chancy31

I have been working slowly on putting a small block chevy in my 82' max

I have got the motor, tranny, driveline, and exhaust all pulled and am now building the motor.

I am glad to hear the rear end ratio is 3.54 (I hoped it was around there). I plan on using the stock rear end untill I tear it out.

Does anybody know if the maxima came w/ a factory limited slip?
Also how much do you think the stock rear end will take? I think I will have problems with the CV joints, but think it will hook up nicely because it is indendent.

Thanks.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

The 810 max is bascily a 4 door 240/260/280z/zx/300zx. From what I remember from my 510 days, these oem rearends are pretty strong. I would say the stocker could probably handle 300hp if you diddn't beat on it too much. I don't think any of the stock rears came with lsd. But some of the 300ZXs might have. I know they make them. I had a R200 4.11 lsd rearend I had for my 510 but never put in. Sold it for $400 15 years ago. hehe

maximase86

iTrader: (24)

Yeah, like Jeff said, Datsun rear-ends were pretty much the same throughout the model lineup. They are pretty strong rear-ends, and 300hp would probably be a pretty conservative estimate of what they handle. As for the LSD, I know the 300zx's from 84 on had em as option. I know the rear ends seem to be able to take a beating pretty well. So it's probably something you can hold off on until you decide to build up the rear-end for more power.

S

chancy31

great info. guys

Jeff92se: do you know how I could find one of the r200 rear ends w/ the 4.11 and lsd. sounds interesting but probably can't afford it. definately would be something to save for.

Jeff92se

iTrader: (82)

Start digging around Z31.com and the other Z forums.

wylie-c

I also remember reading somewhere about people using Subaru rear ends in 510's. Some of them had LSD's.

Cray54

Like everyone said, 300hp is a good estimate for the stock rear end which is an R180 for you and is not an LSD. If you want to put an lsd in most easily/cheaply, you have to find an 87 300zx Turbo (that is not white i believe) with a finned back cover on the diff. This is an R200 3.7 LSD. The R200 is stronger and slightly bigger than the R180. You will need to modify the rear mount to get it to fit and you will need to get the half shaft inserts from a 280ZX (one that came wth an R200... I think it was just the turbos and automatics that had it).

The Subaru rear end guys use in their 510s was an R160 which is both smaller and not as strong, I would not recommend that with an sbc.

For more information, go to www.zcar.com and do a search on the 70-83 Tech forum for LSD. They are very helpful for any drive train questions you may have, and www.hybridz.org is the forum to go for more swapping info.

-Chris

Bleach

Yup, I was about to say the Maxima has the weaker R180. The R200 is good for about 300 lbs of torque, but the R180 only about 220.

The 1975-78 280Z had an R200 3.54 in all auto and manual transmission cars. Then the 1979 280ZX had a mixture of R180 and R200 in 3.36, 3.54, and 3.7 depending on trim level, 2-seater or 2+2 and auto or manual. confusing!

Basically skip 1980... I forgot what they did then. I think R200 3.7

1981-83 non-turbo 5-speed 280ZX. R200 3.9:1 gears
1981-83 non-turbo 5-speed 280ZX R200 3.54
1981-83 turbo AT/5-speed 280ZX R200 3.54
all open differentials.

1987-89 300ZX turbo 3.7 R200 LSD! The 1987 white 300ZX turbo SE has a vicious LSD with different half-shaft splines in it. Avoid that transmission. They originally had a sticker on the side of the diff that says VICIOUS! but who knows if it has fallen off by now.

Swapping to an R200 3.54 probaly won't be much work at all. You could just yank the whole driveline, R200, and half-shafts from an auto 280ZX or turbo 280ZX and you should have the parts you need in one shot. Don't worry about LSD. You won't be autocross racing this V8 Maxima.