300zx na vlsd install

[240Driver39]

i always kept an eye out for a vlsd online or nearby so one day
as i was roaming a upull-it nearby that i frequent, saw a 300zx that was burned out (interior fire), rear end was perfect, proceded to come back and take it out (had a nice tstorm during that which made that fun haha), got that for $34 bux, yeah, this yard is great, i also picked up a spare open diff rear cover off a 240 in the yard to clean up and swap onto the z32 one
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/p2235f3793fcb215bf6b18240595f38d1/fb732767.jpg
i liked the identical gearing, and also the fact that the abs sensors were on the side, as to not run into ne possible problems with length, but needed to deal with the 5 bolt flange, was going to pickup vlsd shafts, but instead found a nice set of pre95 j30 axles with the 5 bolt flange for 100shipped, not a bad price
cleaned em both up and just today did the install
install was pretty easy, harder part was to wiggle the diff back in the area, but having all the bolts from the z32 differential was helpful (longer front bolts, and the correct bolts for the axles), put it in with help from a few friends, the j30 axles when comparing side by side with the s13 axles were clearly better units imo.
didnt have the camera for the install, both got a few crappy shots afterwards
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/p40248a0bb084b31ac846cd03a9efca60/fb732758.jpg
yes i know my exhaust is trash haha
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/p300ed9dec02c76def101e8916217e59e/fb73274f.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/p80579177fb2586675ac92767f7221e12/fb732734.jpg
http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid73/pe07b49af24895b1dda2c9a2c474ddcef/fb73272c.jpg
impressions: i love the diff, great investment, exiting corners is a lot tighter and precise, the rear in general seems a lot tighter, traction is definately improved (area roads are bad in areas), and the occassional tail slide is a lot smoother and predictable. Total cost: ~$150, not bad at all

Sorry for the novel, just thought id toss up some info on the z32 vlsd install into an s13

if u want ne more info, just im me or pm, and i will be glad to help, but all the boards, zilvia and fa have a lot of great information too! plus just look at the stuff, cant learn everything from the internet.

later

[DRFT]

Wow nice write up aobut the VLSD. How long did it take you to finish? and is this your first v/lsd install? How would you rate it to a fisrt timer?again you did a great job!

[240Driver39]

basically bout 4-5 hours, not in any hurry or nething and we ran out for 2 bolts that i needed to get and lunch.

As for being my first diff install yeah, id say its pretty easy for a first timer, make sure u do ur research so u know what u need to go at it, just a lot of bolts and stuff to remove, and like i said, managing it back in took a lil bit. I had removed two diffs b4 recently, one the z32 diff itself and the other an open diff on another 240 for a spare rear cover. Its not bad, bolts can be stubborn at times (12 year old cars, expect it) i do all the work on the car so im not a beginner to wrenchin, but id say its bout a 4 or 5 in a scale of 10, fsm helps for torque specs, jackstands and a jack help, as do a buddy or 2 to help maneaver it in. hope that helps

[johnosu1]

With that diff. do you allways catch pozzy(or how ever you spell it)? i want to do the swap and i have been told the the 300z diff is better than the kaaz and other diffs. i want somthing that grabs pozzy evry time i want it to not evry once and a while.

[AceInHole]

Originally posted by johnosu1
With that diff. do you allways catch pozzy(or how ever you spell it)? i want to do the swap and i have been told the the 300z diff is better than the kaaz and other diffs. i want somthing that grabs pozzy evry time i want it to not evry once and a while.

By design, the VLSD in a 300zx or J30 (or VLSD equipped 240sx) will not lock untill one wheel is already slipping. If you want something that will lock completely and immediately, get a Kaaz or "other diff".

[240Degrees]

have any of you had problems with the front mounting bolts, on the nose of the differential, stripping/breaking? I ask this because I have an east coast car (road salt=rust).

[240Driver39]

no i dont think that is an issue, they arent made of a material that rusts, my old ones were perfect (threads and such) when i took them out, and my car has lived in jersey for much of its life, and now pa

[240Degrees]

cool so is it like the bolts on the tc rods?