KE70 Differential Swap Recs

[Lonk]

Howdy Corolla enthusiasts.

I'm in need of a new diff for my KE70, i've heard the T series diffs are the way to go. I am planning on putting a 4AGZE in it and was wondering if that is still the case and if so where should I look. I've seen some people have luck finding T series diffs out of RA60 Celicas. There are a couple of unnames 3rd Gen Celicas in the yards around me. How would I know if they have a T series (sorry, I'm a bit of a newbie).

Thanks in advance!

[altezzaclub]

The standard BorgWarner diff used in Aussie has a steel plate on the back of it, where you lift the crownwheel out if you need to. 

The Japanese banjo style T-series have no plate on the back and the whole front of the diff unbolts.  You will soon spot them, they are completely different in manufacture.

Check the build plate too, it will have the diff designation on there.

Find the topic where I swapped the Girls KE70 diff and check out the panhard changes etc. especially the washers needed for the different hole sizes in the arm mounts.

Check out the vans in the wrecker too, take a tape to measure the widths and see what you can find. The Celica T-series diff brings larger diameter brakes, a wider diff but mind the ratios.

Make sure you get all the bolts for the T-series too.

Edited March 7, 2025 by altezzaclub

[Lonk]

Its been a while.

 

I managed to find the housing for the T-series from an old Celica in my local yard. No diff unfortunately, but that's alright because I'm thinking I'd like an LSD to support the new engine anyways. Are there still any places that sell LSD's for this housing and if so which ones are recommended.

 

Thanks again

Edited September 7, 2025 by Lonk

[altezzaclub]

OS-Giken make LSDs for them, meant to be one of the best as they use more clutches than the cheap ones. Toyota run diffs in close sizes and things like the Tarago center won't fit a Celica, so check the sizes carefully before you buy something..

Edited September 7, 2025 by altezzaclub

[parrot]

There are numerous aftermarket manufacturer options available. T series are 6.7 inch. A quick google will throw up assorted options and if you source an open centre with a gearset in good condition you can get the LSD installed into that.

You could take a punt on a second hand complete LSD centre. They are readily available having been available on various models from TA22/TE27 in the early 70’s, to AE86’s in the mid 80’s in various ratios. Yahoo Japan can be a good place to get an affordable centre.  Use a broker to bid and ship. In Australia I use Import Monster for heavier/bulkier/dirty items, or Impex for smaller/clean items. They work very well for me but you may find better options.

Be aware that if you buy a complete centre you need to take into account the axle diameter required. Zenki (early) axles are smaller, kouki (later) are larger. 
 

I’m not sure if the housing trailing arm mounting points are correct for the KE70 depending on which model Celica the donor rear end came from (you don’t say which it eventually came from but gather a later wider third series). Rear end width will also need to be taken into account. Others could probably advise but worth keeping in mind. Also bear in mind you may need to change your tail shaft. Almost certainly the bolt pattern will differ, and potentially the length. 

[Lonk]

It was a 3rd gen Celica, I'm not exactly sure which kind... I didn't seem to take any photos of the build plate or anything and this was about 4 months ago now. 😕

Is there a way to tell if i need the Zenki or the Kouki with just the housing I've got. I assume we're talking about putting an AE86 LSD in if I opted to get something brand new from OS-Giken.

[altezzaclub]

"the Zenki or the Kouki "

Isn't the difference the number of splines on the axle? Not something I've had to worry about yet.

[altezzaclub]

"to answer your question kouki axles do fit into a zenki housing they just don't fit each others centres.

I'm using kouki disc axles in my zenki disc housing because the lsd i bought was kouki. i just swapped axles and is all sweet

the difference in diameter is just around the splines but doesnt really matter cause the teeth on the axles are different."

https://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/forums/archive/index.php/t-15848.html

 

Also, drum and disc have different width bearing-  Same axle shaft part number

https://www.ae86drivingclub.com.au/dcimages/3/8/38159.jpg

"but yes, drum bearings are single row, and disc bearings are double row (wider).
there is no difference between zenki and kouki bearings, the difference lies in whether the diff is disc brake equipped, or drum brake equipped.
which also explains why the Disc Brake bearings are almost double the price (because it is double the amount bearing)."

Hmm.. he reckons spline as well-

"zenki = 24mm  kouki = 25.4mm.  different diameter, number of splines and spline shape.   check club4ag for tech reference..." 

and

"If you have a T AE86 disc rear, you can swap the large/small centres without problem, as long as you have the matching axles."

clutch pack:- 1 way, 1.5way, 2 way

combo series of two of the above

rebuild kits avaliable-  toyota oem, trd, cusco, kaaz, tomei"

https://www.rollaclub.com/board/topic/42058-zenki-t-series/

 

Edited September 8, 2025 by altezzaclub

[parrot]

Yes you can use either size axle in any housing, as long as the diff centre is for that size axle.

Did you get the axles with it?  

[Lonk]

I did not, only was able to get the housing pictured above.

[parrot]

OK, well you need to know what model it came out of so you can source the axles.  I suspect that will be the hardest piece of the puzzle.

If i was you I would:

1. confirm that the brackets will mount up without issue to your car.  

2. See if you can source some axles for whatever rear end you have.  You may be better off finding another complete rear end, probably for the same money

3. Measure whatever axles you get to see if they are zenki or kouki.  If you search up AE86 axles you will quickly determine which ones you have.

4. Decide whether you want a new LSD centre or a complete centre with appropriate gearing.  AE86 standard ratio is 4.3 and that's probably the one to go for.  You will then need to decide if you want a 1.5 or 2 way.  

5. As I said earlier, seriously consider looking on Yahoo Japan.  I have 4 OEM LSD centres, all from Japan.  3 are 4.3"s, one is a 4.1.  The 4.1 was expensive as uncommon, but the 4.3's were fairly cheap.  Japan is awash with them.

I'm not sure where you are, but if you are in Australia I would contact Craig at https://justjdmimports.com/ and see what he has on the shelf.

On the plus side, the best thing I ever did in my AE86 was to install an LSD, and that is just for general street driving.  So much so I am working on fitting a TE27 T series rear into my KE15 (hopefully soon).  That is basically the same story and I have sourced all the bits for that from Japan. Rear end, axles, LSD centre.

[Lonk]

Unfortunately all I can find is that it was from this 1984 Celica. Upullit has crushed it in the time since then. However, my hazy memory wants to believe it had the T312 axle code on the build plate.

I'll have to be much more vigilant with photos in the future. 😅

[parrot]

The transaxle code is of no use to you now, but clearly it came out of an RA60/SA63 or some such so you could safely look for some axles from a car with a T series rear from one of those

[Lonk]

Would the AE86 axles for sale on justjdmimports be suitable then considering its a T series rear? sorry if these are really obvious questions

[parrot]

Probably not. The issue is the length of the axle varies depending on the width of the rear end. For example, if I put a AE86 axle into a TE27 housing, it will be sticking a few centimetres out from the end as the TE27 is a narrower car and therefore narrower housing.
Speak to Craig. I’m confident he will be able to give you an answer to that. He’s been in the business a long time.