Hi, im new to these forums and don't currently own a Z car. But i am looking for one to buy with the sole purpose of putting a chevy 350 in it, so i am trying to learn as much as i can about this swap before i have all the parts, just to make things move a little quicker.

My question is this - what rear end (differential) do most people use with this type of swap? Im going to build an engine with around 350hp and i wasn't sure if the stock Z rear end can handle that much. So my thoughts were to use a ford 9inch solid rear axle or something of the like. Any help would be greatly appreciated, Thanks.

 

It all depends on what year Z you buy go to hybredz.com

 

The stock Datsun rear ends are pretty strong. All the V8 swaps I have heard of use the stock rear end. I think the strongest one is out of the '83 280ZX.

 

I'm using a LSD from an Infinity Q45. A stock rear end will not likely be able to handle 350 hp for too long without breaking.

Check out http://www.hybridz.org/ and you can find a ton of information about V8 swaps in Z cars.

 

You'll break u-joints before you break the rear end. I've broken the diff mount and sheared the driveshaft bolts when running a V8 with the standard R200 rear but never broke the rear end itself. Your best bet is to run CVs from a turbo ZX.

 

An R200 is much stronger than the R180 that came with the early Z's, and that would be a good swap depending on how hard you'll be driving it. The Q45 that I installed is actually an R200 with a limited slip and the CVs from a turbo ZX.

 

thanks for the replies guys. i think ill end up using an R200 diff with 300zxt half shafts and possibly the stub axles also, if i can learn more about swapping stub axles. what i really need to do is get the car first so that i can see hands on what im dealing with. all in due time i guess.

 

its www.hybridz.org