Swapping S51 (Camry) 5th gear AND final drive into S54, + LSD Options

[slavie]

Hey y'all,

Quick intro: I've been lurking around the forum for some time, even got myself a project 3S-GTE 6gc off a member here. Big plans there (Haltech EMS, SS susp & brakes, GT4 nose, bilstein c/o), but I'm determined to first finish my project 5spd swapped Camry (Colt cams, eManage, poly susp bushings, OBX exhaust, V6 BBK, tein springs, trd rsb, TWM short shifter, ACT clutch, tranny mods) and take it to the track one last time.

So...

5th gear is definitely getting transferred to the 6gc S54 with ~105k mi on it from the S51 in my Camry (210k mi, 3rd synchro is gone, 1st gear's crusty).
Oh yea, there's also the Kaaz LSD sitting on the shelf.
This is all going into the Camry, as the 6gc already has an E153 w/ LSD.

After doing a bunch of research, I'm leaning towards swapping the Camry 3.994 final drive in lieu of the 4.176 of the S54. The gearing is already quite a bit shorter on the S54, so retaining the lower final drive will yield a smaller bump in the 1-4 gears, and will give me the best possible fuel economy in the 5th gear for the highway.

Yes, going with the higher final drive will give me better acceleration, yada yada yada, BUT, this is going into the Camry that I would ultimately like to be a little quieter on the highway and, let's face it, it's not a dedicated track car and isn't competing in LeMans.

QUESTION 1:
Does anybody have good info on swapping the smaller final drive gear? I'm not sure how much disassembly is required on the output shaft. Basically, any info/help will be appreciated here.

QUESTION 2:
Let me know if anybody has specific request on pictures and whatnot. General suggestion/discussion on the topic is welcome.

The transmission is already out of the Camry, so it's time to crack open the gearboxes!
Thanks!

[slavie]

Alright, I figured out the shifting assembly - it is quite different from C and E series boxes. You have to remove the lock bolt (which was stuck in my case) and the outside shift arm will come out. Off comes the protective rubber boot, and you're greeted with a 36mm nut to unbolt the cap that holds the shift mechanism in place. Had to run to HF to pick up the 36mm socket...

The middle case is not off, gears exposed. All I have to do now is remove all the S51 gears, swap out the gears with the S54 ones, and press everything back together. Then swap the final drive, speed sender ring, and the bearing over to the Kaaz LSD and bolt everything back up checking the clearances. Fun.