I just picked up a nearly new rearend setup from a 2003. It was pulled from an NB sponsor car to install a race setup (see pic below).

What tips or tricks can you tell me before I start the swap on my car?

 

get poly diff mounts.

 

Clean those parts up, they're f'n filthy.

 

Drop your exhaust. It's possible to get the diff into place without doing that, but the extra work to get the exhaust on and off is more than worth it. Other than that, it's a pretty easy swap. My roommate and I have done several and we can go from a 1.6 to a 1.8 setup in about 25 minutes.

 

Cheater bar, Take off the exhaust, Get help from a friend. Depending on what type of floor your using get something to lay on. Laying on cold hard concrete for the whole thing kinda sucks.

 

 

Yes, a small but vital detail. Any suggestions on what lube to run?

 

I'd go with redline 75w90.

 

I've searched and searched but haven't found where anyone said which speedometer drive gear to use in this swap? I did read where the factory 4:30 and the five speed read fast. So with the 4:10 and the same tranny do I need to change the drive gear or do I just get a buddy to pace me and see how far mine is off in comparison?

 

just orders a stock gear for what ever modle car came with your diff ratio ie for a 4.1 u order a 94-97 for a 4.3 u order a 1990-1993 and the 3.9's etc there u order based on vehicle option code each gear is about 10 bucks i think.