ronlcraven

Hi! I live in the central valley area (Clovis) of Calif. I'm retired and I'm currently installing a 1991 Miata rear suspension and center section in a 1963 AH Sprite. I've been told that the 1991 center section is on the weak side and I looking for info as to weather a Nissan R200 center section can be use. I have all the Miata framework welded in place and really don't want to cut it out, also I've been given a R200 rear end. So has anyone ever install the R200 in a Miata and if so what will I run into?
Thanks for any info you can give me.
Ron

rick

Welcome to v8miata.net ronlcraven.

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Hope to see you around v8m and enjoy your stay :)

charchri4

Oh now that right there is a sweet project!! I'd check in with Martian at Monster Miata and use a ford 7.5 diff in it. They are cheap, easy to find and will never leave you on the side of the road with your set up. Crazy easy to put in too.

Let us know how it turns out!! Oh and photos we need photos....:-)

ronlcraven

I have to much work and time into installing the Miata. I'm not interested in a Banjo type rear end. I have installed a Datsun 510 trailing arm suspension in a Bug Eye Sprite and now I want to do a wishbone Miata rear end but thinking of using the Nissan 240Z center section, it has a 4.62 gear ratio that would work very well as an Autocross car and with the 5 speed transmission I'm going to use will be drive able on the street.

charchri4

Oh no Martians kit is for sure not banjo type rear end. Maybe you are not clear on what the Monster kit is.

The kit I am suggesting uses the existing Miata rear frame assembly with all the suspension as they are and adapts a bullet proof Ford center section and axle shafts to it. It retains the Miata hubs, suspension and frame, and replaces the axles and center section with Thunderbird components. It is really slick and there are hundreds of V8 Miatas running around with this set up. Including mine!

So do I understand right that you are using the Miata rear frame and suspension? If so I'm not seeing the value in trying to make the Nissan work when Martians kit is proven and would make it really easy. The center section he uses is super easy to find and you have nearly endless gear ratio options for it.

The kit includes:
Diff hanger and pinion torque plate $350
Custom axle shafts with spacers and boots $450
Miata hubs broached to use the Ford axles $150

To that you need:
Reman Tbird CV joints and axles $100ish
Ford 7.5 posi diff from an 89-96 Tbird or Cougar $50 to $150
4.56 ring and pinion $175

There is no question a good fabricator and bit of machine shop work could do it much cheaper. But if you want a set up with all the R&D done that is proven to 400+ HP this is a pretty good way to go.

MRM331

Second the above. I can understand if you saw "For 7.5" and thought leaf springs may have been involved. The truth is, as Jim wrote above, the Monster Miata kit uses the pumpkin and CV's from the Thunderbird/Cougar but retains the Mazda suspension bits. You can still use and shock/spring/coilover designed for a Miata with it as well as bushing kits.

There's more here on the Ford swap info sticky:
https://www.v8miata.net/general-miat...nfo-fords-779/

Good luck,
-Jason

ronlcraven

Thanks for the info and I will look into it but as a retired machinist I well probably go with the Datsun R200. I'm not using the Miata frame work. I've Had to build my own frame work to be able to narrow up the overall width by 9". I believe it can be done but I would like to see if I can find some one who has done it for my general info before I start. I know the R160 has been used and there is little difference between them, just that the R200 is more heave duty and gears are avaible for it.

Thanks and if you think of anyone who may be able to give me some info please let me know

Ron