Ok, so I'm trying to determine if a design change occurred on the final drive housing assembly for 2005+ models (possibly 2004.5+). Reason I'm asking is I was in the process of doing my diff build and was swapping in a pumpkin from a 2003 G35 sedan and it wouldn't fit in my 2005 5AT G35 coupe. The housings were different lengths, so the companion flanges wouldn't match up.

Now before anybody jumps the gun and says its a sedan issue, the sedan owner had already purchased and swapped out a pumpkin from a 2003 350Z so he could swap his open diff 6MT G35 pumpkin for a VLSD 6MT 350Z pumpkin. So its not an issue of it coming from a sedan.

I've talked to a couple people so far. superchargedg has a 2003 Z pumpkin on his 03 coupe and ISMSOLUTIONS purchased a 2005 pumpkin as a base for his swap.

Has anybody swapped between an '05+ and a 03-04 model? I'd like to try and save other people this same hassle if we can determine the housing has changed. I haven't been able to find any part numbers to conclusively prove one way or another. Its not an issue for me, we just used a combination of parts to rebuild my '05 pumpkin with the 3.9 and Quaife, but since the 3.917 and related pumpkin swaps are gaining more popularity, I'd like to help other people out too if we can determine there was a change.

Thanks guys.

 

Never did the 05 to 03/04 swap. Did the 04 to 03 swap with no issues. I had installed both G35 coupe and 350z diffs in my sedan with no problems. Maybe there was a driveshaft change in the 05's?

 

Sorry I can't help, I swapped a 04_3.5_openDiff with a 04_3.3_VLSD on my 6MT_Z. But this could be the start of a great thread with useful information!

I've been pondering a setup myself, now that I have a complete openDiff_pumkin sitting at my disposal. I'm considering stripping the VLSD_pumkin for all its parts (minus the 3.3_ring and pinion gear) and transplanting those parts into my openDiff pumpkin, complete with a 3.9FD.

I first made the swap because I wanted better gas mileage and the VLSD, my Zs a commuter car and I was sick of one tire spinning when it was wet out. But now I kind of miss that 6% power loss and want more on top of that. So I'm considering swapping again... LOL!

I would like to swap a 3.9FD into my current setup (3.3VLSD diff), but I am pretty sure the 3.9FD will not work with a 3.3_pumkin. Because the diff housing is slightly smaller.

Anyway, I wish there was a way to find this info, without reverting to trial and error???

Zquicksilver

 

I ended up using my 3.3 VLSD pumpkin as the housing. We used the axle stubs from the open diff 3.5 pumpkin, then swapped in the 3.9 and Quaife. Everything fit in the 3.3 pumpkin. The key is the ring gear thickness, the 3.3 is thicker than the 3.5, so you can't use the 3.9 with a 3.3 diff.

 

05+ have a different compaion flange....

parts needed found here...

http://mynismo.com/products/?id=5365

it also shows the different build dates that use the other one...

would need to swap that flange, which would be too much work IMHO... If I remember correctly, you have to rebuild the complete rear end to change the flange... I THINK! I could be wrong...

BUT, the Pinion's wont work without modification on the 05+ companion flanges, so you must use the 03+ companion flange...

 

Thanks Jason, that would explain it. I'm not 100% sure if the tech had to make any adjustments with the pinion drive because we're using the Nismo 3.9 on my '05 pumpkin and he didn't mention having any issues with the flange and pinion.

 

Hmmm, interesting... Everything makes sense until the last statement?

I know that the Quaife uses the Base model stub axles and that you swapped in the 3.9 (pinion gear and ring), fitting it all in the 3.3 model pumpkin. But what I don't understand, "The key is the ring gear thickness, the 3.3 is thicker than the 3.5, so you can't use the 3.9 with a 3.3 diff.". Do you mean you can't use the 3.9 pinion gear with a 3.3 ring? That I understand.

My goal is similar to yours, but using 3.3VLSD components and pumpkin. At this point I'm assuming I can swap out the 3.3 (pinion gear and ring) and swap in the 3.9FD package. Let me know if this makes sense?

TIA,
Zquicksilver

 

The ring gear, which is the gear that surrounds the differential, is a different thickness between the 3.3 and the 3.5. The 3.3 is 10 mm thicker than the 3.5. The differentials are designed to accommodate those thickness variations. So any differential, designed for a 3.3, won't work for the 3.5. Your 3.3 VLSD won't work with a 3.5 or 3.9 ring gear. 3.5 and the 3.9 are the same thickness. You need a new differential for your rebuild, be it OE or aftermarket.

I need to determine how well the build is holding up in my 3.3 housing, right now I have a slow oil leak at the front pinion bearing. I'm not sure if its from driveshaft flex because AAM didn't tighten up the bolts around the driveshaft collar, or if its something related to the build. I might end up having to get the pumpkin rebuilt.

 

helldorado,

Thanks for the info on the 3.3_differential casing, (diff. casing A + B) or #18 +19 on the illustration. I didn't realize the flange on the 3.3_diff. was engineered to accomodate the 10mm thicker ring, I thought the R200V diff. was universal for all.

Damn, I don't want to have to spend more money than I have to for this swap.




Sorry to hear about the oil leak Hopefully it's nothing...

Zquicksilver

 

Yep, part #10 is where the variance lies, so part #18, the side of the diff that mounts to it varies. This is why the Nismo LSD and similar aftermarket LSD's are 6MT only. Life would be much simpler if the 3.3 and 3.5 were the same!

 

Need some info.. I have an 06 Base 6MT and want to add VLSD and based on on other reading decided to go with the OEM VLSD with 3.5 FD. Will a swap from a 5AT work or do I have to stick with 6MT? Can I only swap with 06s?

Any help or feedback is appreciated.

 

anyone have any idea on the cost to ship a pumpkin say two day UPS from GA to Florida? Im not sure how much the thing weighs but I know its heavy

 

The diff. weighs about 90lbs if I remember correctly

 

Packed well in a milk crate with tie downs, then boxed, the 3.3vlsd I shiped to Cali w/ Fed-ex weighed 97 lbs.

 

^^ thanks

 

Okay, so a 2003.5 G35 coupe 6mt rear diff pumpkin should swap no problems into a 2004.5 auto 350z?

 

^^ Yup.

 

bringing this thread from the dead to aska quick related question!

A 2003 3.5 VLSD should swap right over to a 2005 3.5/3.9 VLSD.

 

Could you state the question differently? I'm not sure what you are asking.

 

I have a 2005 Z with a modified 3.5 to a 3.9 FD with VLSD and am trading down to a 3.5 VLSD from a 2003 Z.

-Don