FAQ: Limited Slip Diffs

Hey guys,

There has been lots of discussion on these but no one definitve thread that I can find that sums up all the info as a quick reference. Perhaps this could be moved to the "Already Answered" section once complete.

What LSDs can be stuck in the S12 - and out of which exact models cars.. ?
(From some discussion with Neb prior to learning of this forum it seems the R200 Long Nose is the best point of call - are there others? Also from what model cars - I've seen R31 turbo, etc - can we get a full list? Recently seen advertised a R200 long nose from a HR31 - is this the same as the Z31's?)

Also what other mods are required: Neb mentioned a Z31 300ZX driveshaft for the above diffs - this the same for all of the options mentioned above?

Cheers.. :bow:

well this will only work if those who have installed a lsd(i think 2-3 people) list exactly what worked.. otherwise there no need to have people say "this and this will work" all from word of mouth...hate to be a ass but if we dont have people answer this who have done the swap or have seen the swap this post will be locked... but i hope it wont come to that

well this will only work if those who have installed a lsd(i think 2-3 people) list exactly what worked.. otherwise there no need to have people say "this and this will work" all from word of mouth...hate to be a ass but if we dont have people answer this who have done the swap or have seen the swap this post will be locked... but i hope it wont come to that

Ok this is info I can provide from what I did. I took the VLSD from a 240sx and swapped out my open diff. I ONLY SWAPPED THE INNARDS. Also this will only work if you have an R200 Diff. I needed no extra parts except for new oil seals and a new Diff case gasket. My original halfshafts fit right in.

I had an '88 V6. I now am swapping the diff case with the vlsd from my 88 into the shell of an '87 CA20E. From what I am seeing all I have to swap is the diff case and the halfshafts.

Ok this is info I can provide from what I did. I took the VLSD from a 240sx and swapped out my open diff. I ONLY SWAPPED THE INNARDS. Also this will only work if you have an R200 Diff. I needed no extra parts except for new oil seals and a new Diff case gasket. My original halfshafts fit right in.
Is the swapping of the internal gears something that any hobbyist can do at home, or would you reccomend people take the differential to a machine shop to swap for you?

There is nothing on a S12 you can't do yourself. You just have to rate your own confidence and knowledge and decide weather to do it yourself or not.
All i can add is that there is a LSD available for the H190 live axle rear end but no it's not common. You can look but you might not find and it'll probably be expensive.

Dan it should be no big deal to swap just the carrier. Use the shims that you take out on the same side of the carrier and swap your old ring gear onto the lsd.

I have not done this on my R200, but I have done it before with excellent results. The only special tool you should need is a torque wrench.

The only reason I can forsee it needing to be taken to a machine shop would be to press on new carrier side bearings.

Well I originally had the R180 and have recently purchased an R200 longnose from the R31 DET Skyline. A rear support hanger/bracket is needed as well as the '6 bolt' halfshafts as the model it came from has the 4 bolt pattern.

I always forget to tell people about the hanger, i used the R180 hanger and just hit it with a die grinder to get the slots nice and big for the larger R200 rear casing bolts. Z31 300ZX driveshafts work in the S12, some others probably work to but i used Z31 shafts.