If I get an auto Z, where can I find a 3.5 final drive without having to go to a junkyard? Any websites sell them? How expensive is it, how expensive is the installation, and would I need anything else? (like a tune or chip to recaliberate speedometer, as you need on a Mustang when changing the rear-end gearing?)

Thanks!

 

http://performancenissanparts.com/ca...oducts_id=1962

something like this?

 

the 3.5 is the final drive from a stick shift. the auto has a 3.2? final drive. just swap the pumpkin from the rear between the two cars unless you really want to rebuild it.

 

i have a 3.5 for sale...not the pumkin, just the gearing

 

This install is easy if you do a complete pumpkin swap, fairly expensive if you just do the FD gears. You do not have to do anything with the ECU or speedo since the 350Z uses sensors on the axles after the rear end and not in the tranny. It also has no negative effects on TCS, ABS or the cruise control just incase you were wondering. It is a great mod for the 5AT and really helps maintain a nice rpm after shifting.

 

yea, I was trying to get some information for this as well. What is a pumpkin? AHhhh....all of the confusion! haha...

 

The "pumpkin" is basically the entire rear end housing including the guts inside (FD, LSD, etc... The "pumpkin" bolts up to the drive shaft and the half axles. If you look under the rear of the car, you will see the "pumpkin" quite easily. The final drive (FD) is located inside the "pumpkin" and can be changed. The 5AT cars come with a 3.2 FD, the 6MT cars with a 3.5 FD and 350EVO makes a 3.9 FD. The entire "pumpkin" can be swapped from a 5AT car to a 6MT car and visa-versa, which will effectively swap the FD as well. One great mod for the 5AT cars is to find a rear "pumpkin" that has a 6MT (3.5) FD inside along with the stock VLSD. This makes the labor and install charge fairly low or zero if done at home. Many of the 6MT owners who track their cars are installing the 3.9 FD from 350EVO. The difference in the FD gearing being the lower the number, the slower acceleration will be but the higher the possible top speed in each gear. You want to balance the FD with the car's overall power output to the wheels. Those with TTs and SCs making huger power could benefit from a lower 3.2 FD because they have enough power to still accelerate blazingly fast, and the 3.2 FD allows each gear to make it to a higher speed thus decreasing time between shifting. In NA cars that aren't putting as much power to the wheels, the higher FD numbers will help them accelerate faster and maintain higher rpms in between shifts. The higher FD numbers usually yield lower gas mileage depending on the way the car is driven and where the engine is setup to make peak TQ.

 

I did a pumpkin swap on my Z and its bad ***. The install is very easy also.

 

thanks zzzya!

BluZee, How do you like the performance overall of your pumpkin swap (i finally know what that means lol). How much did it cost you, and did you go to the junk yard to get one? thanks.

-mike

 

This is the best mod Ive done so far. First gear especially pulls a lot harder. I lowered my 1/4 mile time by .53 seconds.
I traded pumpkins with somebody who has a 6MT and wants to eventually get a ProCharger. I work in the service department at a Nissan dealership so one of the techs did the swap for free.

 

Half a second... wow. I can't wait to try mine.

 

see my thread I started today... I think 1/2 sec is not a reach at all...

 

Any thoughts of selling the pumpkin also yet??

 

I did a part search & came up w/ these two:

MT (3.538 ratio), exc. base model
MT (3.538 ratio), base model

Anyone knows what is the difference between the two? Which one would match an Enthusiast 5AT?

 

I'm assuming you got that from carpart. The difference is the pumkin in the base has NO lsd whereas all the other models do. Same ratios though

 

I beileve the first one has the LSD and the second does not.

 

correct - if you are upgrading to an aftermarket LSD, the base model will be a cheaper alternative for you - however, if you are happy with the VLSD (or just want any kind of LSD like me) then the second choice is what you're looking for...

 

What are the advantages to the swap. I have an auto and might make a swap with someone. Any disadvantages to this for me? Also, does it matter that the other car as about 40k on it?

 

I changed mine and it fells slower than the stock 5 at. I have a stage 3 stillen and the stock 5 AT pulled harder at 60 km . You can feel the difference in acceleration. At 6500 rpm it turns 152 km, while the stock one pulls 166.
will be going to the track next week and will post the times.

 

Did you ever hit the track prior to installing the 3.5 gears? I would like to see before (3.3) and after (3.5) runs.