Hey guys,

Just wanted to give everyone my thoughts/impressions of my latest mod - I purchased a complete rear-end assembly from a wrecked 350Z through www.car-part.com that included the 3.53 Final Drive that comes in the 6MT 350Z (non-base) as well as the vicious LSD...

The install was really not that difficult (of course, with my mechanic and a lift to assist me) - it basically consisted of removing the rear sections of the exhaust, unbolting the existing assembly (some of the bolts are pretty hard to get to though without the right tools), putting new fluid in the new assembly (recommended - I used Mobil 1 Synthetic 75W90), and bolting the new assembly back in along with putting your exhaust back together... I also purchased a Nismo Rear Diff Cooler Cover at the same time, and removing the old cover and taking a look inside, it looked as if everything was nearly new with hardly any wear (you wouldn't say that by looking at the condition of the case, though!) so I think I got a pretty good replacement piece...

OK, now to what I spent...

1) Complete Pumpkin - I found it on car-part by searching "2003 Nissan 350Z Carrier, then 6MT excluding base model" and there are various ones from $1,000 to $400 - I found one that was listed at $500 and he told me he'd ship it to me for $555 - I said I'd give him $500 shipped and he took it, so I was happy (FYI, the $400 one wanted $165 for shipping! ouch!)

2) Nismo Rear Diff Cooler - $111 shipped from Performance Nissan - looks great, has had good reviews, and comes with all new hardware, which was a plus... I definitely recommend this if you are doing this swap or any kind of aftermarket LSD/FD swap...

3) I gave my mechanic $50 for helping me and letting me use his tools/lift/etc - which I think is a steal b/c there is no way I could have done this laying on my back in my driveway (the assembly weighs about 100lbs, fyi)

So all in all, I have under $700 invested in this and I got both an upgraded final drive AND an LSD at the same time - not bad if you ask me! And let me tell you, the first time you get on it, you will instantly feel the difference - it doesn't feel like I'm driving the same car! it is MUCH quicker off the line and in just about every driving situation and the LSD, though not wonderful, is a great improvement in traction in just about every situation - I've seen people that have ran before/after at the track and saw over a 0.5 sec reduction in 1/4 mile times - and I don't argue with it at all - not only does the car come off the line quicker, the revs also stay higher between shifts, almost making it seem like the shifts are performing faster than before... regardless, this is DEFINATELY a worthwhile mod that anyone with a 5AT G35 or 350Z that doesn't have the VLSD should really consider... if you have any other questions, just let me know! I'll try to post pics of what the diff cooler looks like under my car later on today or this weekend (below is a picture from Performance Nissan's website)

 

I just found one online as well and ordered. (ebay) Can't waint to get it, I gonna get the finnned diff cooler as well. Did you put any lsd additive in when you changed diff fluid. I think we are suppose to. I noticed performance Nissan sells it so hopefully tony or jason can chime in here.

 

I'm getting mine done at Performance Nissan next week.

 

Yes, I did put some LSD additive in it when I changed the fluid/diff cover/etc... I just used some stuff I found at autozone (I think it was like $5 for one tube, which was more than enough)...

It's definitely my favorite [performance] mod to date!

 

The oem vLSD is a sealed unit, so additives aren't necessary (it'll never see it). But no worries either as no real harm is done.

 

Me.

Im glad youre happy with it.

 

yep - I'd have to say that your thread in the Drag forum was the straw that broke the camel's back... thanks for your insight and comments there, btw...

 

No problem. We have to give some credit to ZZZYA since he was the person who helped me originally.

 

Interesting, so is everyone been going with the Mobil 1 diff fluid or is there something better?

 

I have a base 350Z. Is my final drive different from other Z's, other than my (lack of) LSD? Thanks.

 

No, the final drive on all the manual models is the same (Base up to Track). You just don't get the lsd on your Base model. (Or the Enthusiast model, either? Not sure.)

 

you have the same final drive, but you do not have the VLSD option...

and when it comes to diff fluid, Redline synthetic is probably about the best there is, but I couldn't find any locally, so I just purchased some Mobil1 from my local AutoZone...