Diff Carrier differences

[Mr. J]

Is there any difference between the R200 and R200V diff carriers from an S13? The reason I ask is because I need a R200(V) carrier to install a S15 HLSD and possibly a 4.636 R&P set. My S13 originally had a R180 diff. Thanks.

[kingkilburn]

I don't think S13s came with R180s.

[Matt93SE]

The r180 only came on the early Datsun Zs. They went to an R200 in the '82ish 280ZX.

If you have an R180 in your car, it's definitely not original.

That said, I'm not sure if the R200 and R200V differences will allow the diff to mount up. There should be some definitive info out there on the other R200 swap FAQs/writeups on Zilvia, FA, and whatnot. I *think* you need a regular R200 diff and you'll need the S15 output shafts as well since they use a different spline count than the stock output shafts.

[orion]

The ring and pinion will determine which diff housing you need, as the pinion length will be different for say....a J30 diff (with the extra length on the front, for the ABS sensor).

You *should* be able to use ANY R200 housing FROM A 240SX, provided it's a non-ABS diff...and assuming your 4.36R&P is meant for a 240SX (like the Nissan Motorsports gear set).

As for the diff itself...the 'center' matched the output shafts...but I assume you have both, and it will then work with ANY R200 out of the 24SX as well.

- Brian

[Def]

As someone that's about to swap an S15 HLSD from a 4.08 R200 to a 4.36 R200V housing, I can't tell any difference between the two. The R200V housing is out of an A31 Cefiro, but it's the same as an S13 diff in every detail except the 5 bolt axles.

[Epstein]

I don't think S13s came with R180s.

Japan-market non-turbo S13 got R180's, I'm pretty sure. That may be restricted to 88-90 cars, I'm not sure.

Ever see the 2nd pair of unused holes in an S13 subframe where the diff mounts?....

[Mr. J]

As someone that's about to swap an S15 HLSD from a 4.08 R200 to a 4.36 R200V housing, I can't tell any difference between the two. The R200V housing is out of an A31 Cefiro, but it's the same as an S13 diff in every detail except the 5 bolt axles.

Great, just the info I was looking for.

Japan-market non-turbo S13 got R180's, I'm pretty sure. That may be restricted to 88-90 cars, I'm not sure.

Ever see the 2nd pair of unused holes in an S13 subframe where the diff mounts?....

That's right, from what I have learnt, NA S13's and S14's were equipped with the R180 in Japan (mine is a '91 Silvia Q's). It has a 4.111 ratio gear set. Here is what came out (and my car was 100% unmolested when I imported it):

[logr]

I'm not sure what you are doing but the pinion bearings can be different for JDM and USDM.

[Mr. J]

I'm not sure what you are doing but the pinion bearings can be different for JDM and USDM.

Well, I've picked up a North American market R200V carrier and diff and already have a S15 HLSD with matching output shafts. The only thing I still need is a R&P set, which I might try and source from a Xterra.

[logr]

That should work as long as you use the USDM bearings. You will need new ones or use the Xterra ones if they have the same OD as your carrier. I bought a new 4.6 and did just what you are. Not using it now but.....

[Def]

Can you just use the whole R200 case from an XTerra? It's a major PITA to try to measure the pinion height with it installed in the case. Nissan has some tools that make it easy, but otherwise it's a huge PITA. I had two shops give it a go when I had a 4.36 R&P and they both majorly screwed it up.

Much easier to let the factory set the diff up and then just swap the guts over. My 2 cents from having been there, done that, got the Fin' t-shirt.

BTW, diff is out of the car, about to start transfering the junk over. Want to get the Loctite/RTV curing before I break for lunch, then toss it in after a few hours.

[Mr. J]

Unfortunately, only the R&P from the Xterra are interchangeable. I agree about letting the factory set the Pinion height. I have no idea where to take the carrier to have the Pinion install to factory specs and I don't particularly want to be running the stock R200 gearing since my car came with 4.111 (in the R180) and I now have slightly taller tires.

[Def]

4.36 is available in quite a few R200 cars in Japan. Not as short as 4.64, but it's easy to find diffs with that ratio.