Just got back from Chatsworth, California.

Drove up yesterday morning and had Specialty-Z install the 4.08 gear and pinion set. Specialty-Z, Nissan 300ZX Specialists, Nissan Z Specialists - Home

In addition to the 4.08 gear and pinion they also installed the bearing/seal/ rebuild/install kit.

Here is the link I provided so Specialty-Z would price match the best price I could find: ZSpeed Performance Nissan Infinti OEM & Performance Parts

Paid $750 for the 4.08 Gear and Pinion and the new bearing/seal/rebuild/install kit. Labor was $500.

Redline fully synthetic was used for the differential.

And I had them install Whiteline Differential Bushings. Whiteline Differential Bushings


Paid $95 for the Bushings and $150 for labor.

So everything was about $1,500 out the door. Perfect install.

Sounds factory. No whine whatsoever.

Here is a picture of the stock gear and pinion (for the hell of it):

The install went perfectly. Everything went as planned. I had actually allowed myself 3 whole days in case Specialty-Z needed to order the correct shims for the install. Thankfully, they had them on hand. The install took all day Monday and I picked the car up this morning (Tuesday) at 10:00 AM.

My initial impressions were pretty much what I expected. Improved acceleration across the board. The car is more aggressive now and feels great. The best way I can describe the improvement in acceleration is this: Imagine how the car feels on a hot summer day - sluggish, bogged down, slow to wind up -(this would be stock). Now imagine a cool winter morning with no passengers in the car and only an 1/8th of a tank a gas, when the car feels like it's much quicker. ---- That's the difference.

Another thing is now it seems to start pulling from about 3K RPM. Whereas before, it didn't start to get good till about 4K.

Also, in 3rd gear getting onto the freeway I nailed it and it briefly set off the traction control. So it broke traction.

Everything works perfectly. Cruise Control works: The car didn't throw any codes. Everything is identical to stock except it is now faster.

And for those of you worried about freeway driving - Don't. The difference is negligible. Before I was at about 2950 RPMs at 80 MPH. Now, I'm at about 3400 RPM at 80 MPH. The car feels even more like a beast on the freeway. The ride home was great.

I wanted to thank Sebastian - The owner of Specialty-Z. And L.J. - the tech. Also John. These guys are great and really know their stuff. Very professional and courteous. Phone: 818-703-6272 / 818-435-2061 | Email: Sebastian@SpecialtyZ.com / Greg@SpecialtyZ.com

 

Sounds like you had a great experience. Congrats on the install. Was wondering if when the appointment was made if you had them order all the parts before the install (for warranty purposes) or if you had the parts when you arrived? I'm also looking into this install but Im in a 2008 Coupe, 5AT. Never the less, enjoy the install!

 

Yep, couldn't have went better thankfully.

I had them order all the parts because they matched the best price I could find online. And it saved me the hassle of having to get everything together and I didn't have to pay for shipping. I just drove the car down and they had everything ready to go.
I started e-mailing Sebastian about 3 weeks prior to my actual drive down for the install.

They ordered my 4.08 gear/pinion before I arrived. The Whiteline Bushings I'm pretty sure they already had, since they do so many 350Z/370Z/G37 installs.

Our differentials are identical to that of the 370Z, so luckily they had the correct shims. Every install is different, so different size shims are required.

They have done several G37 Auto 4.08 gear installs. They switch out the entire pumpkin with a manual pumpkin to make it work. So, Sebastian would definitely need time to find all the parts for you.

Unfortunately though, you would lose cruise control and maybe even throw a code. But Seb can usually get rid of the code.

Great experience. Thumbs up.

 

Nice right up man, Really wish I could do this mod AWD NOPE !

 

Thanks man.

Yeah, I have no idea how AWD would get this accomplished, if even possible at all.

Looks like you are having a good time with plenty of other mods though.

 

I am man for sure, Trying to stay away from FI again, Wanna get all I can out of NA. I wonder if it would work tho?

 

they do great work they did my 4.08s a year and half ago..Ill be heading back there in July for my white line bushing install as everyone was out of stock at the time..

 

Oh wow. At least you're getting them done now.

After I get intake/exhaust/manifold etc, I'll be heading there for Up-Rev Tune and Dyno.

Chatsworth is a nice place.....Especially compared to Vegas.

 

Very nice! Your current 80mph rpm is same as the 5AT 3.69

I bet you will burn through tires like crazy now lol be sure to take advantage of the America's tires memorial day sale and stock up some sticky tires

 

Haha, yep.

I actually just upgraded the tires, right before the trip.

Bridgestone Potenza S-04 Pole Positions. 245/40/19 and 275/35/19

 

Nice Seb has done all the work on my car. he is the only one I trust.
if you are pretty handy you can do the M370 Plenum yourself. I could not see spending that kinda money for something I did for 150 myself..you just have to dremel some of the plastic on the bottom and re-drill the holes.think it took me a whole hour and half..but I just put my stock plenum back on after a sanded down the runners..kinda like the Z1 mod..

yeah I grew up in the LA area so love visiting down there.. nice little get away..

 

I know your cruise control is okay but what about the rev-match function? I read on 370z that after the 4.08 they have issues with rev-match.

 

Rev-match function? We don't have no stinkin rev match function.

As far as the 370Z drivers who perform the swap, yes, they can have problems with the rev-match function. Some more often than others it seems.

Just like some auto guys lose cruise control, and some don't. Some auto guys throw a code, and some don't.

 

Wonder how it would act with a TT kit putting 500whp. May just be to low of a gear for the low end.

 

This would be the opposite of what you would want done if you are turboed.

With the 4.08 and a turbo, 1st gear would be useless. And 2nd gear would also disappear in a hurry.

There are turbo guys who get 'smaller' final drive gears installed due to how quickly the RPMs go by.

It's a perfect mod for the N/A G37 though.