ae86 diff question

[Akury]

Hi,

Does anyone know whether an LSD centre from a japanese ae86 will fit into an aussie one? Also, what would my options be (apart from locking the one in there)?

Cheers

[Akury]

Okay,

I have looked through the search and dug up as much info on the subject as i can. A few questions still remain:

1. If i get an open centre T-series JDM diff, will I be able to put in an LSD centre, and what would be involved?

2. How would i easily tell the difference between a kouki and zenki t-series rear end? (from what i read the drum and disc brakes, but just to be sure i'm thinking of getting the disc brake variety)

3. If i were to get a T-series diff, would an aussie T-18 tailshaft be suitable for the job

[Screamn_Sleeka]

As far as i know, RA40 and RA60 live axle are identical to the T series AE86.
Importing a t series live axle would be like importing a new pontiac GTO.

T series lsd's are rare from the factory and very expensive new, and remember they are only 6.7"

[RobertoX]

As far as i know, RA40 and RA60 live axle are identical to the T series AE86.
Importing a t series live axle would be like importing a new pontiac GTO.

Not exactly the same, the width varies between them and the mounting points are different but the centres are the same. Get a t18 rear diff assembly with the tailshaft and get an aftermarket kaaz or trd, this will probably be the cheapest and easiest option to get an lsd. The t18 diff has the same mounting points so will bolt straight up, it has drum brakes though. It will also have a bad ratio (3.7 or 3.9, the stock aussie one is 3.9 and the jap lsd ones are useally 4.3), to overcome this you can get a 4.1 from various celicas quite cheaply. The t18 rear may or may not have roll bar mounts on it dependin on series of t18.

The t18 tailshaft will be fine for the jap sprinter t series but you will also need handbrake cables. To see if the jap t series is large or small axle you can pull out an axle and look at the bearing, it will be a really wide double row one, there may be a way to tell from the outside?

On my car I have a t18 rear end and tail shaft which I found in a wreckers ($70), at the same time I exchanged the centre for an auto Ra40 one (4.1 gear ratio) then I installed it to my car and got the sway bar mounts from the old diff welded on ($20). I also replaced the outer bearings, seals and drums and shoes (another $100). All I need now is a decent lsd centre and I'll be right.
A jap lsd disc rear end will usually be about $1000-1500 and have a 20yr old factory lsd that isn't too worn out if you're lucky.


This has been covered lots and lots on this forum and also on ae86drivingclub.com.au so maybe search using 't18', 'kouki/zenki' etc etc