Still some little issues to work out, mainly i have to get a longer shifter rod (needs to be about 4-5 inches longer), and some other stuff. but the car runs and drives well, im uploading a video of it driving.

Tomorrow I'll post some pics of the drivetrain/adapter plate, and in a little while I'll post up some stuff when I get the console all done..

Im really tired and Im gonna go drive the car some more!!

Not the easiest project in the world, but very possible..

Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (elwesso)
Posted by: unknown007 at 8:10 PM 3/14/2009

unavailable still processing.Really i'll take that Q gutted out if i have to.



Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (unknown007)
Posted by: elwesso at 8:29 PM 3/14/2009

Video, quick burst in 1st and 2nd

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDlEURNzCBU

Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (elwesso)
Posted by: unknown007 at 8:30 PM 3/14/2009

Quote, originally posted by elwesso »

accidentally deleted my post... Video, quick burst in 1st and 2nd http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDlEURNzCBU

same issue



Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (unknown007)
Posted by: elwesso at 8:32 PM 3/14/2009

Quote, originally posted by elwesso »

jeez dude be patient

Hahaha NO!!! I want 5-speed!!!

I though the video was up that's why you posted.

I=FAIL for patience.



Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (elwesso)
Posted by: maxnix at 9:09 PM 3/14/2009

Good going. Now on to a 6 speed.



Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (maxnix)
Posted by: Q451990 at 11:15 PM 3/14/2009

For the record, I can lug this thing at 500 RPM going 10MPH in 5th gear going up hill and it doesnt lug, love the VH. The short throw shifter has NO play it and it feels like the bolt on a rifle..

No tunnel modifications required, however my trans is sitting a little lower in the back and appropriate shims were added to the center bearing.



Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (elwesso)
Posted by: elwesso at 10:42 AM 3/15/2009

I had some pre-mufflers (resonators) where the stock ones are, decided to take them out so it was a little louder... Sounds MEAN.

Drivers side exhaust (precat deleted)

Passenger side exhaust.

Closeup of slave cylinder and also a nice shot of the adapter plate

Starter and exhaust clearance, as you can see the pre-cat would have not even come close to clearing!

This shot you can see everything, you can see how we lowered the transmission a little less than an inch so that it would clear the tunnel..

Bottom view directly under the transmisison. the bolts on the very bottom hold the factory dust shield and lower brackets on

Driveshaft (ooooh, shiney!!)

Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (elwesso)
Posted by: elwesso at 10:46 AM 3/15/2009

Master Cylinder where cruise control used to be (sorry its so messy looking)

Post Title:
Posted by: Jesda at 10:51 AM 3/15/2009

its straight forward to remove the trans.



Post Title:
Posted by: MR. Q at 11:12 AM 3/15/2009

...and your starter needs a heat shield.



Post Title:
Posted by: dusred at 8:51 PM 3/15/2009

It seems like anytime anyone mentioned swapping a Q for a manual transmission everyone yelled "illegal!". Very tight. Very nice, Wes.



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: Jesda at 9:38 PM 3/15/2009

Quote, originally posted by elwesso »

Yeah it was an RB25... I dont like counting that since it wasnt the VH45

Indeed, and that one looked to have been gutted. Yours appears to have -everything- still in tact. I can't wait to see this in PA. I think everyone here has been waiting years for someone to pull off a VH45 manual. The sound of the VH makes me SO happy.



Post Title: Re: (dusred)
Posted by: PBfrEAk at 9:40 PM 3/15/2009

Now do you have a thread with pics of the swap itself yet? I'd love to see those.

What Tranny did you mate to the VH? I assume this was a custom adapter plate...but was it fabbed up by you or someone else?

If there is another thread with this stuff lemme know haha...I didn't even know you were doing this!!



Post Title: Re: (dusred)
Posted by: BadQ45t at 9:43 PM 3/15/2009

AWESOME! 1/4 and 0-60 estimates?



Post Title:
Posted by: qsiguy at 10:57 PM 3/15/2009

Questions:
Do you have a bill of materials yet?

What's the estimated total cost to this point?

How much does your installer want to do it again or what would he estimate a typical shop would charge to do this job if parts were supplied by the owner?



Post Title: World's first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45 -But For How Long? (elwesso)
Posted by: maxnix at 3:51 AM 3/16/2009

This is precisely the samce reason FWD cars use CV adn not U joints on the half shafts. Greater deflection there, but principal is still the same. maybe the only way to do it right is to cut and weld a larger cavity into the transmission tunnel to maintain correct alignment?



Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (elwesso)
Posted by: Rex at 4:03 AM 3/16/2009

Quote, originally posted by elwesso »

I dont really see why you'd want a 6 speed, the gears for this are perfect.. The VH has so much torque adding a gear would just be adding a shift. 3rd gear is intense on the highway... For the record, I can lug this thing at 500 RPM going 10MPH in 5th gear going up hill and it doesnt lug, love the VH. The short throw shifter has NO play it and it feels like the bolt on a rifle.. No tunnel modifications required, however my trans is sitting a little lower in the back and appropriate shims were added to the center bearing.

Did you ever come to a final conclusion on whether you have a stock rear gear or not?



Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (Rex)
Posted by: MinisterofDOOM at 4:22 AM 3/16/2009

Stock '94-'96 Q45 4AT:
1: 2.569
2: 1.479
3: 1.000
4: 0.694

Z32 5MT:
1: 3.214
2: 1.925
3: 1.302
4: 1.000
5: 0.752

Here's a nice tool for comparing gearing data:
http://www.grimmjeeper.com/gears.html
It's a 4x4 calculator, so plug in a 1 in one of the transfer case ranges and leave the doubler fields (step 3) empty.



Post Title: Re: Worlds first 5-Speed Stickshift Q45. (elwesso)
Posted by: jimbyjimb at 4:46 AM 3/16/2009

Quote, originally posted by PBfrEAk »

Wow...beautiful. Now do you have a thread with pics of the swap itself yet? I'd love to see those. What Tranny did you mate to the VH? I assume this was a custom adapter plate...but was it fabbed up by you or someone else? If there is another thread with this stuff lemme know haha...I didn't even know you were doing this!!

About all the pics I have are the ones I posted, theres really not much to it we pretty much bolted everything together. Plate was made by me (im going to do another run soon).. Using a Z32 N/A transmission..

ended up using a Z32 brake pedal and a pathfinder clutch pedal. Used the pathy pedal because it juts way farther over than the Z32 pedal, so only minor mods were needed.. Put the pathfinder pedal arm into the Z32 pedal bracket (since I already had a Z32 pedal assembly with the master cylinder and holes drilled for the Z32 pedal)

Z32 on the left, pathfinder on the right

Quote, originally posted by BadQ45t »

Post up another video in the daylight just showing the install of the shifter, that alone will get me up to youtube..just to see that stick where the slushbox shifer normally sits.

Give me a couple weeks to finish the shifter, it looks pretty jacked up right now, just because im still working out some minor wiring things to get the cruise and the drive positioner to work.. Also, the Z32 shifter arm is way too short for the Q so a custom one woudl need to be made (the shifter arm needs to be able 4inches longer to sit flush with the trim)

Quote, originally posted by mcheddadi »

AWESOME! 1/4 and 0-60 estimates?

Ill rock your M5, how's that sound? 0-60 and 1/4 mile times may be skewed since I dont like powershifting manual trannies... Ill post more videos once I have the correct speedo gear in...

Quote, originally posted by qsiguy »

Congrats Wes. Looks like fun. Questions: Do you have a bill of materials yet? What's the estimated total cost to this point? How much does your installer want to do it again or what would he estimate a typical shop would charge to do this job if parts were supplied by the owner?

I dont know what the final damage is going to be, all I know is I paid way less than it would have cost me to screw around with the AT.. Even though my level 10 trans still shifted fine, it was in sorry shape..

I have all my receipts and if you're interested, I'll email them to you. Im not going to post up what I paid for this swap because I paid WAYYYYYY less than this guy would ever dream about doing it for again..

Also, the money is not really a big issue as far as the parts go, the labor to get this done right is astronomical. I'll let JP chime in to how much time he put into this, but I'd wager close to 100 hours over the course of 2 weeks, maybe more? I figure Im going to put another 4-6 hours into making everything perfect with the shifter and wiring.. Figure how much time an average shop takes to do a 5 speed swap on a Z32 and double or triple the amount of time because so many things have to be custom fabricated.

JP did an absolutely fabulous job with fabricating everything... I told him to not worry about shifter console and wiring because I can do that stuff myself, and I was antsy to get the car back!!! ..

Heres the bottom line, and I know JP would agree with me. This swap cannot be done by anyone and your typical shop will not have the skills or patience to do this..

Id say if you wanted to do this, plan on it costing anywhere from 3000-5000.

Quote, originally posted by maxnix »

I do wonder with collapse original mototrmounts and an addtional 1" deflection on the 3rd motor (transmission) mount how long the U joint on the driveshft will last? Wonder if the OEM coupling might have been better? This is precisely the samce reason FWD cars use CV adn not U joints on the half shafts. Greater deflection there, but principal is still the same. maybe the only way to do it right is to cut and weld a larger cavity into the transmission tunnel to maintain correct alignment?

Motor mounts were in good shape, and have about 6 years, 60k miles on them, along with the trans mount..

I anticipate the U joints to be fine, not to mention mine are rebuildable 1310 U joints unlike the factory. Ive had an aftermarket driveshaft on my car for the last 3 years or so, and it had that front U joint instead of the flex coupling. my driveshaft was done by powertrain industries (but lengthened by a local shop for the swap)

From what I understand its desirable to have a little bit of angle in the driveshaft because it keeps the U joints lubricated..

Like I said before, this isnt for everyone!!!

Keith, I still have the 3.54 gear in my car.

ALSO, note that I havent even began to think about installing an E brake!!!



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: Johnny Rocket at 7:14 AM 3/16/2009

Wes installed more gear in his car via the trans....11.36 Starting ratio

Anytime you get lose to 12 to 1 thats about optimum for a street car.

I forgot his first geat for the auto? about 2.50? If so

he had about 8.85 ratio before....

thats numerically not exact because the torque convertor does mutiply gear as well.

My Q has a numeric ratio of around 12 to 1.....4.37 times the 2.75 first gear so Wes is not far off from this gar ratio.

He said it felt fast...........same ting I have been saying........these cars need gear and although he did not do it in the rear he did it in the trans which is even better because he still has a good highway gear.

As far as the ujoints are concerned I would not be concerned about them unless there is a vbration........drive it and enjoy it.......I might be inclined to check the angles with an angle finder from stock atutomatic to the stick juts to see what you did...

The 1310 joint although not the gorrila joint a 1350 series is its more than needed for these little engines.

They are self lubricating so I am not sure what the angle has to do with anything...

Post Title: Re: (Johnny Rocket)
Posted by: Johnny Rocket at 7:18 AM 3/16/2009

Good job and I hope you dont have any wheel hop...thats going to be interesting and after you work out the bugs I would be curious about speedshifting and how that works out.

Also I would be up for a drag race at the local drag strip...be interesting comparison with both cars having the same starting line advantage

Good job guys and I hope yo enjoy it!



Post Title: Re: (Johnny Rocket)
Posted by: elwesso at 9:24 AM 3/16/2009

I have a little vibration I need to get rid of, i think shimming the carrier bearing should take care of it.



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: Paul Wall at 9:32 AM 3/16/2009

But thanks for making me do one more thing to my car (add a 5 speed) or at least a double clutch tranny or paddle shifters with the TCU that goes to it.



Post Title: Re: (Paul Wall)
Posted by: Peterofdevon at 10:07 AM 3/16/2009

you are THE man!

P.



Post Title: Re: (Peterofdevon)
Posted by: Ludeaem at 10:14 AM 3/16/2009

I've never even thought of using the E-brake on my truck during driving - but it's an interesting idea.

Heath



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: Ludeaem at 7:29 PM 3/16/2009

I'm working up numbers now on how much it's gonna cost for me to do it again. Most of it is just gathering the piles of parts that I had to measure out for the fit, for this swap I didn't think it would be a big deal to get the tranny for Wes, turned out to be a big hassel. Not Wes's fault but if someone was interested in hunting down the list of parts, and buying the adapterplate and special bolts from wes, I could actually get it down pretty quick and relitivly affordable. Lord knows I'd rather be doing fab/custom work any day than working on the other rusty junk that comes around here anymore because everyone in michigan's uber-broke. But it's a big laundry-list of parts.

I did do this job for wes at a discount, but I've known him along time and was pretty sure he wasn't going to screw me over, and feel we were helping each other out. I needed to pay bills, he wanted a kick-azz ride. Done deal.

If people have questions about prices, AIM me. Otherwise post your questions about this swap here so I don't have to answer the same questions repeatedly, and so the other people can see.
I've done all kinds of swaps and I'll make anything you can dream.
I've got some luny nissan projects I'd like to build for a lucky someone (with money) at a Wes-like discount.

Thanks for the compliments by the way, and this took me around 142 hrs in two weeks including the parts chasing, but not including going to class. Got a little outta-it near the end, but it's done now.
Here's pictures of the build, they're in there, just scroll down:
http://s151.photobucket.com/albums/s143/sishinthin/



Post Title: Re: (Johnny Rocket)
Posted by: MinisterofDOOM at 9:46 PM 3/16/2009

Quote, originally posted by Johnny Rocket »

: 3.214 2: 1.195>>>>>This cant be correct 3: 1.302 4: 1.000 5: 0.752

You're right, it was a typo. It's really 1.925. Post has been fixed.

Quote, originally posted by Jesda »

While there aren't many hills in Indiana, how do you manage hills without a hand-operated parking brake? The first-generation CTS had a manual transmission that a lot of people skipped because it had a foot parking brake like the Q.

That seems nonsensical to me. Hand-operated park brakes are a relatively new thing. People got by just fine in the decades before handbrakes when manual transmissions were the ubiquitous drivetrain format.
The people who avoided the CTS for that reason are probably the same dipoars I see smoldering their clutches at stoplights by rocking back and forth incessantly throughout the duration of the red. Learn to drive or go buy a Camry.



Post Title: Re: (Q451990)
Posted by: Jesda at 10:01 PM 3/16/2009

Its a trick I learned living in the pacific northwest. And for various maneuvers, like throwing the rear around in the snow, you get more control by having it within easy reach for better control and modulation.

We had some terribly annoying 45-degree angle streets. Stalling and rolling backwards was dangerous, even for seasoned drivers, so folks grabbed their e-brakes for temporary additional support while stopped on an incline (usually while waiting for someone to turn).

Quote »

The people who avoided the CTS for that reason are probably the same dipoars I see smoldering their clutches at stoplights by rocking back and forth incessantly throughout the duration of the red. Learn to drive or go buy a Camry.

The people who can drive who preferred a manual but wanted a sporty luxury sedan simply purchased a BMW or Infiniti G. The 6MT G37 moves the parking brake from the foot area to a center console handle.

Anyway, it seems the VH45 has enough low-end power to take off easily. I do like Nissan clutches!



Post Title: Re: (MinisterofDOOM)
Posted by: jimbyjimb at 4:44 AM 3/17/2009

Virtually all European cars had them from the late forties on.

Modified by maxnix at 7:21 AM 3/17/2009



Post Title: Re: (jimbyjimb)
Posted by: MinisterofDOOM at 6:18 AM 3/17/2009

Quote, originally posted by jimbyjimb »

That may be true but if you've ever seen downtown Seattle, or almost any city in western Washington, you'll understand Jesda's point. It's almost suicide here to attempt driving a stick in heavy downtown traffic without a handbrake. This is an unfriendly territory for clutches.

Heh, I live on a mountain. I drove a manual 2wd pickup for years, including delivering pizza all over the mountain for about a year...though all extremes of weather. I was just fine with a foot-operated e-brake.

Honestly, one of the first things I realized when I started driving the Q after the Maxima was just how much more I prefer foot brakes to hand brakes. I never noticed in my Caddy or Ford because they both had bench seats, but with a center console that's free of a brake handle, the benefits are clear to me.

Quote, originally posted by sishinthin »

What kinda e-brake would be the popular choice?

One type to consider if getting rid of the e-brake pedal is most convenient is the pistol-grip style e-brakes like you find in 90s Toyota and Nissan pickups. I really like that style as well. It's still out of the way of the center console but also out of the way of the clutch pedal.
I can't find any pictures to show what I'm talking about, unfortunately.



Post Title: Re: (Jesda)
Posted by: Q451990 at 7:50 AM 3/17/2009

Ahh... snow! I forgot about that. We just stay home the one or two days a year it happens around here

Quote, originally posted by MinisterofDOOM »

One type to consider if getting rid of the e-brake pedal is most convenient is the pistol-grip style e-brakes like you find in 90s Toyota and Nissan pickups.

I'll try to get a picture for you today - my truck has one.

Heath



Post Title: Re: (Jesda)
Posted by: dusred at 8:09 AM 3/17/2009

Solution: Diesel Power.

Just kidding.

The hand break might be nice if you live where me and Chris do (in the Rockies) but if you know what you're doing I don't think it would be that big of a deal driving without one.



Post Title: Re: (MinisterofDOOM)
Posted by: Raxephon at 9:26 AM 3/17/2009

Is this it?

Post Title: Re: (MinisterofDOOM)
Posted by: jimbyjimb at 9:31 AM 3/17/2009

Hell, a steep inclined exit from a parking lot can be enough to make it a PITA.

Rax, he means the t-handled brake on the right side of the steering wheel (beneath the ignition) like most Hardbody pickups had.

Wes, get the handbrake squared away... it'll be worth it.



Post Title: Re: (AZhitman)
Posted by: elwesso at 8:03 PM 3/17/2009

Wouldn't be the Q forum without nitpickers.



Post Title: Re: (Q451990)
Posted by: MinisterofDOOM at 9:40 PM 3/17/2009

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.

Quote, originally posted by Q451990 »

That is true. Maybe we're still in shock!

I think you're right.



Post Title: Re: (MinisterofDOOM)
Posted by: Paul Wall at 10:09 PM 3/17/2009

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

Post Title: Re: (Ludeaem)
Posted by: mcrews at 2:57 AM 3/18/2009

Quote, originally posted by Ludeaem »

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!



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: mcrews at 3:00 AM 3/18/2009

spoken like a moderator with a well-trained flock



Post Title: Re: (mcrews)
Posted by: elwesso at 6:31 AM 3/18/2009

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.



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: Johnny Rocket at 7:03 AM 3/18/2009

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



Post Title: Re: (Johnny Rocket)
Posted by: elwesso at 7:08 AM 3/18/2009

Are you speaking of my 5-speed conversion or the rb swap midnight did?



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: sishinthin at 7:56 AM 3/18/2009

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



Post Title: Those That Know (jimbyjimb)
Posted by: maxnix at 8:05 AM 3/18/2009

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..




Post Title: Re: (Q451990)
Posted by: elwesso at 8:17 AM 3/18/2009

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!!!



Post Title: Re: Those That Know (maxnix)
Posted by: sishinthin at 8:20 AM 3/18/2009

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.



Post Title: Re: (AZhitman)
Posted by: MinisterofDOOM at 8:28 AM 3/18/2009

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



Post Title: Re: (Q451990)
Posted by: elwesso at 8:41 AM 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.



Post Title: Still Waiting (AZhitman)
Posted by: maxnix at 10:38 AM 3/18/2009

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.



Post Title:
Posted by: AZhitman at 10:41 AM 3/18/2009

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.



Post Title: Re: Those That Know (Raxephon)
Posted by: maxnix at 10:51 AM 3/18/2009

Quote, originally posted by Raxephon »

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

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?



Post Title: Re: (AZhitman)
Posted by: maxnix at 10:54 AM 3/18/2009

Reminds me I have to go see Craig's 450ZX conversion soon.

Modified by maxnix at 11:26 AM 3/18/2009



Post Title:
Posted by: Jesda at 1:38 PM 3/18/2009

I'm on to you, my friend.



Post Title: Re: (Jesda)
Posted by: Rex at 1:42 PM 3/18/2009

I think he's got some interior shots in one of his videos

Quote, originally posted by Jesda »

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.



Post Title: Re: (Rex)
Posted by: Jesda at 3:07 PM 3/18/2009

I'm still shocked by the awesomeness of this project.



Post Title: Re: Those That Know (maxnix)
Posted by: elwesso at 4:11 PM 3/18/2009

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!!



Post Title: Re: (Rex)
Posted by: elwesso at 4:14 PM 3/18/2009

Thats sorta the idea that I had in my mind.. Where it would sit right next to the seat.



Post Title: Re: (Q451990)
Posted by: qsiguy at 4:19 PM 3/18/2009

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...



Post Title: Re: (qsiguy)
Posted by: Paul Wall at 5:08 PM 3/18/2009

Gee I wonder Wes why it runs like hell? Does the new gear ratios that are mutiplying the torque have anything do do with it?



Post Title: Re: (Raxephon)
Posted by: Johnny Rocket at 6:35 PM 3/18/2009

The picuture in this thread.....what are those pedals?



Post Title: Re: (Johnny Rocket)
Posted by: elwesso at 6:50 PM 3/18/2009

That's a decent block diagram Paul but the diagrams on page AT-38 and AT-39 are a little more complete and show wire colors.



Post Title: Re: (qsiguy)
Posted by: Paul Wall at 11:36 PM 3/18/2009

I would rec this.

Vibes are a huge problem on modified Mustangs and most of the time is a change in the pinion angles (lowered cars). It doesn't seem to matter how big the difference is but rather that the angle between the tranny tailshaft and diff is 90 degrees.

Another thing you might try (if you haven't already) is to add the stock auto tranny vibration dampner. The two biggest improvements I made to reduce driveline vibes on my 91 LX 5.0 were adding power seats (no mechanical connection between seat frame and body) and adding a tranny dampner from a Mazda Millenia to the rear of the tranny which consisted of a huge hunk of metal that was heavy as hell and a rubber cube.

Trust me on this though-you will want to get rid of that vibe b/c it might drive you crazy-kind of like a imbalanced tire.

Also, what changes would need to be made to adapt this to a 97+ car...



Post Title: Re: (qsiguy)
Posted by: elwesso at 5:55 AM 3/19/2009

Well if thats the case, wouldnt simply removing the TCU do the same thing?

Andy, basically everything for the 97+ car would need to be different. You'd need to make your own VH41 adapter plate (bolt pattern is different), im sure the pedal arrangement and shifter position might be similar, but its a shot in the dark.. You're also going to have a TON more issues (so much that it may not even make it worth it?) with the ECU being OBDII.. you cant fall back on the info for people with OBDII cars with MT's offered in them because all they do is wire things up and switch the ECU's to a MT version.. cant do that on a Y33 because never offered it and also you cant reprogram the ECU at all.

In my case, the hard part was the mechanics about it.. In the Y33 case, the electronics are almost going to be insurmountable.

Youll notice on picture (7?) that im using the stock AT crossmember with those brackets to adapt it.. So, im using the stock AT tranny mount (insulator) that you speak of...

Post Title:
Posted by: AZhitman at 7:25 AM 3/19/2009

Wes, I'm sitting here reminiscing about the first time I met you... dorky 16-year-old with more guts and balls than money.

I knew you'd do something awesome like this, but never had any clue you'd be pioneering something THIS big for the community.

*sniff* I'm so damn proud... *sniff*



Post Title: Re: (AZhitman)
Posted by: elwesso at 11:03 AM 3/19/2009

So when are you gonna produce finished plates for the rest of us? Learning that you used the AT crossmember and a lengthened Q45 driveshaft could be used has shortened my parts-checklist! All I need is a starter and clutch kit! Oh, and of course, an adapter plate!!!



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: AZhitman at 11:18 AM 3/19/2009

May I?

Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: qsiguy at 11:57 AM 3/19/2009

Probably, I'm just not sure if removal of the TCU will have other ramifications. There may be a few other systems that are receiving some signals from it like the ECU.



Post Title: Re: (thejapino)
Posted by: elwesso at 12:11 PM 3/19/2009

Take spares with you
tires
clutches
etc



Post Title: Re: (Rex)
Posted by: elwesso at 1:05 PM 3/19/2009

Now I just need to get the automatic drive positioner to work and also the memory seats. For a rainy day...



Post Title:
Posted by: MR. Q at 10:13 AM 3/20/2009

He's gonna your Q!



Post Title:
Posted by: Carl H at 2:39 PM 3/22/2009

If he really wants his car to rip he will get that 4.08 gear in that car......he is such a pansy when it comes to that rear gear!



Post Title: Re: (Johnny Rocket)
Posted by: jmankill at 2:29 AM 4/6/2009

Ive mocked up 2 shifter surrounds using a manilla folder. Please note my cutting skills suck and all the edges would be rounded... I also didnt install the boot because i need a new one anyway.

The major problem is that the shifter is very biased toward the passenger side for whatever reason...

Option 1- Make the hole symmetrical about it (and only use the right side of the hole) and put 3 of the door window switches at the top of the console...

Option 2... Use the right hand of the bezel for the shifter and the other side put the factory 94 Q window switches in place next to each other..

Im kinda leaning toward the second option the more I think about it..



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: MinisterofDOOM at 8:18 AM 4/7/2009

I would like to see center console window control with the window lock relocated to the top or bottom of the shifter surround.



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: thejapino at 2:16 PM 4/7/2009

On the stock shift knob the shift rod actually goes inside the knob, which makes it sit way low. Using a different shift knob allows the shift knob to sit right on top of it.

You could probably bend the shifter over if you wanted to, but I really dont see a reason to. I really dont have an issue where it is.. Maybe someday i'll do it, but not right now.

I really dont think either surround is going to be difficult to make, i dont see either one being harder to make than the other, which is why I asked for an opinion... I think the second option would look more factory, and also I could easily install gauges up at the top of the shifter later (another reason to go that route).. Coolant temp gauge and oil pressure would be cool.



Post Title: Re: (elwesso)
Posted by: qship96 at 3:49 PM 4/7/2009

And I don't see the reason for a second yet more accurate coolant temp gauge, it wouldn't look right in my opinion.

Do you still use the tranny cooler for your M/T?

I would like some day: Oil pressure and temperature, transmission gauges.



Post Title: Re: (Paul Wall)
Posted by: elwesso at 4:36 PM 4/7/2009

YOU ARE PURE PSYCHO MR. STINSON!

But that's cool, because you use your powers for good.

Or for evil, depending on how ya look at it.

Anyway, great job on the project.

Danisiti 1




Post Title:
Posted by: qsiguy at 8:22 PM 4/7/2009

Ooh, I really like that idea. I'd love to have accurate and cleanly installed oil pressure and coolant temp gauges.



Post Title: Re: (MinisterofDOOM)
Posted by: NSR_G50 at 7:44 AM 4/8/2009

You should get a skull shifter! It looked great in the Seville. Your Q is pure evil goodness now.



Post Title: Re: (Jesda)
Posted by: elwesso at 1:45 PM 4/8/2009

All I used was a piece of cedar paneling i had left over from when new paneling went up in my closet... Im going to put some veneer or something along those lines to match the factory color scheme... then varnish it so it looks factory..

still, turned out really good. Fits really good, and when its done ill post more in-depth pics but for now...

Post Title:
Posted by: Jesda at 10:22 AM 4/9/2009

I think I would do black vinyl/seudo leather as well. Padded or not, if not, you'll just need to sand/finish the wood really well so it doesn't show any imperfections. If you leave it wood and it doesn't match it will stand out like a sore thumb.

The OEM switches may be difficult to mount in that board. Do you have a plan for that?



Post Title: Re: (qsiguy)
Posted by: elwesso at 7:13 PM 4/10/2009

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