1994 Q45 6speed swap

[6speed Q45]

Hi all, I'm new to the Q world but I've got big plans for the next few years and I'm pretty determined so you can expect to see more of me. I have been given the opportunity to purchase one of close friends 1994 Q45, it is all in pergevt running order aside from what I am positive is 1 bad injector. The car had around 120k miles and is navy blue with tan leather interior.

My plan for this car? It will be used for hauling me and my friends around in comfort on long highway journeys too car shows and events etc... First order of business will be to install a z33 transmission(07 and up is the revised designs correct?). The body is in decent condition with a bit of rust developing on the rear quarters. To remedy this I'm planning on stripping the paint and fiberglassing/filling the area and sealing it followed up by vinyls wrapping the car in a silver metallic. In the process of this I would also like to add a BMW style rear lip and delete the antenna in favor of a shark fin style antenna. Later down the road I would like to make a custom exhaust setup with cutouts and perhaps a twin turbo setup? As we'll integrate an iPad into the dash(not sure how the HVAC controls are in the vehicle(manual or electronic?). Also I would like to firm up the suspension.

I've seen some decent parts lists but I need help picking the best combination of parts for me particular goals. From the research I've gathered here is the current list for the transmission swap.

Z33 6speed with Z33 3rd member for taller 6th gear to obtain better mpgs on the highway.(would like more info here)
Z32 flywheel(can I go lightweight?)
Z32 starter
Z32 brake and clutch pedal(or pathfinder/240, which is best)?
Z32 master cylinder and resivour
Stainless braided line to the slave
Jump the the neutral and drive wires from the old automatic wiring harness
Adapter plate from 1uzswaps
Custom made drive shaft
350z clutch plate and pressure plate? Or 300zx? Would like a setup that could handle 500hp.

Additionally has anyone managed to get the speedometer calibrated correctly? Is it possible to have functioning reverse lights? I don't see why not personally.

Thank you in advance to whomever responds, I'm going to try my best to make the most definitive abs detailed guide to swapping these cars.

[elwesso]

Welcome to NICO!

Looks like you've got a pretty ambitious project going on. The manual trans Q is a great vehicle, my Q has about 230k miles on it (almost 100k on the manual swap) and it was great...

To cut to the chase, I believe the Z32 and Z33 transmission has the same spline pattern on the input shaft in the trans. Don't quote me on that, but I think so. In that case, you'd be able to use a complete Z32 or Z33 trans. In either case, you'll want to match the pressure plate to whatever flywheel you use, and whatever clutch disk to the transmission...

I'm not sure what you're talking about with the Z33 3rd member? a 2009 trans has 0.794:1 6th gear, as does the 2003 trans.... The Z32 trans has 0.752:1, and the stock Q45 has 0.694:1. On my setup, despite the higher gear ratio with the Z32 trans, I noticed a slight increase in MPG. With the Z33 trans, I'd expect a wash at best..

At 70MPH, stock Q45 will be running about 2200 RPM.. With a Z32 trans, about 2300 RPM, and for a Z33 about 2500 RPM, so it's not a huge difference.

I don't usually recommend the lightweight flywheels on these swaps, primarily because I've seen a lot of people have issues getting them to work right.. Not really sure why, but that's the way it is... I use a stock flywheel on mine from an N/A. Another thing is a lightweight flywheel will have a lot less effect on a V8 than a V6, I4 or I6 because the flywheel is a much smaller percentage of the total rotating mass.. Therefore, I don't think it's worth the hassle.

I used a Z32 brake pedal and a pathfinder clutch pedal... It really doesn't make a whole lot of difference what pedal you use as long as it's from a Nissan because you're going to have to modify the crap out of it to get the pedals to end up where you want. By using a Nissan part the master cylinders will bolt up fine, so less work there.

I use one of those little Dakota digital speedo calibrators.. It was about $100, I hooked it up right where the speed sensor comes into the car, and it's worked great... Really easy to use. My reverse lights also work.

You will definitely have to re-work the exhaust manifolds some, mainly removing the pre-cats.. Even then, the exhaust goes very close to the starter on the passenger side...

People have a tendency to trivialize how much work this really is, and I think it'd be worth a close look to see if it's really worth it... An automatic transmission with a shift kit and torque converter is a heck of a lot of fun, and the performance is pretty much on par with the manual trans..

I also have done nothing to have an E-Brake. I live in Indiana, so I don't worry about parking on hills. An E-brake would be basically impossible to do and make it look correct.

[Brew Q]

Personally I'd use one of these for your clutch pedal, should save you some time... and just get the compact Wilwood the product info references

Driveshaft - see below...

http://www.xcessivemanufacturing.com/Bi ... =4&pid=338



Aluminum sport driveshaft - $435 w/ free shipping and these guys are damn good at what they do, but I'd double check with them 3.5" aluminum works for your 500hp goal
As soon as mine shows signs of dying I'm upgrading to this:
http://www.driveshaftspecialist.com/Alu ... 0Alum.html

[6speed Q45]

Okay I'm back! THANK YOU Elwesso for the clear and detailed response I was hoping I could bait you of all people into a response! A lot of the information I gathered was from your swap thread. Alright back to business...

So as of right stock for stock the z32 transmission is the better option for me.... the whole third member thing, well I guess people call differentials third members in other parts of the world... who knew? Haha, obviously not us Indiana folk(also from Indiana, NW). But I did a search on the 350z forums and apparently PAR Engineering does custom gear sets so I sent them an email inquiring about a custom 6th gear. If they could hook me up with something that would put me at like 1500-1800 in 6th, that would be amazing! I don't see that being to rough on a big torquey v8? I wouldn't even be accelerating in this gear just getting to my highway speed with 1st-5th and then shifting into 6th. So we'll see what they say, who knows might not even be possible, transmissions are still uncharted territory for me.

Also on one of the build threads the guy kept sending out transmissions too get milled? Why wouldn't i have to do that? Or why did he have too.

Oh before I forget what sort of rear end does the Q have, LSD or what?

So stock z32 flywheel, is there any major differences between the non turbo, and turbo flywheel?

Pedals, definitely going to go with that Wilwood setup brew Q suggested! Looks amazing, easy to install, quality brand, and even affordable!

Also the drive shaft setup would be sweet! all I would need to do is give them a length measurement pretty much?

When you say I'm going to have to rework the exhaust what all does this include? No one makes aftermarket exhausts for this car so will I be having to weld up something myself? If so not really a big deal, been wanting to learn how to weld anyways, I don't see a better excuse to buy a welder haha.

Ive driven stick for lets see 4-5 years now? The Eclipse e brake doesn't hold, the Miata's works but I never really use it. The only time I'd say it's of any use to me is when I am sitting in a driveway that's slopped waiting for someone with the car running. If I'm stopped on a hill I just slip the clutch while I move my foot from the gas to the brake not really a big deal... though Ive always thought installing a hydro e brake on something would be cool, maybe later....

[elwesso]

Personally for me I'd just stick with the Z32 trans. They're cheap, easy to find, I sell an adapter that works for one, and overall it's pretty un-complicated. With such a wide torque band, I really don't think the 6-speed is that necessary, especially if you were thinking turbo. With boost, the Z32 trans has a lot more power,and you'll appreciate the slightly longer gears in the Z32 trans.

If you get my Z32 adapter plate you don't have to modify the trans at all. If you use the mazworx plate, you'll need to machine part of the trans, and if you use the xcessive plate you have to use a big spacer behind the flywheel (not always a good idea). I've run my plate for about 80k miles no issue.

The Q has a 3.54 VLSD..

Yes the N/A and TT flywheel are different. Really you want to match the clutch, flywheel, and trans for best results, otherwise you have to modify things..

The problem with the wilwood setup is you'll still have to modify the pedal.. you have to take the stock E-brake out, and put the clutch pedal where the E brake was. In order to get the pedals where you want it, you'll have to bend it.

The driveshaft is easy, any driveshaft shop will be able to make one for you. I've had good luck with "shaftmasters" (they're a NICO sponsor).. The nice thing about teh Z32 setup (not sure if the Z33 is this way) but the input yoke is the same on the Z32 and the Q, therefore you just need the driveshaft about 6" longer.

The main thing about the exhaust is the manifolds where the pre-cats are. You'll have to take the exhaust manifolds out (PITA), cut out the pre-cats and weld in a new tube.

I always thought an electric E-brake tucked up under the car would be nice... Lots of the newer GM cars and others have them, would make installing way easier.