Thanks Chris from KAAZ, I’m Going with the 350z Diff into my 240sx….
Posted by Dennis Mertzanis on 19 Feb 2010 at 10:26 pm | Tagged as: Drifting
Step 1: Buy the Differential…..DONE
The first thing here is to understand that there are a few types of differentials to choose from. There is a 3.3 ratio from all the automatics, 350z and g35s. There are VLSD forms of both of these…not 100% on the 3.3s though.
I chose the 3.53 diff out of a base model…..BIG MISTAKE because all the aftermarket diffs require the output flanges out of the VLSD, so you might as well start with the VLSD, its a little more money, but less than buying new output flanges. My mistake, but I got a diff from an 07 with almost 0 miles on it, so whatever.
Chris from KAAZ is really giving me a helping hand getting the correct output flanges. The customer service at KAAZ is great and it’s worth dealing with them for sure, and if you give them a call to tell them they are awesome, tell them you heard it from me. Back to the story.
OK, so I heard the backing plate from the 240sx will bolt to the 350z, NOT TRUE, not in my case anyway. I will say the dimensional placement of the single rear mounting bolt is in the same location as the 240sx, so I think it’ll fit. The front mounting flanges are about an inch wider that the 240, so I will be making a bracket that bolts to the subframe and the diff will bolt the the bracket. And as far as the input flange goes, I am guessing you can drill out the same bolt pattern for the 240 drive shaft. I will let you know tomorrow.
Take pictures and post please!
Was the S14 Ring and Pinion of 4.083 to low for you? Was it putting shift points at a bad place?
The 350z diff is 3.538 for the MT and 3.357 for the AT in the 2004 FSM. Z33 people commonly upgrade to the 3.9 ratio for increased acceleration and NISMO offers a 4.083 ratio for the Z33.
S14′s that came with SR20′s in them had ratios of 3.692 for MT and 3.916 for AT so it should be possible to obtain those ratios for the S14 diff
housing.
I’m about to finish a VQ swap and I’m interested to know if the 4.083 is too low for drift use.
Thanks!
Not when the car was NA. The lower gear gave me enough torque to compensate. Now that its supercharged, I don’t have the wheel speed range. I have to shift all the time. Initiate in 4th gear on a bank, shift into 5th….sounds great, but it adds more room for error. Also, I would enter a turn in 4th were everyone else was in 3rd. I have the power now, so I want to start with the stock 350z gearing and go from there. More tire speed range per gear, thats what I’m after.
I am also interested in the added strength of the 350z diff. Its much stronger than the stock 240sx, and combined with the stronger custom axles, I should be ahead of the game(I hope).
good luck with your swap. Did you see my swap pictures? Feel free to ask if you have any questions. Engine management is a snap with the Haltech plug and play. CAl Injected Performance and ask for Hal, tell him I sent you.
I am curious if the 4.083 is too low for drifting as well. Thanks for the help Dennis.
The 4.08 was fine when the car didn’t have the supercharger. It was 233hp to the wheels. The smaller gear made it easier to drift. Now that I have 415rwhp, I am finding that its now too short, at least for me.
So basically if I am running a N/A VQ35 engine I should look at the 4.083?
Are you going to be running in Formula Drift or XDC this season Dennis? I would love to come cheer a fellow VQ swap car on at the track. Thanks for your help!
The 4.08 comes in most US 240s, so you may not have to do anything.
I am running FD this year and maybe some XDC events if money/time permits.
You will here me out there cause this car is LOUD man, its crazy. Cheer on man, I love it.