Ring and Pinion

[WW2Winger]

I'm currently running an R-200 rear end in my track car and I have 4:11 gearing. I would like to find a Ring and Pinion set in lower gears. Does anyone have a lead, or source? thanks

[zKars]

Numerically lower or higher ratio?

I noticed MSA via Kameri has a listing for a ring/pinion sets in 3.154, 4.875 and 5.143

Motorsport! Kameari R200 Differential Gear Set, 4.875 Ratio, 70-89 Z/ZX - The Z Store! Nissan-Datsun 240Z-260Z-280Z-280ZX-300ZX(Z31/Z32)-350Z-370Z Parts

[jmortensen]

There was a 4.375 out of the Skylines (R31? R32?). Finding a loose ring and pinion is going to be big bucks and installing is not easy. I'd suggest you just look for the whole diff.

[WW2Winger]

Lower, meaning a 4.37 or 4.58, etc. Thanks Jon, yes, I would take the whole diff if someone had one worth the money. I understand the Kameari units are ver, very $$$$$$$.

[LeonV]

I have a 4.375 R200 CLSD (longnose) out of an R31 GTS-R but can't see myself parting with it... sorry for the tease!

Edited February 28, 2013 by LeonV

[WW2Winger]

Your tease even included pictures !! Shameless.

[LeonV]

Your tease even included pictures !! Shameless.

I know, I'm a terrible person! Are you sure you really need the lower gears? What makes you want something lower than a 4.11?

[WW2Winger]

The tracks we go to, I very seldom get to 5th gear. Actually only two tracks and they are Circuit of the Americas (and I will probably never be there again due to high cost) and Texas World Speedway where I go to 5th and very shortly go back to 4th. I have a close ratio 5 speed FYI. Spend most of the track time in third and fourth which tells me that there is more acceleration to be gained.

[five&dime]

If the ring gear is the same diameter, wouldn't the install be pretty straight forward (if you have the tools and know how of course)? I am having a friend with the dial indicator and magnetic base swap a 3.62 into my M5 3.15 diff. It is a direct bolt in b/c both are 210mm. From what I understand, you would just need to check the backlash and make sure the new one is the same correct? And then just install new pinion gear bearings. And I know BMW is not Datsun but I was able to pick up the 3.62 gearset from an M3 for $80 as that is the going rate. Gearsets should be fairly cheap if used. My only concern would be finding a gearset lower that 4.1x. Did the R200's even come with an option like that in any vehicle?

I have been trying to learn as much as I can about diffs as I am building my E39 LSX car. I was going to try and go from a 2 clutch to a 3 but after reading about having to machine the case for that and change the pinion gear depth, I decided to keep it simple. I just hope the 2 clutch 210mm can hold up to 500+ ft lbs.

Edited March 1, 2013 by five&dime

[jmortensen]

Swapping a ring and pinion requires 4 settings: pinion depth, pinion bearing preload, carrier bearing preload, and backlash. It's not rocket science but you can't just throw it in there and set backlash and go.

Here is a generic set of instructions mostly geared towards American cars and trucks: http://www.ringpinion.com/Content/HowTo/TechnicalInstructions/Yukon_Installation_Kit_Instructions.pdf

[five&dime]

Swapping a ring and pinion requires 4 settings: pinion depth, pinion bearing preload, carrier bearing preload, and backlash. It's not rocket science but you can't just throw it in there and set backlash and go.

Here is a generic set of instructions mostly geared towards American cars and trucks: http://www.ringpinion.com/Content/HowTo/TechnicalInstructions/Yukon_Installation_Kit_Instructions.pdf

Great link! Is it correct that for a regular re-build, you get the pinion depth, bearing preload and carrier bearing preload etc before you dissasemble and then use those same specs for the re-build and then check for the proper mesh (knowing that you may have to change those a few times in order to get the proper mesh/backlash)

[jmortensen]

Yes, and typically the pinion depth shims won't change from ratio to ratio. They'll change from housing to housing usually. So start with what was in there already.