Frontier transmission works!

[SeanDean]

EDIT: DOES NOT WORK

Well I'm sure a lot of you know this by now, but the 2005+ Nissan Frontier transmission bolts to a VK45De and VK56DE, and from pictures the VK looks identical to the bolt pattern on my 1997 VH41DE.

For you VH45 guys... well I took a sandwich plate here for the VH41 and I lined it up on a VH45 bellhousing and SEVEN bolts line up, but the dowel pins do not.

The top 4 bolts line up, the 2 on the very bottom, and one of the lower side bolts.

The dowel issue can be fixed by running a tight steel sleeve over 2 of the large bolts and machining those bolt holes in the bellhousing to accept the sleeve.

I'm still playing with the R154 adapter because it can bolt to any Nissan RWD auto bellhousing, but thought I would share this with you guys.

EDIT: Also the VQ40 from the trucks is basically the first HR version of the VQ, and late model 350Z and the new body G35 plus G37 all have VQxxHR.

I personally believe the new VR engines are basically the VQxxHR with better heads because the HR was a HUGE technical update to the motor and many people believed it should be a new family

Modified by SeanDean at 5:51 PM 11/19/2007

Modified by SeanDean at 3:48 AM 11/23/2007
Modified by SeanDean at 10:33 PM 11/23/2007

[SeanDean]

VH41DE:



VK45DE:

[defrag010]

Great news!!! Just by looking on cardomain, it shows the 2005+ frontier as having both a 5 and a 6 speed manual transmission option. doweling a couple bolt holes is easy peasy. Do you happen to know if the manual transmissions are toploaders or if the shifters are on the rear of the case with linkages?

[SeanDean]

The 5speed is on the 4cylinder QR25DE engine.... no idea on that bolt pattern, but the 6speed is the same as the Z33 6speed with a different front pattern.

They are linkage style. On my car I ditched the linkage and welded a lever right onto the pivot on the back of the trans, and then I ran a rod with spherical ends rearward to act as my fulcrum so everything operates properly except I have no reverse lockout and no detent for reverse either...

They are very similar to the Z32 5speed, just with an extra gear set. Supposedly strength is about the same, early ones had some syncro issues (typical Nissan transmission) but I personally think the Z owners were being whiny because most were replaced due to 'notchiness'. That's how I got the Z33 trans I am using.....

Funny I went through so much headache making my adapter plate and I could have just for the front case from a Frontier....

[kingkilburn]

So in plain english, the 6speed trans from an '05+ Frontier will bolt up(with some modification) to a vh45. Yes or no?Don't want to get my hopes up for nothing

[Mettler]

Pretty sure he means it'll bolt to a VH41DE.

One thing Sean, what kind of ratios does the frontier have? May be more suited to that style of vehicle than a sports car >_<

[SeanDean]

It will bolt to VH45 with 7 bolts, but you will need to remove your dowel pins and align the transmission with sleeves on a couple of the bolts.

The top 4 (the really huge overkill 14mm bolts) the 2 bottom, and 1 side bolt.

Can one of you guys get a pic of the Jap spec early VH41 pattern? I know starter is on same side as the Y33 Cima/Q45, so that pattern is prolly the same too...
Modified by SeanDean at 11:30 PM 11/19/2007

[SeanDean]

4.368:1 first gear ratio, 2.518:1 second gear ratio, 1.743:1 third gear ratio, 1.283:1 fourth gear ratio, 1:1 fifth gear ratio, 0.769:1 sixth gear ratio 3.966:1 reverse gear ratio

FS6R31A transmission

[SeanDean]

350Z:

1- 3.7942- 2.3243- 1.6244- 1.2715- 1.06- .794R- 3.446

Better have a 3.69 or 3.54 rear end with either one!

Remember 2007+ 350Z and G35/G37 transmissions bolt up also.
Modified by SeanDean at 11:27 PM 11/20/2007

[kingkilburn]

So the newer 350Z trans bolts on as well as the frontier trans?

Would ebay item number: 130173098618 work?
Modified by kingkilburn at 10:58 PM 11/19/2007

[T45]

Nah, I would keep my 4.10 rear set and start a business uprooting trees with my Z. lol

The truck trans is definately a wide ratio compared to the car but it could be of some benefit in the mid-top end. 1st is pretty much useless though unless you like 20mph redlines.

[elwesso]

Thats amazing!!

How hard are the FS6 trans to obtain?

Do you think the 7 bolts will be fine to bolt to the engine? What flywheel and clutch would you use, could you still use a Z?

Im pretty sure the JDM and US VH41s have the same pattern but I could be wrong.

[USAF_G35_Guy]

[Mettler]

Can one of you guys get a pic of the Jap spec early VH41 pattern? I know starter is on same side as the Y33 Cima/Q45, so that pattern is prolly the same too...

JDM VH41DE:



So Sean, are you saying that I can take a 350Z 6 speed box and bolt it straight to my VH41DE, apart from the bottom holes (which obviously differ in the sump)?

[SeanDean]

So the newer 350Z trans bolts on as well as the frontier trans?

Would ebay item number: 130173098618 work?

Modified by kingkilburn at 10:58 PM 11/19/2007

No that's a standard VQ35DE transmission, same transmission I have. Same box mine came in also... haha

But if you buy that and get a frontier bellhousing/front half, then it will work.

But that front half from Nissan is prolly over $400

Nah, I would keep my 4.10 rear set and start a business uprooting trees with my Z. lol

The truck trans is definately a wide ratio compared to the car but it could be of some benefit in the mid-top end. 1st is pretty much useless though unless you like 20mph redlines.

Haha, I actually have an 07 Frontier 6speed and I normally roll out in 2nd gear unless I come to a 100% complete stop, and sometimes even not.

I think the rear end is like a 4.10 ish and the tires are 265/70-16....

So Sean, are you saying that I can take a 350Z 6 speed box and bolt it straight to my VH41DE, apart from the bottom holes (which obviously differ in the sump)?

I think all of your bolts should fit perfect, even the sump ones. Your dowel pins are the same as the mine and the VK also.

Thanks for the pic BTW!

[kingkilburn]

Maybe it would be worth it to get a VH41, put a VH45 crank in it, and then get the correct 350Z transmission to bolt up.

That in a 240SX would be the car Nissan should have produced.The longer I wait to build my dream car the better the dream gets.

[Mettler]

So from what year onwards 350Z box will fit my engine? 2005+? Or is it only the frontier box from 2005+ and the 2007+ 350Z box?

You're a legend for figuring this out Sean! Now we just need to make up a basic, easy to follow chart of what bolts to what to summarise it all!

[elwesso]

from the sounds of things, it seems to break down like this.

The trans you want is an 05+ FS6R31A

it will bolt DIRECTLY onto a:

VH41VK45VK56

It will bolt on with some slight dowel modifications to a VH45 as well.

Now we need to figure out the ideal clutch and flywheel.

[kingkilburn]

So this is the correct trany? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

I think I can see the bolt patter but I want to be sure.

It would seem that a 350Z/G35 clutch and fly wheel would work.
Modified by kingkilburn at 4:34 PM 11/21/2007

[Mettler]

It will bolt on with some slight dowel modifications to a VH45 as well.

I thought the VH45 had an inverse bellhousing pattern and had the starter motor on the other side etc?

Now we need to figure out the ideal clutch and flywheel.

Flywheel = Mettler flywheel built to suit your clutch kit, since you can retain the factory VH starter. Clutch kit = typical generic heavy duty 350Z clutch kit.

So this is the correct trany? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...wItem

I think I can see the bolt patter but I want to be sure.

Hate to say it, but the bolt pattern looks way different.

Sean, where did you get your info about the Frontier transmission bolting up? Source?

It appears the 350Z has a different pattern, or the gearbox advertised in that auction is not in fact a new style gearbox with the compatible pattern (i.e. not off an HR version of the engine).

Either way, I guess swapping to the frontier front casing would work.... providing your initial source is accurate.

[Raxephon]

FYI: A 2005 350z 6-speed will NOT bolt directly to a VH45DE.

A 1996 Skyline GTR AWD transmission will NOT bolt directly to a VH45DE.

[gammer_ghn]

Soo this would fit in a 1999 Q45 which obtains the VH41? i was dreaming of a 5 speed for my car but a 6 speed please some one do a write upi want this so bad just imagine how happy you guys will make me in my Q45 popping the clutch at 4k rmp in my 99 Q omg what a lunch that would be ahh but ya seriously please someone do a write up or make sure it for real. thanks!!!

[elwesso]

I thought the VH45 had an inverse bellhousing pattern and had the starter motor on the other side etc?

Flywheel = Mettler flywheel built to suit your clutch kit, since you can retain the factory VH starter. Clutch kit = typical generic heavy duty 350Z clutch kit.

Hate to say it, but the bolt pattern looks way different.

Sean, where did you get your info about the Frontier transmission bolting up? Source?

It appears the 350Z has a different pattern, or the gearbox advertised in that auction is not in fact a new style gearbox with the compatible pattern (i.e. not off an HR version of the engine).

Either way, I guess swapping to the frontier front casing would work.... providing your initial source is accurate.

I just made my post so that someone would correct me if I was indeed misinterpriting something...

The easy thing to do would be to get a bunch of the spacer plates and just compare them.

[MrPresidentQ45]

Out of idle curiosity (and since I like to row my own) what would you use for a pedal set if you were to swap a 6-spd into a Y33 car? I've heard the stock slushbox is notorious for failure and would rather swap in a manual than replace/rebuild the stock auto (when and if it fails). Sounds like we need to develop a running parts list, trans, flywheel, clutch etc. to make it easy.

[Carl H]

I would imagine that you would have to fab up a pedal set or install a floor mounted clutch pedal and trim down the auto brake pedal.the real trick will be passing obd2 inspections as the ecu will be constantly looking for the auto trans and unless you can reflash the auto control stuff out it may put it in limp mode and or constantly throw a code or 50.

Out of idle curiosity (and since I like to row my own) what would you use for a pedal set if you were to swap a 6-spd into a Y33 car? I've heard the stock slushbox is notorious for failure and would rather swap in a manual than replace/rebuild the stock auto (when and if it fails). Sounds like we need to develop a running parts list, trans, flywheel, clutch etc. to make it easy.

[Mettler]

Can't anyone confirm whether a frontier transmission IS actually compatible? I'm dying to know, it's been more than a day since I posted the pic of that 350Z box bellhousing pattern!!

[kingkilburn]

Does anyone have a pic of the '05 and up bell housing from a Frontier, or can they obtain one?

[SeanDean]

Well, now I don't know what to say, I read numerous places that the new VQ35HR pattern was the same as the VK but apparently that is wrong.

http://www.google.com/search?q...US212

Please check that link for the sources of the VK pattern rumor.

From the best I can tell, my Frontier has the same pattern as the 2007 G35 transmission on eBay. My truck is a 4x4 and I can't see much of the pattern from underneath, but I reached back and felt for those 2 top bolts that are close to each other and yep, they are there....., and on the V8 patterns, those are much farther apart.

MAN I AM PISSED ABOUT THIS!!!

I really let all you guys down on this one. I am still going to research it further, but for right now, this is very much in question.......

[SeanDean]

2007 G35 VQ35HR



But this 2007 has the new for VQ--HR hydraulic throwout... the previous bellhousing posted did not...



just searched VQ on my computer and came up with this picture:



Apparently I started looking into this a long time ago but never followed through, It would appear the Frontier pattern is slightly different from VQ35DE, and the same as VQ35HR.......

sigh........
Modified by SeanDean at 11:47 PM 11/23/2007

[SeanDean]

http://www.nissanperformancema...q35hr/

2 Paragraphs below the picture of the head:

"The rear of the block has the same bellhousing bolt pattern as the VK45 and 56 as well as the VQ40DE, some interesting info for all of you swapaholics out there."

GRRRRRRR........