I just finished putting a 3.5 vlsd pumpkin from an '06 Enthusiast into my '03 G35 Coupe.

It is a direct swap!!!

Yes, the companion flanges, pionion bearings, and even the entire pumpkin housing as a whole are different, but the OVERALL OUTSIDE DIMENSIONS ARE IDENTICAL.

I've taken a bunch of side by side pics of the '03 pumpkin next to the '06. I'll post them later.

I'm so happy about this.

 

nice.....waiting for the pics

 

It should... the only difference is when changing the pinion gear... need to change the companion flange when using a 3.9 or 3.3 or 3.5 gear set out of a ealier housing into a new one..........

 

^^ And that's where the confusion seems to have set in around here. From the limited info available so far, the general consensus seemed to be that since the companion flange and pumpkin housing was different on the newer models, then it would not mate up properly onto earlier model vehicles, but nobody could say why specifically.

 

I just finished reinstalling everything. I started it up, still on the jackstands, turned off VDC, and put it in drive. Everything seems to be in order. Neither the driveshaft nor the axles seem to be out of balance or wobbling any, no unusual noises anywhere, no leaks.

I'm about to take her for a spin!

 

Glad to see it worked out for you!

 

pics...

You can see in the side-by-side the difference in the housings and in the way the bearing/seals are. The old one (left side) has the "cover" (shiny brass-colored donut) the same diameter as the outer-most portion of the pumpkin housing. The newer diff housing actually encircles the "cover", therefore the pinion opening of the housing is a slightly larger diameter and sticks out toward the front of the vehicle about 8-10mm more than the old diff. However, measuring from the front of the companion flange to any common reference point on the two pumpkins will yield the same measurement. I've taken several pics measuring between various points using my tape measure , and all the measurements are the same.

Now, on to the more important issue. How well does this mod work???

Overall, I'm pleased. There is no real noticeable difference in low speed acceleration, and I expected this. However, the faster I travel, the quicker my car accerlerates relative to what it used to at the same given speed. My cruising rpms at 75 mph are up by approximately 300 rpms (if my memory serves). My car does go through the revs a bit quicker, especially once I get into upper 2nd gear and all the following gears. I can spin the tires from a stop now, which I was unable to do before, even with vdc off.

One thing that urked me was that my cruise would not work for awhile. I would turn it on, the cruise light would illuminate, but the set light would continuosly flash. After about 30 minutes, it decided to work. I use my cruise almost religiously since most of my commute to/from work is highway. Hopefully everything will continue to function properly.

BTW, please pay no attention to the German Shephard entrails splattered about the bottom of my car (trust me, the rest of the undercarriage is much worse).

 

This is good to hear dTor... my buddies considering the same type of swap.

I'm running a 3.3VLSD in my 04_MT which is n/a. It's my DD and commuter car, so I have seen an improvement on avg. mpg with the smaller gears I did notice a difference in acceleration from a stop and at higher speeds. They only way to describe this, it feels as if I have an extra 400lbs in the car. If I end up working closer to home, I may swap to a 3.9FD for a 15% difference!

Zquicksilver

 

^^LOL

An extra 400 lbs. I'd say that's about right, except the extra 400 lbs doesn't give you a higher top speed or better mpg.

After a bit more driving, I think the acceleration is a bit better than what I was initially under the impression of yesterday. I always give my pessimistic side the benefit of the doubt when it comes to mods, but there is a small, but definetely noticeable, difference even in low speed acceleration. I'm quite pleased.

 

So can I use an '03.5 G35 A/T 3.3 open dif in my '03 Z? I'm a little confused. Thanks.

 

Yes.

The confusion I was having before I did the swap was whether the '06 diff would fit in an '03. Nissan changed the companion flange, pinion bearing, and housing in late '05 model year and nobody was sure (when I was asking, anyway) whether the swap would be direct or whether I would have to change companion flanges from the old one to the new one.

 

anyone know what shipping would cost two day from Florida to GA? or what the weight of the pumpkin is?

 

weight is approx. 97 pounds.. I shipped my old 3.3 to Cali for maybe $80.00,, maybe a bit less