350z Differential Install into a 240sx
Posted by Dennis Mertzanis on 21 Feb 2010 at 04:47 pm | Tagged as: Drifting
Ok guys, this is it………the 350z diff is officially installed into my 240sx.
The first thing to understand is that you will have to fabricate to get the diff into the car.
The test fit of the z33 diff into s14 subframe didn’t go well. As you can see in the picture below, the stock diff fit very well into the subframe.
This is the way the z33 diff fit into the stock s14 subframe. The location of the z33 diff input flange is about 1.5 to 2 inches away from where it should be and the bolts holes are 1 inch further apart than the s14.
Asyou can see, it needed to be about 1.5 inches closer to the subframe.
So, I cut and welded the s14 subframe to fit the z32 diff.
I cut out and used the stock nuts that were located inside the stock s14 diff.
Now the z33 diff is fitting into the s14 subframe perfectlly. What about the rear cover mounting point you ask? Well, the one mounting point on the z33 diff lines up perfectly with one of the rear s14 subframe mounts, so no modding necessary.
So, I installed the subframe back into the car and installed the z33 diff into the car to make sure everything fits. The diff fits perfectly, it clears the swaybar and ebrake cables. I am very happy with the location of the input flange.
I fit the driveshaft into the diff and as I had expected, the flange for the diff needs to be drilled to fit the smaller s14 driveshaft flange. The center of the driveshaft fits perfectly into the z33 diff input flange, so you just have to drill the smaller s14 bolt pattern, as seen in the picture.
The next step is to have custom axles made. I am doing custom axles, so I can get stronger ones for competition.
I’m pretty sure that you can remove the flange on the front of the diff and swap it out with a 240sx one instead of drilling out the 350 flange. ( I did it on an z31 with a z32 differential. )
I didn’t try, but I understand the z33 pinion is larger, and the actual flange is larger at the location where it goes into the diff as compared to the s14.
Make sure you re-install the ABS sensors.. or you will have no ABS. Caw Caw.
Where can you get custom axles made?
call Frank over at The Drive Shaft Shop
The Drive Shaft Shop
1531 South Main Street
Salisbury, NC 28144
Hours of Operation: 9am-5pm M-F EST
For Orders Dial Toll Free: (800) 564-2244
For General Inquires and Technical:
(704) 633-2380
Fax:(704) 633-2385
I’m doing the same to a A31 Cefiro (basicaly S13 rear) I did some research and it seems the diff is quite close to the same size as a GTR skyline diff the 350z is 1/2 an inch or so bigger (13mm) and I got some R32 GTR shafts and they work well.. if you break GTR shafts i would be very suprised I have never ever seen a broken rear GTR driveshaft (GTRs break their front shafts often) and for the hubs you will have to get some 300zxtt (twin turbo ones only… 300zx non turbo are the same as s13 s14) hubs or GTR skyline hubs because the splines on the outer CV joints are bigger too… but to keep your standard uprights (GTR and 300zx ones are alloy and take a different shock mount.. you should keep s13 s14 type so your standard coilovers will still work) you will need to cut the bit off the GTR/300zxtt wheel bearing hub assembly where the handbrake mounts on and finaly so you can run the bigger GTR or GTSt skyline brakes you need the backing plates for the handbrake for the rear disks because s13 and s14 have their handbrake in the rear caliper and they’re junk and the skyline type are “a bit” better… any R32 R33 skyline or Z32 300zx caliper will bolt onto the s13 s14 mount and the by product of all of this is you get a 5 wheel stud conversion all at the same time
ive had the z33 3.5 diff working in my s14 for a while now. im very pleased. in the morning ill finish preparing the second diff 3.3 and hopefully have it welded before we all eat turkey… haha