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Anyone ever tried a Z32TT Trans behind an L-Series motor?


kj280z

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I've searched through the archives but didn't see that anyone had tried using a 300zxtt 90-96 manual trans with an L-Series Motor. Obviously, a custom mounting plate would be required etc...

 

With all the talk of the G-Force WC T-5 and the associated cost, I believe the Z32TT guys have proven that the 300zxtt trans is good to 600hp.

 

Might be a cheaper solution?

 

Any thoughts?

 

Ken

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Guest PROJECTRB240SX

Like The 2.4l Trucks Compared To The 240sx..... The Tranny Ratios Are The Same. Nissan Did This For Simplicity And They Changed The Rearend Ratios To Suit Specific Vehicle Needs.

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I have this same transmission sitting around (the T-5 that came in the Z31 turbo)... it is the FS5R90A

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=7944924901&category=33733

 

If you read what the guys at z31.com say, they refer to it as the weakest of the Z31 turbo transmissions (http://z31.com/transmission.shtml)

 

I pasted this info from there ... I assume it's reliable...

 

"The Z31 came with three different manual 5 speed transmissions. All manual non-turbos used a 5 speed Nissan transmission (FS5W71C). The 84-86 manual turbos used a Borg-Warner T-5 5 speed (FS5R90A). The 87-89 manual turbos use the same nissan truck transmission found in z32 turbos, trucks, pathfinders, etc (FS5R30A). All manual transissions have synchros on all forward gears.

 

 

"It has been generally regarded that the FS5R90A transmission is not very strong. People seem to blow these up with as little as 300 horsepower."

 

"The second strongest Z31 manual transmission is the FS5W71C. This transmission is used in the 240SX, 180SX, Silvia, etc."

 

"The best of the Z31 manual transmissions is the FS5R30A. This transmission is the same design as the transmission used in the Z32 300ZX models. Only the gear ratios are different. There are Z32s running these transmissions with well over 600 horsepower and are not blowing them up."

 

My question is... Does the 300zxtt also use the FS5R30A?

 

I have found 3 of the FS5R30A transmissions for sale for between $350 and $450, so if this transmission is a viable option and will hold up in higher HP applications, it certainly sounds like something I would like to research further.

 

Gears in all the trannies mentioned are:

 

FS5W71C 3.321 1.902 1.308 1.000 0.759 Rev 3.636

FS5R90A 3.350 2.056 1.376 1.000 0.752 Rev 3.153

FS5R30A 1987 3.324 2.077 1.360 1.000 0.751 Rev 3.382

FS5R30A 1988-89 3.324 2.077 1.360 1.00 0.711 Rev 3.382

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I do know that the Z32TT trans has the same internals as the RB25det trans, so this is why I scooped up a freshly rebuilt one off Egay, with the hardyness in mind to use with my RB26...

 

The Z32TT trans has been used with the RB26 motor, in a RWD config by simply swaping out the front bellhousing, but then of course there is the shifter local issue to be delt with...

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The newer V6 trucks (Pathy, Frontier, etc) used the FS5R30A, 4 bangers used the FS5W71C. There is significant changes in gearing in the truck boxes. The first gear is lower in the truck boxes, 4.061 in 4wd, 3.580 in 2WD. The overdrives vary a bit, between .811 and .862. 2nd,3rd,4th are the same between the Z31 and 2wd trucks. 4wd have wider ratios. Supercharged trucks have a bit better synchros.

Z32 trannies are the same internally between N/A and TT. The starter motor location and front case are different in order to get room for the turbos and downpipes.

Joel - As for the Z32 shifter problem, I think that you can get the striking rod out of a Z31 or a truck box and get rid of the monkey-motion U-jointed shifter linkage and just go with an internal shifter. If you want me to check P/N's for the swap, let me know and I'll start that process. It may take a while....You may be able to use the rod and shifter from the RB26dett AWD box, I'm not sure, but it looks close.

Where does the shifter line up on your 260 with the engine in the set-back and down position? Does the Z32 shifter sit aft of the hole?Does the cover (where a truck or Z31 shifter bolt on) line up with the shifter hole in the tunnel? Inquiring minds would like to know....

Ken - Don't use the T5 - That particular tranny is a POS. Sell it to some poor Z31 turbo sucker.

 

The big thing for the L-series bolt-up is the bellhousing flange, and that is pretty much the only issue. I may just mill the VG flange off of the bellhousing and weld a section in from the L-series tranny. Oh, and make a big-ass driveshaft.

 

Doug

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Doug,

 

GREAT info! I agree that the front bell housing modification shouldn't be too bad...

 

I'd be curious to hear how well the shifter lines up...

 

Are all gears for the 90-96 Z32 FS5R30A the same as the Z31? (1988-89 3.324 2.077 1.360 1.00 0.711 Rev 3.382)...

 

If so, it sounds like that's the tranny of choice to give this a try...

 

Ken

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Z32 trannies are the same internally between N/A and TT

Doug

 

Are you positive of this? If so, that sure makes avail mo better.... :-D

 

As far as where its lining up in my car, I haven't tried it yet.... I used a rb25det box I bought, with the thought of the Z32 use at a later time (after I shread the rb box....:oops: ) Its just waiting for use in my shop, along with a Z33 6 spd.

 

I like the sound of being able to graft the bolt pattern, its just the other parts that have to be done exact, at the same time.... (distance from input shaft to crankshaft etc)

 

Doug, thanks for the offer on the P/N's, but hold off and I'll take a look at the couple spare AWD rb26 trans I have in the shead.

If that would work, it will make things go a lot easier when time comes to use the Z32TT trans behind the rb26....

 

Thanks for the info

joel

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Z32 boxes are all the same internally, no differences except the case.

 

Ratios are 3.214, 1.925, 1.302, 1.000, 0.752.

 

I imagine that I will build a jig that lines everything up with the gearbox on its nose, and then weld the two partial bellhousings together. I index the whole works off of the input housing sleeve to ensure that it is concentric to the crankshaft. It's been done before, there is a 235RWHP slant-6 powered lightweight Dart running around these parts with a Datsun 5speed welded to the aluminum Dodge bellhousing. Funny, it also has 3 weber DCOE's on it....

 

Doug

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  • 2 weeks later...
  • 3 weeks later...
  • 1 month later...

Hi Ken - Sorry, no significant progress right now. I was talking to Jersey about this the other night, he is looking for options right now also. I know that the process is do-able, as I've done it with other trannies. It is also not too costly for me, with access to a full machine shop. Just the cost of the tranny, a custom D/S, an L-series bellhousing, and materials to build an alignment jig. It's just a matter of not having the time required right now to do it correctly. I'm back overseas, so nothing for the next 4 weeks at least. I had a crash-damaged aircraft that needed sheetmetal repair last time home, so nothing else got done. I really want to get this worked out, as I don't think that my current N/A tranny is going to last.

 

Sorry - Doug

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