Subie LSD Axles, etc....

Folks,

I need to ditch the spool diff in my AutoX car and go with something (Much) easier to drive....

Car is a TR Spitfire/GT6, looking to drop in the Nissan/Subie/etc R160 diff, probably sourced from hot rod WRX or similar car.

There are numerous stories of folks swapping in the rear diff from a Subie/Nissan to the TR and getting all the advantages of a modern LSD axle with improved reliability as a FREE extra benefit.

I have tried to poll several of the Subie enthusiast clubs with little response so far...

My questions to the Forum:

1. Does anyone know a good source for Subie axle info? Clubs/Raceshops/etc?
2. Does anyone know of a reference for the Factory assembly codes stamped on the top of the Diffs? For example, I looked at 2 diffs at Blakes Salvage in Erie CO, one was stamped "BK" and the other "EF". Both were alleged to be LSD's, hard to tell without stub axles. These 2 codes should tell what the ratio is and whether the diff is open or LS. Just gotta find a reference for these codes. Does anyone have this Reference info?
3. Does anyone know of any shops in CO or the Mountain district that are expert on this sort of stuff? (Not limited to CO but it would be handy if an expert is nearby....)

All tips and help is appreciated

TIA,

Rog Smith Boulder CO 303 494 0140

Rog-sorry to be so little help, but can you post bigger pics of your Spit for me please?

ummm yeah very little help here too but therres some stuff going on over here in AUS about putting the subaru LSD into a datsun 1600 P510 seems easy enough to me i think. just find somone whos upgrading their rally car?

Lots of Subaru/510 diff swap info here. http://kmhafer.datsun510.com/Subaru.htm

I looked into this quite some time back (been messing with Spitfires forever) and I keep coming back to the same problem: the Spitfire axles try to pull the stub axles out of the diff. The only way I know of to work around that with a Datsun diff is to find one where the stub axles bolt in, the bolt goes into the spider gear. Otherwise, it's possible the stub axle will pop out of the diff. IIRC the older 240's, 260's and 510's were the only ones with bolt in stub axles and allegedly those are not compatible with the Subie R160/180 diff.

Using GT6 axles and lower control arms would fix that, but you now have the wonky GT6 rear camber curve to deal with. All this is why I built a complete custom rear suspension for the Abomination (my rotary powered Spitfire) which now belongs to Toyman01.

Jensenman wrote: IIRC the older 240's, 260's and 510's were the only ones with bolt in stub axles and allegedly those are not compatible with the Subie R160/180 diff.

I can add a little to this. I have a WRX and a 240z (Lemons car) - I've busted diffs in both this year, and at one point had them lying side by side to compare. The 240z axles do bolt to the diff, other than that they are very similar. How similar? i don't remember :)

Side note, but if you are making decent power I'd suggest an R200.

Folks,

Larger photo attached:

Thanks to all for the info.

Rog

To source them. You want 2000 and 2001 2.5rs, the old impreza body style. Then 2002-07 in the wrx models. Make sure you get a manual transmission model.

Folks,

Project notes:

The "BK" and "EF" codes above are for Viscous LS diffs. The Alldata data base available at the local library has all this build info. (For Subies anyway)

Did an Acad Kinematics study using the design file for the SLA suspension in the car. By putting the Subie stub axles in light compression, (Preload on the rotoflex), I should be able to prevent Stub axle pullout....

Jensenman: Do you have a recommendation for easily adjustable front shocks for the Spitfire front suspension?

Thanks to all,

Rog

I used Yamaha R1 shocks on my project. 22 adjustments compression and rebound, they use 2 1/4" springs. But the downfall is cam type preload adjusters.

On my current Jensen Healy project, I am using DR3855 QA1 single adjustables (they are available in double adjustable as well). Those have threaded sleeves and interchangeable upper mounts so you can make a very simple adapter plate to mount them to the stock Spitfire upper mount. They use 2 1/2" springs. Size chart here:

http://qa1.thomasnet.com/viewitems/proma-star-reg-single-and-double-adjustable-shoc-2/proma-star-reg-single-and-double-adjustable-shocks?&plpver=1001&bc=1001|1004|1026|3001298

They are pretty reasonably priced and turning the adjuster actually does something. You want to shoot for 40% down/60% up travel when picking shocks.