Worlds First 5-Speed Stickshift Q45.

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Jesda
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elwesso wrote:I find it amusing how the topic of discussion is about a manual transmission mated to a VH45 in a Q45 and all we can talk about is E-brakes?
Wouldn't be the Q forum without nitpickers.


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Wes, how much did lowering the trans mount affect ground clearance? The reason I ask is I already have trouble with speed bumps. Just curious how the 5-speed swap would impact that.

Also, do you have any pics of the shifter? Do the window controls still fit without modification?

Hopefully the starter will clear my headers and I'll be home free there.

I'll probably just remove the cruise equipment. I don't think I'd ever miss it.
Q451990 wrote:That is true. Maybe we're still in shock!
I think you're right.

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He is not releasing pics of his current interior, I tried.

But I doubt the window controls would clear the shifter in there stock housing.


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Ludeaem wrote:More video! That is sweet! Im surprised maxnix hasn't commented on the oil leaks on the under carriage haha. "you need to get all new seals"


let's start a list: Can you find all the non-factory things on the car that drive maxnix crazy!!!! i got dubs on the non-factory (wanna sound like a v-8 mustang) exhaust sysytem!

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mcrews
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elwesso wrote:I find it amusing how the topic of discussion is about a manual transmission mated to a VH45 in a Q45 and all we can talk about is E-brakes?
spoken like a moderator with a well-trained flock

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mcrews wrote:
spoken like a moderator with a well-trained flock
Touche sir, TOUCHE!!

Theres no way the trans is going to affect ground clearance the exhaust hangs lower than the trans.. Like I said, its less than an inch and the MT doesnt have the pan hanging down like the AT does.

Im not releasing pics of the interior until its all done... Long story short I have to modify the shifter surround by grinding a little off the rear and the right hand side. Im probably just going to make a new one.

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I dont blame you wesson oil......to many critics if its half done.....let them do it and release unfinished pics.......wont happen either..

I saw some pedals on the other car that look pretty good........what did he use?

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all thats on the first page...

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Johnny Rocket wrote:I saw some pedals on the other car that look pretty good........what did he use?
Are you speaking of my 5-speed conversion or the rb swap midnight did?

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See, this is why I stopped posting in forums. I asked what would be the popular vote on form of e-brake handle so I could write down some ideas on it and develop it from there. Ultimately I doubt more than 2 people are even going to have me do it, they're just going to talk about nit picking all the details and never get the nerve to do it themselves, or the money to pay me to do it. So I'll make you guys a deal, you get your s*** together, have the full list of parts so I don't have to run anywhere (I'll post it when this thread gets a bit more on topic), just work. I'll make your car to the point of where I made Wes' for between: $1500-2000 for the labor. That's a deal-of-the-century because I'm poor right now, the shop's slow, and everything I did is still fresh in my head. Almost everything in the car needs to be tweaked a little, and even though I pretty-much got wes' all figured out it's still going to be around 60+hours in the shop, our normal shop rate is $94.50/book hr. So it's a deal, you're not going to be able to find it better.

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Wes,

How did you handle the ECU/TCU communications? Do you have a "Transmission Malfunction" message on your dash? I know Infiniti made a big deal about retarding the spark advance a bit during shifts to make the A/T shift smoother - does that come in to play here?

Heath

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jimyb describes precisely why a handbrake that is easily modulated is critical if you don't drive in Iowa or Eastern Nebraska all the time.

It is not trivial in the least. No one can transfer from the foot brake to the accelerator and not roll back without an inefficient engagement and abusive of the clutch.

Still wonder about the U joint. Seems the only way to install correctly is strip the interior, cut the tunnel, install of mock up very accurately the transmission, clutch housing and engine on new engine mounts, mark, fabricate and weld new tunnel to accommodate the new transmission. Then fabricate mounts for the handbrake along the center console and the cable runs underneath the car.

Certainly this is an important first step, but not the final long term solution, unless you are just happy to be rolling..

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Q451990 wrote:Wes,

How did you handle the ECU/TCU communications? Do you have a "Transmission Malfunction" message on your dash? I know Infiniti made a big deal about retarding the spark advance a bit during shifts to make the A/T shift smoother - does that come in to play here?

Heath
I get a transmission malfunction code when you first turn the key on, but as soon as you crank the car it goes away.. So it really doesnt bother me.. I havent tried taking the TCU out and seeing if that does anything.

I could probably trick the car so the transmisison malfuction light doesnt come on...

As far as the ECU is concerned, there is no funny business. It starts up and idles like it should and runs like hell!!!

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So it's concluded that you'll never have a q stickshift (maxnix), good luck getting the strength back into your floorpan, unless you're adding a cage first. I the case that your're not adding a cage your car will need to be cut apart and the project done while it's bolted down to a unibody jig or the whole things' gonna sag in the middle when you are in there welding it back together.
Modified by sishinthin at 4:53 PM 3/18/2009

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sishinthin - This is nothing new.

Wes and I ran into this YEARS ago when we were developing a S/C kit for the G50.

And the driveshaft angle issue is a non-issue. Having messed with 4x4s for a while, and having my own struggles with a high-hp car with adjustments made to the engine heigt, I can tell you it is simply not an issue. There's not enough deflection to matter, and very few OEM designs maintain perfect linearity from trans output to diff input.

In fact, many are offset TO THE SIDE, as well as vertically.

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Heck, transfer case to front diff on trucks sees worse deflection from the factory.

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Yep.

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elwesso wrote:I could probably trick the car so the transmisison malfuction light doesnt come on...
Oh, I'm sure you could trick the cluster by supplying ground or 12V to whatever pin controls that message. I was more concerned about the spark timing retard. It will be interesting to hear how it will drive when the TCU is out.

Heath

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Im pretty sure before retarding starts it has to have a signal from the shift solenoid, and those arent there anymore...

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sishinthin wrote:So it's concluded that you'll never have a q stickshift (maxnix), good luck getting the strength back into your floorpan, unless you're adding a cage first. I the case that your're not adding a cage your car will need to be cut apart and the project done while it's bolted down to a unibody jig or the whole things' gonna sag in the middle when you are in there welding it back together.

Modified by sishinthin at 4:53 PM 3/18/2009
If you cut a hole in the top of the tunnel just large enough for the tranny you won't see anymore chassis flex than normal once you've made a cover panel for the hole which was cut.

1 out of every 500 owners will want this done(if that many) to their car, so you aren't going to "corner the market" so to speak. Sorry.

And if Maxnix wants a 5-speed, he'll have plenty of info from NICO to use.

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AZhitman wrote:Wes and I ran into this YEARS ago when we were developing a S/C kit for the G50.
Speaking of which, how is that coming?

I rather like Sijoko's project, and with lower compression pistons it should out perform a C63 or come very close.

Those big lifted 4x4 go through u joints at a pretty good clip. There is a reason that every FWD OEM uses constant velocity joints at least on the wheel side of the half shafts.

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Aborted. Permanently.

I put big power in small cars now.

Custom made aluminum D/S with new joints = $300. It's a wear item. Replace with every second set of tires if necessary.

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Raxephon wrote:And if Maxnix wants a 5-speed, he'll have plenty of info from NICO to use.
Nah, if I am going to all this trouble, T66. Even the GM 6 speed auto would probably require some tunnel modification, not to even speak of the nightmare of programming a TCU for it.

With turbo power, a beefed up RE4 is looking like a better solution. That's basically MB approach with their SOHC 3 valve ground ripping V12 torque monsters.

Problem is, the G50 is plenty fast for everyday traffic and cross country cruising. The question is, how much does one want to pay in reliability, maintenance and fuel expenses to drop passing time by a second or two?

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AZhitman wrote:Aborted. Permanently.

I put big power in small cars now.
Seems like a supercharged VH45DE in a Z32 would qualify. Rear tire life might be very short, though.

Reminds me I have to go see Craig's 450ZX conversion soon.
Modified by maxnix at 11:26 AM 3/18/2009

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Waaaaaaaiiit a minute. April 1st is around the corner. Wes is known for his April Fools shenanigans.

I'm on to you, my friend.

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Wes - have you looked at an SC300's interior, to see if you can copy/steal anything from it's parking break set up.

I think he's got some interior shots in one of his videos
Jesda wrote:Waaaaaaaiiit a minute. April 1st is around the corner. Wes is known for his April Fools shenanigans.

I'm on to you, my friend.
He's getting REAL good then, given his video and "our" ability to identify a Q45's interior.

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Rex wrote:He's getting REAL good then, given his video and "our" ability to identify a Q45's interior.
I'm still shocked by the awesomeness of this project.

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For me, the MT has way better fun factor and better for track use, which is what I want the car for... Like an Infiniti M5.. The C AMG's are overweight pigs that cant turn with huge power.

Just out of curiosity Brian, why would you want a 6 speed? The only way that'd be nicer is if you could get one that was like 2nd overdrive... The extra gear I dont think would do much for you, the VH has so much torque in such a wide band that IMO I dont think you'd want 6 speed.... Once I post a video of going through 1st, 2nd and 3rd, youll see...

Theres essentially no dead spots, seems to me like theres always a perfect gear, in the less than 100 miles ive driven the car..

You guys truly have no idea how great the VH is in stock form until you drive it without the slushbox.. INCREDIBLE.

Also, i dropped a "second or 2" with less maintenance and better fuel economy.. no more having to do transmission flushes, just change 2 quarts of fluid every year!!

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Rex wrote:Wes - have you looked at an SC300's interior, to see if you can copy/steal anything from it's parking break set up.
Thats sorta the idea that I had in my mind.. Where it would sit right next to the seat.

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Q451990 wrote:...Do you have a "Transmission Malfunction" message on your dash?...
There is one wire from the TCU that can be cut to eliminate the "Transmission Malfunction" message. If you want to do it I'll look it up later, can't recall the wire color/pin number from memory. Simple fix...


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