Turbovin

iTrader: (2)

So I discovered that the R180 3.9 plated rear diff I got with my JDM 6-speed conversion really didn't have any preload at all. I disassembled the diff and noticed that the top and lower spring plates were really flat. I compared with the spring plates I replaced from my Type R's original R180 when I rebuilt it many years ago and they were about 1mm higher so that would explain why no preload.

The friction plates and discs were actually in better condition than they were on my Type R's R180 so I think it would be enough to swap the spring plates.

I know there's the complete overhaul kit to buy and I have much of it left because I bought it the last time. I really don't want to buy the complete kit again as I only need new spring plates, I have plenty of friction plates and discs. So is there anyone selling just the spring plates or should I try using the old ones from my Type R and perhaps add some thicker friction discs/plates to compensate for some wear? (My Type R hade about 45000 km on the clock when I rebuilt the diff, the 3.9 R180 should be about 100000-110000 km)

Not the easiest to see in this picture but the spring plate with double the mileage is on the left and my original R180's on the right. It's far more compressed losing about 2mm total stack height.

Turbovin

iTrader: (2)

The original Type R spring plates are actually 1.85mm thick where the newage Spec C plates were 1.50. The spring plates included in the STI overhaul kit are also 1.85mm.

Got a decent result using 1.85mm plates and some other differences, a preload of about 85-90 Nm. Would probably have been better with new parts but a lot better than before where I couldn't even get 30 Nm.