Impressions on my 04 M45 with 3.69s and other mods...

Forum for Infiniti M35 and M45, and Nissan Fuga owners.
alexf20c
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Well, thanks to the help from elwesso and szhosain, I found out about the parts interchangability among many of the Nissan/Infiniti models. My dad had a pair of Z32 300ZX TTs and a Q45 laying around, so I went scrounging for parts.

My dad's '93 300ZX TT was prepped for road racing, and was the perfect candidate for the parts car. I stole the huge brakes off of it. They're almost identical to the ones used on Sport Compact Car's 300ZX project car. They use AP Racing calipers (6- and 4-piston) and 14- and 12.5-in rotors. I threw in the steel-braided lines as well. The rearend was also swapped from the 300ZX. It had a hardened 3.69 gearset with a Cusco LSD and a girdled/ribbed cover.

The stock wheels didn't come close to fitting over the brakes, so I tried a set of Torq Thrust from one of my old Camaros. Oddly enough, the lug spacing was right, but not the offset. I pulled the Fikse FM5s off my S2000 but they didn't clear the calipers either. Went to storage and got an old set of BBS wheels (from my S2000) - the RS-GT model in 18x9.5 front, 18x11 rear. The wheels are ridiculously huge but the offset was perfect (the S2000 required funky offset like the M45) and despite the width, they don't rub the bodywork and clear the frame just fine up front. Out back, the inside of the tire was rubbing on the wheel well, but my 4.5lb sledge took care of that problem. The tire pressure sensors gave me a bit of trouble as well.

I ordered some Eibach lowering springs; they should be in by Friday. Can't wait to see what it looks like with a 1.5in drop!

Seeing as I bought the car Sunday afternoon, I haven't really had much time behind the wheel. Nothing really to complain about though. The ride is superb (even with the huge tires) and the car is deceptively quick. The 3.69 gearset made a HUGE difference in performance. It's a joy around town, though the rather sensitive throttle response, coupled with the short gearing, can make for a nervous drive in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Still haven't figured out how to use all the gadgets, but I do love the auto-up power windows and the cooled seats!

I'll try to get some pics once I get the car lowered.


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97Q45t
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Alex, you're hardcord. Never seen anyone mod a car that fast.

So the Z32 TT's R230V fit the '04 M45 perfectly? Was it a direct swap? Was the speedo off? My car (Y33) speedo is off but my friend's GS400 speedo wasn't off when he put a higher ratio diff in his. I guess Toyota has the speed sensor after the propeller (drive) shaft.

This is really good news for '03-'04 M45 owners. Also what was the offset of your 18x9.5 and 18x11 wheels?
Modified by 97Q45t at 12:22 AM 11/30/2005

alexf20c
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Yes, it was otherwise a direct swap. I had to use oversize washers for the rear bushings though.

Yes, my speedo is kinda off. My GPS read 44mph at a speedo-indicated 50mph. The wheels may have something to do with it also. I'm assuming Infiniti can reprogram the computer for me, so I'm about to head over there right now.

It's been a long time since I ordered the BBS wheels, but if I remember correctly, offset was +50mm front and +62mm rear.

BTW, I murdered an LT1 Vette off the line yesterday. Held him off to about 90mph, as well.

alexf20c
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I noticed you're from Houston. What part?

I'm in the Spring/Woodlands area (NW).

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szh
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97Q45t wrote:Alex, you're hardcord. Never seen anyone mod a car that fast.
Yes, indeed!

Z

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97Q45t
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alexf20c wrote:I noticed you're from Houston. What part?

I'm in the Spring/Woodlands area (NW).
Awesome! I'm in the SW area.

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elwesso
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im impressed alex... Your an m45 ninja!!!

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marosari00
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Has anyone done something similar or found a way to install an LSD on their M45?

Take care!

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CakeDaddy
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marosari00 wrote:Has anyone done something similar or found a way to install an LSD on their M45?

Take care!
With the exception of the Eibachs.... Nooooooooooo. I'd be curious to hear what happened with this car and what eibachs for the 04 M have a 1.5in drop ??? <--- rhetorical question.

Lets hope Maxnix doesn't read this. He'll go bezerk.
Modified by CakeDaddy at 1:35 PM 12/2/2008

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nmgoodthing
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This brings a tear to my eye chopping up that z32

The gearing sounds bad *** though.

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CakeDaddy
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alexf20c... where are you?

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szh
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CakeDaddy wrote:alexf20c... where are you?
He has not posted since the end of July ...

Z

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marosari00
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After reviewing the '93 300ZX R200 rear end documentation, is it the same as the R200 from the '03/04 M45? If so, does anyone know if the LSD differential case from the ZX is interchangeable with the open differential case from the M?

Especially when I found this: https://optionsauto.com/prodin...66L15

Take care!

peter_rabbit
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It's time to go looking for a wrecked 93 TT 300z...I need those mods

saeedakobiakov
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Alex,no lsd in this car is the biggest problem.please tell me more about lsd from 300z?is it something that could be swapped without any mods?Dude, if this car will hook up of the line, we will be running mid. 13 @ 101 ,102mph.can i just buy new one rear end from the dealer?

where did you orders springs from?

looks like i will keep this car for a while, if i am putting lsd in it.

p.s. i am sorry for saying this,but i cant believe that 20 year old kid could figure out this and not the certified mechanics that are on this forum.How cac you don't know this?

i am very surprised.

sorry again,

Caug.

Modified by saeedakobiakov at 12:28 PM 12/3/2008

Modified by saeedakobiakov at 12:29 PM 12/3/2008

Modified by saeedakobiakov at 12:30 PM 12/3/2008

Modified by saeedakobiakov at 12:37 PM 12/3/2008
Modified by saeedakobiakov at 12:38 PM 12/3/2008

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Mark Linkous
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Caug,This thread was raised from the dead. Alex has not posted in Months. That being said, you might want to find Elwesso to discuss this. Certainly seems possible. As to the mechanics not figuring this out, I am not sure many have even pondered doing this around here. Until I read this thread, I never knew this was even possible.ML

saeedakobiakov
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i am surprised.this old car has being around for 5 years and none of the mechanics on this forum had any clue about rear diff.THIS car without lsd is a joke, they dont want to figure out how to make it better, come on now, do you know what are mean?that's my problem.

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Mark Linkous
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While I too would appreciate a LSD, calling the car a joke is a bit much. Primarily, this is a luxury sedan. Not a sports car. That being said, having this thread reborn has given all us Y34 owners a relatively cost effective upgrade. Something none of us thought possible. Caug, you seem to be a prime candidate for doing this. Cheers,ML

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szh
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Wes (elwesso) was one of the first people to tell me that I should change the rear differential in my M45 ... way back when I bought the car in 2003. That post is still in here! So, Caug, please don't assume things about the people on this forum and please don't make pejorative generalized comments like you did - they raise hackles.

Yes, we have considered and discussed this particular change in the past. The thing is that most people do not want to do much to their cars (time, money, engineering effort, etc.). For example, I like my car to perform stock as perfectly as possible, because that is perfectly good enough for me - I don't drive my car at 9/10ths all the time (only occasionally!). Bottom line: even though changing the rear differential is a relatively minor change (compared to what you could do), most people are not likely to actually go do it.

Others are willing to racetrack their car, or regularly take it to the dragstrip, or VIP mod it, etc., etc.

To each their own.

Z

saeedakobiakov
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that's right.i already find out that i would have to use 300zx tt rear diff and not 300zx n/a,still need to do more research.


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nmgoodthing
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Mark Linkous wrote:While I too would appreciate a LSD, calling the car a joke is a bit much. Primarily, this is a luxury sedan. Not a sports car. That being said, having this thread reborn has given all us Y34 owners a relatively cost effective upgrade. Something none of us thought possible. Caug, you seem to be a prime candidate for doing this. Cheers,ML
Please don't forget what they marketed this car as. Muscle Car with brains!

All the ads pushed it towards performance.

If this wasn't my daily driver I'd throw the z32 gears and lsd in.


maxnix
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saeedakobiakov wrote:THIS car without lsd is a joke,....that's my problem.
Yes it is because you bought it! Let's jsut say it is not as good as it could be.

If you read around the Q45 Forum, you will find that Z32 will not fit the G50 at least because of the different 6 bolt pattern on the half shafts. I would look there first, then to speed sensor gear adapters.

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Mark Linkous
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You know, I was actually thinking about that when I was writing that post. Then again, muscle cars were almost certainly equipped with some sort of LSD. It would be awesome to have a limited slip. Not so sure about changing the differential though.

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marosari00
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marosari00 wrote:After reviewing the '93 300ZX R200 rear end documentation, is it the same as the R200 from the '03/04 M45? If so, does anyone know if the LSD differential case from the ZX is interchangeable with the open differential case from the M?

Especially when I found this: https://optionsauto.com/prodin...66L15

Take care!
I asked the question in the Infiniti General forum. But just in case I may have found a source: http://www.quaife.co.uk/Nissan...ntial

Good luck all!

Modified by marosari00 at 2:00 PM 12/4/2008
Modified by marosari00 at 6:18 PM 12/4/2008

abaddsm
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I just wanted to jump in real quick to say that from my research the 300zx diff will not work as it is 5 bolt axle setup but the additional problem for any 300zx or 350z swap is that the connection for the driveshaft appears to be a 4 bolt configuration rather than the 6 bolt for the m45 so you it would not be a direct swap. The m45 needs a 6 bolt flange at the u-joint and 6 flanges on the axle shafts (one important note is that all 6 bolts must be equally spaced apart rather than the early 90's to late 90's r200s which had 6 bolts but arranged in 3 sets of 2 bolts close together if that makes any sense (240sx). r200's seemed to be used in everything but the catch is getting the correct bolt pattern so that you dont have to dissasemble the diff to add the correct flange as you would then have to reset the preload. It seems that the 06-08 M35 and M45 have the correct flanges and higher ratios although I see no mention of any LSD units. Will let you know if I find an LSD unit that works as a direct swap.

EDIT: after reviewing all of nissans lineup there appears to be no 100% direct swappable LSD for the 03-04 M45 as the useable diffs are from the new 06-08 m35/m45, 03-08 fx 35/45, 02-up q45, etc. Non of these come with an LSD. They do however have a lot of different higher ratio's such as 3.357, 3.53, and 3.69! G35/350z coupe and sedans and g37 coupes had/have the r200 with an optional LSD(r200v) on the AT models and it appears standard LSD on their manual equipped cars. These have the correct 6 bolt axle flanges but have the 4 bolt flange for the drive shaft instead of the 6 bolt flange that is on the m45 cars. This at first seemed to pose a problem but then I realized if you coule just source the correct flange on the ujoint side from a 4 bolt car you could most likely just replace the 6 bolt flange on the m45 for the 4 bolt flange of the g35 and g37 cars and voila you now have a R200V with rear gearing depending on the donor car:

350z:03-05 at/mt 3.35/3.5306-07 at/mt 3.53 only

G35 coupe and sedan:03 at/mt 3.35 only04.5-05 at/mt 3.35/3.5306-07 Coupe and 06 sedan at/mt 3.53 only07-08 sedan 3.69 only

G37 coupe:08 3.69 only

Hope this helps someone who wants to undertake this swap!
Modified by abaddsm at 3:36 PM 12/11/2008

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marosari00
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Thanks for the investigative work and all the information!!!


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F1SportsFan
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I'm confused. I thought the TT 300ZX had the R230 diff with the LSD. Here's an example that appears to have 6 bolt set-up all the way around. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...item=



Or is that 5 bolts on the drive shaft? I can't quite tell from the pics.

saeedakobiakov
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looks 6 to me.

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marosari00
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F1SportsFan
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So if it's six bolts all the way around, is it good to go? Does the R230 and R200 mount up the same?

EDIT: Looks like they are not interchangeable according to this post: zerothread?id=311788 Back to the R200.


Modified by F1SportsFan at 2:32 PM 12/30/2008


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