PM35 swap diff with V35?

[NicPM35]

Looking at grabbing a LSD from a 6 speed V35. 

Having trouble finding information confirming that it's a direct fit to the 3.5 RWD Stagea. 

Different forums mention things about splines not lining up and ratios being different...

I am aware the LSD's from ARX etc will fit easy, but I have the opportunity to get a cheap V35 diff.

 

Thanks!

[GTSBoy]

They are both R200 diffs, from similar era cars, so it is likely that the housings/mountings etc are compatible.

Splines not lining up is not a problem unless the LSD has different stub axles to what the other diff has.  This is actually a strong possibility.  So if you have to keep the stub axles that belong to the centre, then you may have to look at swapping driveshafts too.  This is possible.  Most (OK, not necessarily most, but certainly many) Nissan driveshafts swap from family to family.

Ratio difference is something that you will have to work out if the change is good or bad.  It will throw your speedo out.  That's always bad.  If you can't take it, then you will be looking at swapping the CW&P from your original diff onto the LSD centre.  This is a complete disassemble of both diffs and reassembly (and proper setup) of at least one.  This is usually possible, but Nissan do have a habit of launching surprises at the unwary, where the CW bolts are different sizes in two otherwise similar diffs.

The other problem that may crop up is differences in the ABS sensors and rings.

[NicPM35]

My diff ratio seems to be 3.3, and I believe auto V35/350z also use 3.3 diffs. Anything with manual gearbox seems to use 3.5 or higher.

So I guess I should be looking for lsd's off autos

[GTSBoy]

So long as these LSDs are not viscous LSDs.  VLSDs are like AIDS, and no-one wants AIDS.

[NicPM35]

1 minute ago, GTSBoy said:

So long as these LSDs are not viscous LSDs.  VLSDs are like AIDS, and no-one wants AIDS.

Can you please elaborate why?

[GTSBoy]

VLSDs are intended for use with low torque factory engines.  Hit them with more torque than they were intended to handle, especially once they are 10 or so years old, and they just turn to single wheeling shit.

[NicPM35]

Thankfully my engine is stock, so a VLSD will work just fine. Just as they do in the AWD Stageas, 350z and V35 cars already. I used to run a tiny stock Mazda VLSD in my 260hp MX5 NA with zero troubles, so not sure what level of power you are talking about

[GTSBoy]

VLSDs are useless behind stock turbo RB20s at 14 psi.  Not a lot of power.

[Leroy Peterson]

If youre going to the trouble of swapping diffs, its worth getting something half decent. Especially if you dont knkw if its a 100% fit.
I upgraded to NM35 helical diff for my mechanically stock car and very happy with that choice. Due to the immense variety of R200 diffs, you just dont really know until you go to put it in.

[NicPM35]

The issue I'm concerned about is ratios and fitment, not what type of lsd i should be using.

[Ben C34]

Do it and post single wheel skid vids when done.

 

[NicPM35]

Such a plethora of knowledge, kindness and helpfulness in this forum. Should sell the stag so I can go back to Mazda forums it seems

[GTSBoy]

Might be the best idea.  There's no point in listening to people who have been there and done that.  What the f**k would we know?

[NicPM35]

I ask for help and I get stupid responses with no explination. I don't care about "on my car it was shit and didn't work!". I asked whether something will fit and I got shut down for even thinking of doing it in the first place 

[GTSBoy]

Don't be a f**kwit.  You asked.  I answered with useful info.  I also told you that if it was a VLSD it was a waste of time, not knowing whether Nissan persisted with putting those useless lumps of shit into cars after the R3x era.  Now that I do know, I can authoritatively tell the next guy that it is definitely a bad idea.  Thanks, you have helped the forum.

Put it this way, if you have a car that will work well with a VLSD, you don't really need an LSD at all.

[NicPM35]

So has anyone got info on V35/350z diffs? Or done the swap? Thanks in advanced! 

[NicPM35]

After some more reading, it seems the 370z auto diff is also 3.3 ratio. Anyone know if anything has changed between the 350z-370z diffs? Seems like a good potential swap too

[Leroy Peterson]

On 6/9/2018 at 9:38 AM, NicPM35 said:

The issue I'm concerned about is ratios and fitment, not what type of lsd i should be using.

and like I said, with fitment you won't really know until you go to put it in. Unless the info is on SAU or a Canadian/UK Skyline forum, you probably won't find the information via google.

The Y34 has almost identical rear end to M35/V35/Z33, all using R200 diff. I think all used 6x1 bolt half-shafts with external ABS rings on the half shafts. and NM35 helical diff needed a fair chunk of one of my half shafts machined off to fit it. The diff, fitting and machining was a bit over $500 total, which is considered a decent total price for a helical diff.
My point is, how much do you plan to save trying to use V35 diff? the cost could potentially be much higher than just sourcing something that others have proven to fit without issue.

[NicPM35]

The only options I've heard are aftermarket and cost out the arse. If I can get anything that is not an open diff, second hand on the cheap, then sign me up!

I agree you will never know for certain until you fit the diff yourself, that's why I'm asking on a forum for first hand experience. 

I see second hand diffs going for $150-250 online, so not sure why everyone is scolding me for wanting to throw in a dirt cheap replacement for a stock standard car with a shitty open diff. It's a great idea I think! 

[Leroy Peterson]

Try and get an OEM helical diff from a M35 or whatever LSD the 350Z track edition runs (unless its viscous, then avoid) and get a decent mechanic or diff specialist to fit it.

Youre right, aftermarket diffs are not worth the price for basic setups.

 

I tried an R34 R200 helical diff but the dimensions of the diff centres seemed completely different.