R200 rear diff into early Z

[Diseazd]

When putting an R200 diff into an early Z, is there any clearance problems with the diff restraining strap? I had to "squeeze her in" when I converted my early 71 to the longer drive shaft and diff mount. Will I have the same problem with the diff strap when I change out the 180 to the 200?

[xray]

IIRC, the 72-78 driveshaft are the same length, so the R200 should fit OK if you did the modifications relating to diff mount, mustache bar, rear control arm link etc. Do you have the correct halfshafts/flanges/stubs etc?

http://forums.hybridz.org/showthread.php?t=114798

www.modernmotorsports.com

www.zbarn.com

Should have the info you need (if you didn't already have it. Sorry if it's redundant!)

[Diseazd]

Steve......I put the longer DS, late diff mount and rear diff crossmember (hanger) so I could update to the R200 which I already own. The restraining strap is anchored at a different point on the early 71's and 70's than on your 72. It was a tight fit when I put the R180 back in with the new set up. I'm wondering if anyone has put the R200 into the early 70,71 Z's and if the restraining strap was a tight fit. You've brought up a good point though.....can I use my early half shafts (will they fit the R200 without mods)? Also.....did you see my post on the Richmond Show in October? If you come up for the show we can park the 2 lime Z's together!" Two Limes Don't Make a Right"........Sorry Ron I couldn't resist that one!

Edited August 27, 2008 by Diseazd

[jmortensen]

The strap will be too far forward if you move the diff back. My solution was to move the strap mounting bracket back one hole. In order to do this you need to grind a little lip off of both sides of the trans tunnel, and what was left was enough to prevent the strap from rotating on my car. I had the front hole in the strap bracket lined up with the rear hole on the chassis and ran my car like that for years, through autoxes and track days, never had a problem.

You could also make a new bracket that spanned the front hole, middle, and the rear hole if you wanted everything tied together. WW2Winger and I were discussing that possibility via PM.

I think the best course of action though would be to get rid of the strap entirely. One easily fabricated solution is to do a clamshell type of diff mount as shown here:

http://album.hybridz.org/showphoto.php?photo=2501

[WW2Winger]

Made my brackets last night and I think they will be fine. This moves the strap 30mm rearwards which puts it in the proper place over the differential. Simply a plate with three holes. The first hole mounts to the existing forward hole on the chassis. The middle hole accepts a bolt through the front strap mount bracket hole and then into the rear chassis hole. And the third hole accepts a bolt going through the rear strap bracket. This gives the strap bracket two holes to mount to and moves the bracket back 30mm. Thanks again to John Mortensen for his consultation. It was actually his idea to move the bracket back, he just put one bolt in it, I simply added another bolt.

[Diseazd]

Thanks Jon,Steve and Winger.......once again you've helped me do it right! Guy

[Duffman]

So, if I have the 83 280zx 5 speed and matching R200 diff installed, using a later (72 to 78) diff strap and bracket will still not align correctly with the mounting holes for the diff strap bracket? I understand the 70 to 71 bracket will be too far forward, but was hoping the later version would be more offset and allow the strap to reach over the diff, is that incorrect?

Assuming I cannot use the early or later bracket, I guess I will have to create an alternative, as is mentioned above, bummer!!

[Arne]

I think the best course of action though would be to get rid of the strap entirely. One easily fabricated solution is to do a clamshell type of diff mount as shown here:

http://album.hybridz.org/showphoto.php?photo=2501

I really like this option. This is the way I'd go.

[Duffman]

Yes, Arne, that looks like the easiest solution to the problem. I am going to see if I can get this piece fabricated, probably cheaper than the $100 for the strap, bracket, etc, from Nissan!

[WW2Winger]

I may be wrong here, but I think the later style bracket will not bolt up to the early style chassis. That's why I had to go to plan "B"