Z32 to VH45 Adapter plate group buy?

[elwesso]

Well now that Ive sold a handful of the first run plates, I am gauging interest on doing a GB...

Price will be $350 for a plate, and it comes complete with everything you need! Lead time by the time I start production will be about 3-4 weeks.. I already have the CAD files in hand, so I dont anticipate it taking longer than that.

Ive got 2 out there right now to guys on NICO, so they should be posting up info on how they turned out. Any design changes that need to be made will be made prior to the GB, so you'll be getting a perfect product.

Benefits of mine are is you don't have to machine the bellhousing (which costs extra, especially if you have to ship it), and since its only 1/4 in thick it does not significantly move the transmission back, enough so you can maintain your stock mounts.

If I can get 3 people to commit and pre pay, that will be good enough for me to do a run of 5, which I am required to do.

[craigztoyz]

Wes,

I am interested, I am in works of buying my next Z32 to build. One I am testing out, goes up for sale in a month, so looking at a better idea for the swap then my last purchase.Got a few q's though.What flywheel,clutch,starter is used in this swap? Very important as not all of us have both sets of parts.With it spaced out, what have you done about the clutch? Flywheel spaced out, or is there a safer way?

Steel?Flat headed bolts, recessed?

I remember the discussion while designing, but never saw these answered. Thanx, and appreciate your hard work. I spend a lot of time on Autocad building and planning, and appreciate the work it takes to go from thought to product.

Craig

[elwesso]

great questions craig

First, it uses standard countersink flathead screws, not regular hex head bolts.. this allows the plate to be really thin. It uses an allen hex key to fasten them into the block.

Again, the plate is only 1/4in thick. Its like as thick as 2 standard washers, to get a visual.. Spacing is done by the stock VH45 automatic tranmission spacers, they are 1/4in thick as well and you just use that and your flywheel will be perfect. With the dixon plate, the spacer was almost an inch thick. With this plate, the spacer is like putting a washer behind the flywheel.. Insignificant at best, but if you want I could do some analysis on the fasteners...

In all honesty, you could probably get away withotu spacing it at all. Theres more than enough room on the input shaft, and I think the starter would still mesh up fine!

You can use whatever flywheel and clutch combo you like.. I dont know enough about them on VH applications to recommend one in particular. This will clear Z32 TT and N/A flywheels...

The starter is the stock VG one thats mounted on the transmission.

its made of regular A36 steel.

[craigztoyz]

great questions craig

First, it uses standard countersink flathead screws, not regular hex head bolts.. this allows the plate to be really thin. It uses an allen hex key to fasten them into the block.

Again, the plate is only 1/4in thick. Its like as thick as 2 standard washers, to get a visual.. Spacing is done by the stock VH45 automatic tranmission spacers, they are 1/4in thick as well and you just use that and your flywheel will be perfect. With the dixon plate, the spacer was almost an inch thick. With this plate, the spacer is like putting a washer behind the flywheel.. Insignificant at best, but if you want I could do some analysis on the fasteners...

In all honesty, you could probably get away withotu spacing it at all. Theres more than enough room on the input shaft, and I think the starter would still mesh up fine!

You can use whatever flywheel and clutch combo you like.. I dont know enough about them on VH applications to recommend one in particular. This will clear Z32 TT and N/A flywheels...

The starter is the stock VG one thats mounted on the transmission.

its made of regular A36 steel.

Wes, Thank you, exactly what I was looking for in a reply.

Clutch and all is Z32 parts- exactly what I want.You use the spacer same way I did on this one, and works great(I got bolts for Pinto, worked great, and much stronger, and only $30)What worries me is- is the plate stong enough to hold the trans hanging off of it while installing and pulling motor. At that depth, assuming the bolt head takes half the depth, thats not much metal holding it down, but have seen less to more.When do you plan on making this run, when is payment due, and do you already have a great CNC shop to do it. Weight is what, 7-12 lbs? Thanx again, Craig

[LEMHEAD16]

I have one of the prototypes that Wes made. So far it works great, I bolted the engine and trans together with no issues other than having to clearance one of the dowel pin holes by a hair.

As soon as I can get an extra set of hands over I can stab the combo in the car and see if it will work with the stock trans mount.

Keep in mind this is in an s13 not a Q

[elwesso]

part weighs about 5lbs when I package them up. I dont know if I would let it dangle on the plate for long, I would always keep a jack under it, but that holds true with any adapter plate. I have more confidence in my thin steel plate than a slightly thicker aluminum plate.

Ive already got a CNC shop to make them for me...

[craigztoyz]

part weighs about 5lbs when I package them up. I dont know if I would let it dangle on the plate for long, I would always keep a jack under it, but that holds true with any adapter plate. I have more confidence in my thin steel plate than a slightly thicker aluminum plate.

Ive already got a CNC shop to make them for me...

Exactly what I wanted to hear. After my last experience with the forfentioned thicker alm piece. My only concern would be that I install mine together, usually alone, so I want to know I am not going to have it break in midair, but Ilike the sound of it, cant wait to hear more feedback.

Date when you need order?payment is due at pickup, or deposit, or ?

[elwesso]

Really I am only on a schedule of when everyone wants to do it. I have my plate, im just trying to have everyone else get theirs when they want it!!!

I recalculated everything, and if I get 2 people to pre-pay IN FULL I should be good... So Craig if you want 2 ( ) or get 1 other person to pre pay, I can tell my machinist to get the ball rolling on monday. If theres a discrepency with getting the parts, I'll simply refund your money (which is why paypal is nice)

My machinist isnt on a schedule, I give him the money and he fires up the machine when I ask him to. I think most of the lead time is getting the material, i think it probably only takes about 15-20 mins to make a part once everything is set.

[craigztoyz]

Sounds sweet. I have a few weeks till I have another need. Will let you know here in the next few weeks.
Modified by craigztoyz at 8:10 PM 7/25/2008

[thejapino]

Hopefully, you'll still have the GB available in October b/c I've been saving for this vegas trip in September.

[v8massive]

hey Wes whats up,iam a newbie 2 this site,but lovin it already,u guys ah a real insprational,an comitted Q45 crew,thats wats up.Im really trying 2 get my hands on 1 of dem adpater plates 4my Q,how soon & how much?

[rbini100]

will this work on a vh41?

[SuperHatch]

will this work on a vh41?

No, bolt pattern is different.

[Z Style]

I am very interested in the adapter plate. Send me an email with some pictures of the ones already made to [email protected]

[craigztoyz]

or better yet, Wes, will you post them to here please, so we can all see them.

[elwesso]

no problemo... Heres the plate that I have, click to enlarge. This isnt a completed one, but it has the holes and the design of the next run is going to be, for all benefits and purposes the same. Only differences is the plate to transmission studs will be welded in.

[elwesso]

Oh, I almost forgot, I have one more "prototype" plate ready for someone who doesnt mind sourcing and welding the plate to transmission studs. The fastners are easy to find, all you have to do is buy and weld, and its not expensive.

Email me if someone's interseted, and get yourself a plate for less than the GB price...

[Z Style]

Oh, I almost forgot, I have one more "prototype" plate ready for someone who doesnt mind sourcing and welding the plate to transmission studs. The fastners are easy to find, all you have to do is buy and weld, and its not expensive.

Email me if someone's interseted, and get yourself a plate for less than the GB price...

Don't see email in this thread. Email me at [email protected] I am very interested.

[elwesso]

its in my profile..

[elwesso]

ive got 1 or 2 for a reduced cost, email me for details.

[MadmikeX3]

If I where to use this Coupled with the mazworx Vh45DE S chassis engine mounts and other mazworx items would it still fit correctly or would it be to far up or to the rear with the shifter hole?

[thejapino]

Wes, how is the fitment of the plate so far? Any of the members with prototype plates finished the 5-speed swap yet? Issues?

I'd like to put myself on the group-buy list if these plates are ready to be built, with all of the kinks worked out of course! So...

1. [email protected].

[DJ Raijin]

so this is to mount a Z32 5 speed into a Q45 correct? would it still work with a VH45DE in a Z32?

[elwesso]

yes...

I still have like 2 left of the prototypes.

[thejapino]

Wes, what's needed to make the prototypes work? The alignment dowels need to be welded in or something like that? How competent of a shop would I need to find to get that done? Also, the best place to find the dowels/alignment pins?

Also, Lemhead16, did you have any issues with Z32 starter to VH block? Besides the dowel pin issue, did you see anything else worth noting?

[sijoko]

Has anyone done this conversion on a Q45 yet? Can it even be done?

Wes, I remember seeing a post where you did some work toward the swap but then you had to put the car back together. So, what's the hope for a 5 speed Q45?

[elwesso]

I really dont see it being a huge issue, for me its a time issue.. The major thing is going to be modifying the pedals, from there its just bolt the trans to the motor and make a new DS.

I am only a little concerned about the Z32 starter (box mounted) needing clearance in the tunnel.

[pagemaster]

Hey wes i could be interested looking at getting a slicktop with a bunk vg30de and since im poor and dont feel like tting it Having acsess to the mech eng machine shop is a help as well

[KRS-1]

Hey are you still doing the plates??

Thanks

[zeppy180]

Do you still make the plate can you email me [email protected]