan!

Why don't people want to pay for quality?

Alan T.

[2ManyZs]

Only two ratios were offered here in the US as far as I know. 3.36 and 3.54 were the only ones that were from the factory.

The 75 280 was the first to use an R-200 unless the late 74 1/2 260 had one as well. Would need confirmation on that from someone who knows the late 260's better than I.

Only reason I would balk at buying the Nismo LSD unit for a price approaching 750 would be that it might be possible to purchase a Quaiffe unit for nearly the same price. The prices on them have been falling as more and more of them are available. At one time they were over 1K each here in the US, last time I priced one they were nearing the 800 dollar mark.

There has been a lot of debate on the pros and cons of the LSD versus the Quaiffe unit. I guess it boils down to what you can afford and find when you need one.

Sounds to me like you are planning a V-8 swap. Probably the best source for information on V-8 swaps is www.hybridz.com if that is what you are planning.

[FinalAngel]

Yep V8 swap, sorry purists.

How would I go about identifying if I do have a R200? The previous owner(s) before me have done lots of different things to this car and it's not quite original anymore.

[V8-240Z]

To ID the R180 look at the differential where the axles go into the differential. The R180 has a plate bolted on with 5 bolts that the side axles pass through. The R200 has no plate on the side.

[Sleeper78Z]

Only two ratios were offered here in the US as far as I know. 3.36 and 3.54 were the only ones that were from the factory.

The ZXs have 3.70s and 3.90s, all of which bolt in, including the axle flanges. 3.36s are very rare, found only in one year/model of the ZX, escapes me which one.

[Cuong Nguyen]

Hi all,

I'm using a KAAZ 1.5 way LSD in my R200 diff. It’s a clutch plate type LSD. H

Here is the link for the US page for KAAZ:

http://www.kaazusa.com/

KAAZ is a top Japanese manufacturer.