Adam’s Project Z33: Bringing up the Rear Part II

Got some new updates on my bastardized rear that we’ve discussed here last month.

The goals were simple – the execution, has proven anything but! Today I’ll show off some pics of the more of the guts that are needed to make this 4.3 ring and pinion work.

First, notice the picture of the Quaife LSD all dismantled Quaife Helical LSD

Quaife LSD for 350Z Exposed

The Quaife is a helical differential, which means it transmits power via a series of intermeshing gears.

This diff has never been used, but we wanted to make sure it was absolutely perfect. It has been sitting around though for a few months, unsealed, so we wanted to make sure it was free of any oxidation, etc. It’s been fully taken apart, cleaned, and prepped and is now ready to go back in.

Last time, we showed how the custom sleeves were done to allow the correct pinion bearings. The next hurdle to tackle was the actual pinion flange. The problem with the 4.3 final drive I got is the pinion diameter is smaller than the factory 350Z units – the length is correct, but the difference in diameter is why we had to sleeve the shaft in the first place. In order for the rear to work, it has to somehow bolt to the driveshaft. This is what the flange’s job is – it joins the driveshaft and pinion together so all that power can effectively turn the pinion, which turns the ring, which is bolted to the differential, and then output to the rear axles/wheels. What we ended up having made was a bit of a hybrid. It uses the splined carrier for the 4.3 ring gear, mated to a custom machined flange that matches the correct outer diameter of the original 350Z pinion flange.

Custom Machined Flange for 4.3 ring and pinion into 350Z

Stock on the right, new flange on the right. This will allow everything to work together in harmony, and bolt up without us having to modify the driveshaft in any way. Next thing to do is get it on the drill press and put the holes in to allow it to mate to the driveshaft, and then high speed balance it to make sure it is 100% true, so there are no unwanted vibrations.

Last things to do are press on the new bearings to the differential, and then microfinish and cryo the ring and pinion. More updates coming soon!

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