200 SX Turbo R200 Rear end and Zx caliper conversion.

[74FAIRLADYZ]

I posted a comment regarding the rear end noise on my Z last week. After considering the feedback, I have decided to replace all the bearing, bushings, rear insulator, ect. One of the replies from a very knowledgable Z owner suggested to me that the 200SX Turbo came with a R200, 4.11 gears. Has anyone installed one of these in their car? Is it a direct bolt on? I have not yet went to my local Z salvage yard to check it out.

My other question regards the Disc brake conversion. I have realized that I am not going to be able to do the 240SX conversion due to my wheel size. Has anyone done the ZX swap, and if so were larger rims, other than the 14x7 offset work with these. I believe the ZX rotor are smaller than the 84-85 300Z rotors used with the 240Sx calipers.

Travis

[2ManyZs]

If you can find one of the R-200's out of the Turbo sx it will require some changes. You will need the lower suspension crossmember from a 280, the 280 crossmember has a curve in it to clear the larger diff. You will also need to replace the front diff mount. I have not seen a 200sx Turbo diff, but it stands to reason that you will need to change the stub axle flanges and possibly the pinion flange as well. Not sure if the 200sx used CV joints or not, but I believe they may have. They only made the Turbo 200sx for 2 years, 85-86 so they may be hard to find in the junkyards.

You would be further ahead to try to find an R-180 out of a 84-88 Non Turbo 200sx and only have to change the flanges over, or, find a front diff out of a 720 4x4, 6/83-12/85 which will also have an R-180 4:11. An R-200 is not really needed with the L series engine, the R-180 will hold up just fine. Easier just to swap over your axle flanges than to have to find more parts to bolt in the R-200.

Your brake question is fairly easy. The 79-83 280zx came with 14 inch wheels, so the brakes should fit fine. The 84+ 300zx came with 15 inch wheels so if you were to go with 300zx brakes, you would need the 15 inch wheels to clear the brakes.

[74FAIRLADYZ]

Your more helpful than the Chiltons manual.

Do you know if anyone makes or sells an adapter for the E-brake for the ZX Brake conversion, and the brake lines?

[2ManyZs]

Hmm, you stumped me on that one.:stupid:

Come to think of it, I haven't been seeing the 280zx discs conversion kits advertised anywhere lately. I know they should be out there somewhere. You will also need a caliper mounting plate (takes the place of the drum backing plate) to mount the caliper. Try Arizona Z car, I'm pretty sure they used to offer them. I looked on their web-site and don't see them though. Maybe they can point you in the right direction to get the parts to do the conversion. At one time nearly everyone had a kit, now they seem to be disappearing.

[spudz]

Fairlady,

I left you a message in Zdriver.com about the rear end.

In addition to what 2manyZ's said. I have heard of one

guy using the 200SX turbo rear end and Eagle 4 wheel

drive front halfshafts as a bolt in to the Z. I wish I would

have kept that post. We might be bringing in some used

Nissan LSD units out of Japanese Skylines. Not sure yet

on if its a go and when

[2ManyZs]

While the site was down, I was off looking around at those"other" Z sites:stupid: and saw a 200SX R-200 advertised for sale on zcar.com, might be worth a look.

[onemore240]

Why not run a R180 3.90 which 2Many has turned me onto This saves 20 lbs over the R200 again pointed out to me by 2Many (thx a lot).

Another note, whichever disk/caliper conversion you decide to you; make sure you upgrade your brake master cylinder for proper fluid pressure/movement...if not...it’s not fun -- trust me I know from personal experience.

[2ManyZs]

The only bad part is finding a 3:90 R-180, they were offered for a short time in the 720 4X4 pickups as a front diff. They were offered from only 1/83-6/83. Perhaps a better solution is to get a 4:11 from the 720 4X4 pickup as they were offered form 6-83 to 12/85. Might have an easier time finding them in a junkyard. Also the 84-88 NON Turbo 200sx had the R-180 4:11, so take your time and look around the junkyards, hard to tell what you might find.

There are a couple places you can get an R-180 with either a 3:90 or 4:11 but can't remember the website right now. Send a message to mperdue as I think he recently bought one.