s13 4lug to Q45 rear end LSD AND 5lug AND uprights / knuckles - what shocks?

[Black R]

This is for my s13 coupe: my intention is to go from 4-lug to 5-lug and at the same time upgrade the entire rear end along with bigger brakes all around.

I got over to pull-a-part this weekend and for a few $ and a few hours work I got the entire rear end out of 1993 q45.

So far I have:

FRONT:
- evo calipers
- evo rotors
- evo pads
- ebay 5-lug hubs and bearings for s13 (hope these don't kill me!) and I hope I can find an oem nissan solution in the future...


REAR:
- q45 (R200) VLSD
- q45 rear hubs
- q45 rear spindle
- q45 rear uprights / knuckles (these appear to be ALUMINUM like the z32!)
- q45 rear calipers
- q45 rear ebrake assembly including cables and shoes
- q45 drivers side rear axle (this will have to be used on the passenger side)

I need to figure out what I'm going to do because I will need to change to a fork type shock perch in the rear AND I still need to pick up a few items.

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/30c2fa8f.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/ee30b9f8.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/ef71f844.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/8a643d20.jpg

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/20ab84b0.jpg

Now here are my questions:

Is there an oem shock or oem replacement shock I can use for the rear?

I can go back and get the q45 shocks if they'll work...

I'm thinking about going with the koni inserts and ground control coilover springs in the future, but want to get this done first.

The uprights are aluminum and look identical to the z32tt uprights; are they identical?

Is there any issue with using the q45 rear lower control arms? They have the correct balljoint, so I'm inclined to use them if they won't adversely affect the suspension geometry on my s13.

Will the z32 rear calipers bolt up to this? Are there any differences in dimensions between the z32 rear rotors and the q45 rear rotors?

Are there any other parts off the q45 that would be beneficial for me to go back and get? (brake booster, master cylinder, suspension arms, etc?)

Thanks in advance!

[projectRDM]

The Q45 upright is the exact same as the Z32 NA. The Z32 caliper will bolt right up, so will a J30 caliper, they're all the same rear rotor. You're lucky that wasn't a HICAS model, you'd have to press the rear ball joint out of the toe arm location and put a bushing in.

Z32 shock bolts right up to an S13 in the rear but with a fork style lower mount, we've discussed this. So if have regular shocks, order a rear pair for a Z32, if you have coilovers, hope the supplier will sell just the lower mounts and get a pair for a Z32. If not, you can cut/weld the lower mounts like I did using an old pair of blown Z32 shocks, cut the fork off, cut the ball off your coilover, bolt and weld the fork back on.

I've assumed the Aarm works too, I've never tried it, but I've used the J30 Aarm with success on an S14, and a Z32 Aarm on an S13, so as long as the mounting staunches to the subframe are the same size (they're wider on S14, S15, J30, R33, R34) the Q45 should be the same as the Z32 in terms of fit.

[Black R]

I'm currently using stock s13 shocks and eibach sportline lowering springs all around.

I'll try the q45 rear shocks from the junkyard (since they're cheap) and see how the fitment is.

[[email protected]]

As Russ stated, you'll need to use Z32 rear shocks/coilovers/lower mounts. R32 GTR will work as well, but I doubt you'll find any of those..haha

Best case: Use s13 rear coilovers with Z32 lower mounts.

[projectRDM]

I'm currently using stock s13 shocks and eibach sportline lowering springs all around.

I'll try the q45 rear shocks from the junkyard (since they're cheap) and see how the fitment is.

Did you get all of that at PullaPart North, South, or East?

I used to scour all those yards years ago before all the 240 kids learned about them, now on rare occasions when I go everything is already raped. You can't even find window amps in G20s anymore, they're all gone. I guess it's a good thing, no one wants to pay anything for used parts anymore anyway, so that $1 window amp wouldn't sell for $3 unless you gave them a handjob too. Just glad someone can still reap the benefits of cheap parts.

[Black R]

Well I found out that the q45 rear shocks are 14.75" compressed length.

And there was also a mention of needing z32 upper mounts to get the z32 rear shocks to work. And the z32 and s13 are the same length.

So now I just need to find the compressed length of the s13 or z32 rear shocks...

[projectRDM]

Well I found out that the q45 rear shocks are 14.75" compressed length.

And there was also a mention of needing z32 upper mounts to get the z32 rear shocks to work. And the z32 and s13 are the same length.

So now I just need to find the compressed length of the s13 or z32 rear shocks...

Incorrect. Use all the S13 hardware, the shocks are the exact same length and all the hardware fits right from the S13. The major difference is the Z32 shock will have a little more firmness since it's designed for a heavier car. I've done 3-4 of them locally in the past for friends, nothing complicated at all, just like putting replacement shocks on.

[Black R]

Thanks rdm!

I don't have access to z32 shocks so I'm going to try the q45 shocks since it's cheap and I can pick it up today.

[Black R]

well FML it's damn near impossible to find a z32 tt driver's side axle!

even paying $100 for autozone ones it turns out isn't viable because they're perpetually out of stock and can't special order them - even online.

AND in order to do this 'right,' I'll also need to shell out for the SPL PRO solid differential mounting bushings
SPL PARTS (http://www.splparts.com/main4/index.htm)

argh!

so now a $200 rear end has become a $400 rear end! :/

Hopefully I'll be able to sell my old lsd to recover some $...

[projectRDM]

Call either Z1 (770.838.7777) in Carrollton, or Z Car Atlanta (770.446.1090) in Norcross.

[Black R]

Yeah zcar atl wants 230 for the axle

I'm calling z1 right now

[projectRDM]

Yeah zcar atl wants 230 for the axle

I'm calling z1 right now

Good Lord. They've gone up.

Ask for Russell or John at Z1, tell them you know me (Russ) and Chad.

[Black R]

fuuuuuk it was $150 from z1

i went ahead and ordered it bc i can't wait any longer. :/

[Black R]

wow, i have to say ordering on friday and getting the axle delivered on saturday was amazing...

BUT, according to this link:

Install Guide: Q45 Differential swap into 240SX subframe - FreshAlloy.com Forums (http://www.freshalloy.com/forums/showthread.php?t=172393)

300zTT axle length = @ 24 1/2" (static while laying flat)


The axle I received from z1 is clearly 26.5" to 27" when fully compressed:

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/th_18711600.jpg (http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/?action=view&current=18711600.jpg)

http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/th_89f688d7.jpg (http://s27.photobucket.com/albums/c164/Black_R/?action=view&current=89f688d7.jpg)

(Sorry for the crappy phone pics.)

so... maybe z1 sent me the wrong one?

I did specify CLEARLY that I needed the LEFT AKA DRIVER'S SIDE axle.

Anybody know the real length of the z32tt driver's side axle?

[projectRDM]

They may have. Call and check with them, though I've never measured either one so I don't know if the data online is correct.

I was at PAP Thursday, they had just gotten in a J30 that was still fresh. I thought about pulling the diff but I didn't care enough too. They also had just unloaded a Z32 NA auto, some guy already had the calipers off and it wasn't even on stands yet. Shame, the car wasn't even wrecked, just had a bad engine apparently. It's probably a shell by now.

[Black R]

yeah, z1 had sent me the wrong axle by mistake. i sent it back and they sent me out the passenger side one, and i measured it and it is indeed 24.5" so i'm good now.

i'm probably going to go back for the driveshaft yoke and maybe the master cylinder - might as well, eh? ;)

[Steve Lloyd]

The Q45 master cylinder doesn't work on the 240sx.

Also, Enjuku has the stance diff. bushings for cheaper than the SPL bushings.

[Black R]

Thanks steve I didn't know that about the q45. I figured most Nissan stuff was interchangable and it is 1"... Ahh well that's too bad.

I'll look up the parts on enjuku so thanks for that tip as well.

[40flash]

I know this is an old thread but for anyone wanting to do the Q45 or 350Z diff swap there is another option on axles. After spending several days searching for a TT axle I accidently discoverd a solution. The 350Z/G35 driver's side axle is the exact same length you need for the Driver's side on an S14. Not sure about the length for an S13. Probably some of you know if the S14 and S13 use the same length driver's side axle.
The only signicant difference with the 300ZX TT driver's side axle and the 350Z/G35 driver's side axle is that the 350Z/G35 uses the smaller 29 spline wheel hubs that are identical to the S14 wheel hub. The 300XZ TT and the Q45 both use a 31 spline hub. What this means is that you can use the 350Z axle and just retain your S14 wheel hub assy. Bolts right in and they are much cheaper and readily availabe everywhere.
By the way, If you really want tall gears for that hibrid, the 2005-08 Pathfinder 2wd comes with 3.13 gears. They were all open diffs but the case is the same as the 350Z/G35 case which means any of the limited slips that came in or will fit in the 350Z will bolt into the pathfinder. Or you can bolt the 350Z diff into the pathfinder case. If you end up with the pathfinder output shafts, you can use your stock S14 axles by drilling new bolt holes in the giant flanges of the pathfinder. The line up ring on the s14 axle and the flange are perfect fit.
For the install info on the 350Z/G35/pathfinder diff check this out.
Wrecked Magazine – Dennis » Blog Archive » 350z Differential Install into a 240sx (http://www.wreckedmagazine.com/dennis/2010/02/21/350z-differential-install-into-a-240sx/)

[Black R]

Thanks for the heads up.

Is the 350z diff helical or viscous?