[old_s13]

A drivetrain section should be created. In addition, there should be discussion of the various different differentials, output shafts and axles that fit our cars.

The basic R200 found on the S-chassis uses either a 3x2 (3 pairs of 2) or 5-bolt flanges. S-chassis output flanges are secured with 8mm hardware.

The larger R200 found on the J30, NA Z32 use 5-bolt flanges. These axles are secured with 10mm hardware.

The R230 found on the Z32 TT & Q45 use 6-bolt flanges. These axles are secured with 10mm hardware.

[jr_ss]

The majority of the S-chassis' in the US came with the 4.083 gearing. There are various other ratios available for the R200; 3.9, 4.3, 4.6 to name a few.

[old_s13]

Correction, ALL S-chassis in North America came with 4.083 gearing.

The other final drives exist on:
200SX (CA18DET)
180SX/Silvia (SR20DE)
180SX/Silvia (SR20DET)

[KiLLeR2001]

'92 to early '94 J30 models use the 5x1 output shaft / axle setup. Late '94 to '97 J30's use a 3x2 output shaft / axle setup. '97 J30 models have a different spline count than the '95-'96 (29-spline). Most likely the '97 J30 uses a 30-spline output shaft, although not yet confirmed.

S15 HLSD uses a 30-spline 3x2 output shaft.

[aligoodn]

If you would like to be able to run early J30 axles (ball-in-cage cv vs weak tripod style) with your S15 HLSD, R34 GTT output shafts are the ticket to get that 5x1 bolt pattern. I'm currently running that setup in my S14.

Nissan part numbers: 38220-0V771 and 38220-0V770

They are about $100 each from rhdjapan.

[KiLLeR2001]

^ Good info.

It appears the J30 switch is as follows...

01/92 - 12/93: 5x1 bolt pattern axles with ball-in-cage CV joints. 29 spline 5x1 output shafts.
01/94 - ?: 3x2 bolt pattern axles with tripod CV joints. 29 spline 3x2 output shafts.
? - 09/97: 3x2 bolt pattern axles with tripod CV joints. 30 spline 3x2 output shafts.

I cannot confirm when the switch was made from 29 to 30 spline output shafts... But I know there is a difference because I pulled a pumpkin off of a '97 J30 at the junkyard and attempted to fit those output shafts into my S14 VLSD with no luck. I then took my S13 open diff output shafts and fit them into the S14 VLSD just to see and they fit just fine. The S13 open diff output shafts did not fit into the '97 J30 differential, and by not fit I mean, splines not meshing.

If I had to make a guess I'd say the switch was made for the '97 year model, as it seems people who pull from '95/'96 models seem to be able to interchange output shafts with other various 29 spline VLSD's.