i am searching for a 3.5 dinal drive differential for my 04.5 5AT...how can i know if it actually came off a 6MT and is a VLSD? any part numbers on the differential? thanks

 

you can count the turns of pinion versus axle stub shafts to verify 3.5, but as for vlsd im not sure if off the car it will move them both fwd at the same time.....i think it would, so if it does and putting one hand on one side causing friction doesn't "easily" stop it that one side like an open diff would, then you can probably ensure its vlsd......

no data tag on them, i'm not sure of any p/n stamped or not on them??

best to just remove the diff cover and verify..........as thats easy to do, and you would want to replace the fluid anyway on a item like a diff that is newly acquired and installed anyways...

unless based on your location, the diff isnt local to you??

Also, if the diff has more than 30k miles or more than a few years old (z's are getting old), then odds are the VLSD has lost its fluid viscosity and will work like an open diff anyways.........if a real lsd is in the future, best jump to that as soon as you can, cause the vlsd is a factory spoiler..........its not worth crap .....

-J

 

hmm so im better of with a new differential...the 3.5 fd 6mt differential should be a bolt on for my 04.5 5at right?

 

yes it is...they swap right over......

but as far as lsd function is concerned, if you have the money to purchase a spare diff like you are talking about........then you can hand carry it to a shop and have them install a LSD of your choice into it......doing this bench side will reduce labor cost greatly over bringing them your entire car....

Then with the LSD of your choice installed into the pumpkin, you can then go swap it into your car when the work is done......

Also you may wanna consider sourcing a 3.7 geared pumpkin:
https://my350z.com/forum/engine-and-...z-3-538-a.html

bonus: keep in mind other items like Nismo diff cover........ and spl solid diff bushings when reinstalling...

-J

 

I have seen that the complete differential is a direct fit but would a 3.5 ring & pinion fit into the 3.3 differential housing? I have taken care of my differential and know that lsd is good for now, just wanted to be able to retain that if possible.

 

Sloppy:
Though i have not done the work, I want to say yes that it would, but unless you have the "know how" and tools, down time of your car - to do the install yourself, its a moot point as the cost to do the swap labor alone will most likely out weight getting a spare pumpkin..........if you really want to retain your vlsd, then pull that unit out and install it into a 3.5 or a 3.7 spare pumpkin you source??

-J

 

I appreciate the info. Think my best option is to crack open my original differential and move over the vlsd.

 

Don't the 5AT cars come only with the VLSD? I thought the only cars to come with an open diff were the base models, and all of those are 6MT, right?

 

yes...

-J

 

Well, if the OP only wants to change his ratio, there's a set of 3.5 gears for sale in the marketplace for $50.

 

No only the sport at versions came with a vlsd base versions had the open.

 

What's a "sport at version"?

 

but a 3.5 ring and pinion won't mate up to is differential

an auto LSD needs an auto ring and pinion, a manual LSD needs a manual ring and pinion. They have different dimensions and can't be mixed and matched

 

Oops, forgot about that. Wonder why they made them different?

 

Simple, buy my 3.5 final drive diff from my '05MT Enthusiast.

 

ok guys, i went and saw the pumpkin today..and the guy told me its off a 6MT with vLSD...and i cant be sure since there r no markings or anything on it..it looked clean, so im thinking ill tell the guy to come with me to the mechanic's shop and we'll have it installed and go for a drive and then ill pay him on the spot..any other alternatives u guys can help me with?

 

I think the open diff has "GC" painted on top of the pumpkin, but I forget the code on the 3.5 vlsd. Once it's in the car it's pretty obvious which one you have. Labor shouldn't be more than 1.5 hours, as that's how long it took me in my driveway, on jack stands, and for the first time.

 

wow that makes sense i searched the pumkins for sale on the marketplace..the open pumkin has "GC" marked on it as u said.. the 3.3 5AT vLSD pumpkin has "GB" marked on it..and the 3.5 6MT pumpkin has "GD" marked on it