DIY - Differential and Ring & Pinion Swap

[Dustin]

Updated with a lot of pics!!

Originally Posted by zooki

I have nothing to add to this except to say I like your choice of beer, sir.

I'm not much of a drinker, that would be my brother. It is his beer of choice.

[Rue]

Originally Posted by Dustin

My friend has a Kaaz 2 way in his S14 and my brother has a Cucso 2 way in his AE86. Figured I'd try something new.

BULLSHITE!!! The only reason we went with the Tomei is the price. That's it. Once you decide that you're going to make the jump to a clutch type 2 way there isn't anything between the different manufacturers that you will be able to feel. The only difference is the name if you are one of those peoples who like saying you have one company's product on your car instead of another. Quality is going to be the same once you make that price jump.

I've personally installed Kaaz, Cusco, and Tomei 2-ways in several different cars and they all behave the same. They make a harsh clunking in tight turns at low speeds, like in a parking lot, and they take a meh feeling car and make it a doughnut-cutting blast.

[Dustin]

Okay.........

[SportInjected]

Good guide and pics! This is one of the things I have planned to do this winter, and I'm glad you did this write-up.

[Dustin]

Originally Posted by SportInjected

Good guide and pics! This is one of the things I have planned to do this winter, and I'm glad you did this write-up.

I'll have a little more done tomorrow evening. Will update!!

[protpibe]

Man, you know know what you're doing. Great thread!

You've also convinced me to not try this on my own

[Dustin]

Originally Posted by protpibe

Man, you know know what you're doing. Great thread!

You've also convinced me to not try this on my own

My brother knows what he's doing. I'm following his instructions. In the end it's all nuts and bolts, having the right tools, and reading measurements. The key part being having the right tools. Without a dial indicator or a good set of calipers or micrometers, this isn't possible. I say a good set of calipers, but in the end I suggest using micrometers. Tomorrow what I'm actually doing is pulling the pinion back out and double checking my measurements. I used a set of calipers and I kept having small inconsistencies. You can't have that when doing something like this.

[PantsDants]

Well color me impressed! You've probably saved ~$700 on labor costs by doing this all yourself. Do you think the amount of effort you've put into it so far is worth that? Haha

Nice job.

[Dustin]

Originally Posted by PantsDants

Well color me impressed! You've probably saved ~$700 on labor costs by doing this all yourself. Do you think the amount of effort you've put into it so far is worth that? Haha

Nice job.

Most definitely. I'm always trying to learn as much as I can. Plus I get the "bragging rights" if that's what you want to call it that I built it myself, not paid to have it done. Anybody can pay to have something built, but they'll never know the satisfaction of building something themselves and being happy with themselves over the end results. It also helps that this is not something that I'm pressured to get finished. If this was my only vehicle, and I HAD to get it done, it would probably be a different story. But having the car down for a couple of weeks is no big deal to me. I want to get it done as soon as possible, but if taking a little extra time means everything gets done properly, then I will take the extra time.

[OrbitalEllipses]

The single best DIY on this forum.

[Dustin]

Originally Posted by Dustin

Anybody can pay to have something built, but they'll never know the satisfaction of building something themselves and being happy with themselves over the end results.

Allow me to elaborate on this a little further. I know not everyone has the time or resources to do work themselves sometimes. I'm fortunate enough that I have access in one form or another to the tools and knowledge to take this on. All I'm trying to say is that anyone can throw money around and have something built and they can say, "I built this car." But the ones who do what they can instead of forking over the cash to have someone else do it for them will always in my opinion get more satisfaction from their car than the ones who pay to have it done.

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

The single best DIY on this forum.

Don't give me too much credit yet. Wait until I'm done and it's a success, lol. Thank you though.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by Dustin

Allow me to elaborate on this a little further. I know not everyone has the time or resources to do work themselves sometimes. I'm fortunate enough that I have access in one form or another to the tools and knowledge to take this on. All I'm trying to say is that anyone can throw money around and have something built and they can say, "I built this car." But the ones who do what they can instead of forking over the cash to have someone else do it for them will always in my opinion get more satisfaction from their car than the ones who pay to have it done.

There are always folks who have time AND money, but would rather throw money at the car. I've always said that I'd take suspension to a shop to do since it's a PITA and there are fairly high torque values - I never got around to doing suspension on my WRX, but this time around I said I would do it. I did and I'm better for it. Is there investment in tools? Yes, but they're tools...they WILL be useful in the future too.

Outside of engine/trans assembly, nearly everything on the car can be done in a one car garage on jack stands. Taking the time to learn how to do these things can only improve a person and as a bonus I typically do enjoy it up until that infuriating wrench-throwing moment.

[Dustin]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

I typically do enjoy it up until that infuriating wrench-throwing moment.

[Dustin]

Small update. Didn't really accomplish anything more than what has already been done, just showing a better way to do it.