Anlasak's '94 G50 Manual Transmission Thread

[Raxephon]

So, I've been a little busy.Tinkering here and there and just got heavier pieces in the car last night.

This is where I've gotten to so far and will add to this thread as I complete more of the smaller items throughout the vehicle.

Keep in mind this is a partial list and will add more to it later.

-Rebuilt 1995 VH45DE-Rebuilt Z32 5-speed-Re-surfaced Z32 TT flywheel-ACT Stage 4 clutch kit-Mazworx VH/VG adapter-Z32 TT driveshaft-Z32 offbrand short shifter-Z32 M/T brake pedal assembly

And some teaser pics for a start:

[Raxephon]

UPDATE:

Raining here today so couldn't get much done, but what I did is below.

Removed parking brake

Notice the bracket on the firewall and the 2 bolt holes at the top, brackets gotta go

Bracket is out of there

Next comes the footrest, need the clearance for the clutch







A short tale of 2 brake pedals



Brake pedal installed (Z32 bar on Q45 bracket)







That's it for the moment, but will ad more later today after I get back from the meat mechanics office.
Modified by anlasak at 1:58 AM 12/12/2008

[Raxephon]

Here is a brief update, sorry for those that have been waiting.

I am currently awaiting the driveshaft. I decided on a 2 piece verses a single piece drive shaft due to the possibility of excessive vibration









.
Modified by anlasak at 6:23 PM 2/10/2009

[Raxephon]

Number 2

And number 3 as well

[unknown007]

So does the transmission fit and stuff?really wanna see it finished.

[Raxephon]

So does the transmission fit and stuff?really wanna see it finished.

Yes it fits.

At the moment the Z32 shifter appears to be going to sit about 1"-2" further rearward and to the left of the original "centered position" automatic shifter.

But should still clear the original trim bezel that holds the window switches just fine.

Z32 starter will not work if you use the usdm headers since the pre-cats get in the way. I "accidentally" broke one of the pre-cats off when I tried "massaging" it a little to gain some starter clearance.

[unknown007]

so the z32 transmission fits perfectly?a pic maybe?Im really getting into this you dunno how bad i wanna go manual.

[Infinitiguy19]

You must focus your attention to one problem at a time to work more efficintly.

And I have beend uber busy but I will try to get you a pic of the side marker light tommorow.

[unknown007]

Im focused on one thing started it today.I meant ever since i got the car i have been.

[MinisterofDOOM]

At the moment the Z32 shifter appears to be going to sit about 1"-2" further rearward and to the left of the original "centered position" automatic shifter.

But should still clear the original trim bezel that holds the window switches just fine.

That sounds absolutely perfect to me.

I'm REALLY REALLY excited to see this progress. I very much intend to do this to my car...I just need someone else to work out all the kinks first since my Q's daily driver status means I can't afford much downtime. The idea of a 5 speed in my Q makes me go all gooey inside.

[unknown007]

^^^^+1

[Raxephon]

That sounds absolutely perfect to me.

Sorry but no *real* updates today. My hand was acting up again and was having a hard time putting my shoes on this morning, let alone work on my baby.(Got surgery this up coming monday so I'm trying to finish her up before sunday)

Here are a few pics of the uncut shifter passage in the body.

[unknown007]

how much money have you spent so much on this?Trying to get an idea of how much I'd need to save later in the years when i have time to do this and the money.

Thanks looking nice we're all gonna be jealous when your done.

[Raxephon]

how much money have you spent so much on this?Trying to get an idea of how much I'd need to save later in the years when i have time to do this and the money.

'94 Q45 with a blown transmission- $1000<local> Rebuilt VH45DE- $400.00<local> Rebuilt Z32 5-speed- $500.00 (300 trans/200 kit)<ebay> Z32 flywheel & clutch kit - $200<local> Z32 Drive-shaft - $100<ebay> Z32 Short Shifter - $40<ebay> Mazworx VG/VH Adapter- $600 <Mazworx, Orlando> Z32 Clutch pedal Assembly- $50 <ebay> Z32 Brake Pedal Assembly- $50 <ebay> Z32 Clutch Master Cylinder- $47 <local> Z32 Clutch Slave Cylinder- $15 <local> A33 Parking Brake w/cables- $60 <local u-pull> A33 Center Console - $15 <local u-pull> So, at the moment, I'm right around $1100, ($2100 if you include the car itself),.

..... looking nice we're all gonna be jealous when your done.

I certainly hope not.

The whole point of me documenting and detailing this conversion is so that others may do it as well, and quite possibly improve upon the materials and methods that I am currently using/employing. EDITED: To include the sources for the parts

[unknown007]

Lol well to be the first one done with a 5spd swap makes me jealous hahaha.around 1k not bad if you ask me.

[qsiguy]

Oooo, I'll be watching intently... and taking notes.

[thejapino]

(CROWD ROARING) <--all Q45 owners cheering you on!!!

So whats your plan on the precats? I'm kind of dissappointed to find out that there's clearance issues there. My Q is strictly a DD, I never want to 'find a smog guy' again.

[sijoko]

Congratulations on the start of a very exciting project. I'm looking forward to see how you tackle the clutch pedal.

BTW, for anyone considering this swap, don't sweat the pre-cats. The car will still pass emissions with the other cats as long as it's warmed up.

[Raxephon]

Updated second posting with todays progress.

Sijoko, clutch pedal will be my next update, a little later on today.

Just trying to decide how much spacing I want between the clutch and the brake since there is actually more room there than I originally thought.

[unknown007]

make then very close hahaha so when you step on clutch you brake too.lol na make them fair spaced my opinion.Keep it up.

[hannibal]

^ I hate that. Happens every time I drive a Miata...

Awesome project!

I noticed the Z brake pedal has the little tab for the brake light sensors on the right whereas the Q's is on the left. How did you get the Z pedal to work with the Q bracket??

If the plugs on the brackets are the same, wouldnt it be simpler to use the Z bracket and pedal? The bolt holes look the same.

[elwesso]

Are you happy with the brake pedal placement like that? I was not happy at all with it, when I continue my project im going to modify the stock brake pedal.

Clutch pedal IMO is going to need to be modified to fit right...

Did you machine the bellhousing with the plate? Or is the trans sitting back further than it would otherwise?

What are your plans for the driveshaft?

I think the easiest thing to do with the Z32 starter is just to take the precat off and weld in regular pipe there.

Good luck!

[maxnix]

Are you happy with the brake pedal placement like that?

Clutch pedal IMO is going to need to be modified to fit right...

Yeah, I was thinking the G50 pedal would enable esier heel and toeing.

I see your point on the clutch pedal also.

I like sijoko's idea of the GM 6 speed automatic the best (if one could interface a GM TCU), but a 6 speed manual might be worth it for a highway cruiser.

[sijoko]

Rather than moving the brake pedal to the right for better heel-and-toe action, how about moving the accel pedal to the left? Either way, the fix doesn't look too hard. I'm really interested to see how the clutch pedal fits in there.

[sijoko]

I like sijoko's idea of the GM 6 speed automatic the best (if one could interface a GM TCU), but ...........

That would be a nice project. I still haven't found any companies that are making any swap kits for the GM 6l80e/6l90e transmissions.

I did find someone that makes an adapter plate for mating the VH45 with a 4l80e though.

[maxnix]

I did find someone that makes an adapter plate for mating the VH45 with a 4l80e though.

Reeeaaallly?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I like sijoko's idea of the GM 6 speed automatic the best (if one could interface a GM TCU), but a 6 speed manual might be worth it for a highway cruiser.

Not a bad idea if you really want to stay auto and want a beefier, smoother, all around better transmission. 6 gears would go a long way toward eliminating stock Q's "dead zones" too. Is the GM 6 speed auto double-overdrive?

I'm just fed up with automatic transmissions as a whole, though. I'm sick of waiting for the car to keep up with me. Drive with an auto long enough and you start adapting your driving style to the stupid TCU. Don't do things this way or it'll get confused. Do let off the gas here or it'll lurch into gear. Screw that crap. I want the car to do what I want when I want without delay. The only way to do that is with a clutch and a shift lever to row. I know 90s japanese transmissions are far from the best autos out there. Newer ones are much better and American and German ones are even better. I don't care. If I'm going to drive a car for fun (which is what my Q is for) I want a manual.

[unknown007]

[Raxephon]

Are you happy with the brake pedal placement like that? I was not happy at all with it, when I continue my project im going to modify the stock brake pedal.

I am quite happy with the brake pedal placement, it fits me perfectly.

Unfortunately the clutch pedal is being a little finicky with me at the moment. (I'll go into more detail regarding it in my next update)

Did you machine the bellhousing with the plate? Or is the trans sitting back further than it would otherwise?

I am using a Mazworx adapter, which requires machining of the bellhousing.Transmission sits exactly where its supposed to given the size of it.

What are your plans for the driveshaft?

I'm trying out the notion of the front half from a Z32tt and the rear half from a Q45.

If that doesn't work my next option will be the carbon fiber driveshaft off my 6-speed.

And if that falls through, I'll just call up Powertrain Industries and see what they can do for me.

I think the easiest thing to do with the Z32 starter is just to take the precat off and weld in regular pipe there.

That is exactly what I am planning to do. For the moment I have one of those flex-steel tubes from advance auto connecting the pipe.

[elwesso]

The flex pipe is another great idea, great for the jerry-riggers!!

Just to save you some time you cant put a Z32 front half on a Q45 rear half. The Z32 center bearing is smaller and the flange is just different. Your best bet would be to take a stock Q driveshaft and have powertrain industries or some other driveshaft place either make you a custom driveshaft (1 piece) or modify the stock one with the Z32 spline.