I need a manual transmission for a VH engine
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themadscientist
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I need a manual transmission for a VH engine
Stop, turn off the flamethrowers, I know the VH has always been bolted to a slushbox. I just found a junkyard sitting on about five complete VH41s and I would love to drop one into my latest Skyline(yeah #5 of the R32 variety:D ). I don't want an auto and I refuse to believe some clever Q45 owner hasn't come up with a scheme or an aftermarket source made an adapter. any help would be loathed by my wife;)
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themadscientist
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AZhitman
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Okey dokey.
Here's the Cliff's Notes:
Sopdadope tried it, decided too expensive, as bellhousing and plate would have to be fabbed. Since you're using a car that probably came with a 5-speed, you wouldn't have shifter/e-brake/clutch pedal/clutch cylinder placement issues like he did...
Search "bellhousing" . . . Gotta be some posts on it, as others have researched it - Someone went as far as to mock up something IIRC.
Here's the Cliff's Notes:
Sopdadope tried it, decided too expensive, as bellhousing and plate would have to be fabbed. Since you're using a car that probably came with a 5-speed, you wouldn't have shifter/e-brake/clutch pedal/clutch cylinder placement issues like he did...
Search "bellhousing" . . . Gotta be some posts on it, as others have researched it - Someone went as far as to mock up something IIRC.
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themadscientist
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well it would just entail trimming the mounting flange off the auto and welding it onto an RB transmission provided the diameter is close but it would have to be perfectly lined up or the transmission bearings would quickly fail I'm sure. If it comes to it I'll cleave it and weld it in some sort of jig to keep it straight but I would really prefer something more precise. I will get a price for one of the VHes, if it's cheap I'll get it and see what will work. The idea of a big roots blower on a VH just gives me goosebumps.
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SmoothCriminal
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Just a few questions...
1) Where are you located? This is the most important factor, if you're located Stateside, your options are limited. If you're in Japan or Aus I'm sure the VH41 came with a manual transmission in the Leopard (Japanese J30)?
2) Why the VH41 and not the VH45DE? Just curious because although the 41 is more compact and a good 100lbs. lighter, it gives up quite a bit of power to bigger brother.
3) Who's Sopdadope? Maybe he can offer some vital info on this possible swap.
4) Do you plan on keeping it n/a or go with forced induction? I ask this because running a standalone ECU is probably inevitable.
I've spent lots of time in the wreckage yards and to the best of my memory, I remember the 4-spd auto from a '94 300ZX non-turbo and a '95 J30 looking identical, bellhousing and all. These transmission's worked labeled and placed right next to one another and I almost pulled the wrong transmission until I looked at the tags. Again, to the best of my memory they're the exact same transmission - Nissan serial number- RE4R01A. Also, if my memory serves me, this is the same 4-spd transmission used for the 240sx and Pathfinder (both 2wd and 4x4 configurations). I'm 95% certain the 5spd from n/a Z32 will bolt right up to the VH41 engine.
If the early Q's had the same auto transmission as the Twin Turbo Z32 then the transmission is visibly larger (for the higher torque capacity)than the na/J30 transmission as I believe it is the RE4R03A and in short WILL NOT work with the VH41DE motor.
With Nissan's penchant for cross-sharing transmission's and motors and if the Skyline in question is an R32, then I wouldn't be surprised if the VH41DE should fit right in.
But maybe someone with more experience and the correct part numbers can validate my claim?
Please keep us updated on your progress. I'm dying to swap in a VH41DE into my project 240SX, I just need a guinea pig to pave the way!
1) Where are you located? This is the most important factor, if you're located Stateside, your options are limited. If you're in Japan or Aus I'm sure the VH41 came with a manual transmission in the Leopard (Japanese J30)?
2) Why the VH41 and not the VH45DE? Just curious because although the 41 is more compact and a good 100lbs. lighter, it gives up quite a bit of power to bigger brother.
3) Who's Sopdadope? Maybe he can offer some vital info on this possible swap.
4) Do you plan on keeping it n/a or go with forced induction? I ask this because running a standalone ECU is probably inevitable.
I've spent lots of time in the wreckage yards and to the best of my memory, I remember the 4-spd auto from a '94 300ZX non-turbo and a '95 J30 looking identical, bellhousing and all. These transmission's worked labeled and placed right next to one another and I almost pulled the wrong transmission until I looked at the tags. Again, to the best of my memory they're the exact same transmission - Nissan serial number- RE4R01A. Also, if my memory serves me, this is the same 4-spd transmission used for the 240sx and Pathfinder (both 2wd and 4x4 configurations). I'm 95% certain the 5spd from n/a Z32 will bolt right up to the VH41 engine.
If the early Q's had the same auto transmission as the Twin Turbo Z32 then the transmission is visibly larger (for the higher torque capacity)than the na/J30 transmission as I believe it is the RE4R03A and in short WILL NOT work with the VH41DE motor.
With Nissan's penchant for cross-sharing transmission's and motors and if the Skyline in question is an R32, then I wouldn't be surprised if the VH41DE should fit right in.
But maybe someone with more experience and the correct part numbers can validate my claim?
Please keep us updated on your progress. I'm dying to swap in a VH41DE into my project 240SX, I just need a guinea pig to pave the way!
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themadscientist
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well I went to Nissan, all Nismo head gaskets are sold. They aren't making anymore. I have learned one interesting thing from a dude in Hokkaido which I verified with my library of Nissan manuals. VQ30DET pistons are the EXACT same dimensions as VH41 pistons as far as piston pin and barrel dimensions but dished. if they are cheap enough and this project stays in play I will get one of each to verify the pin height and ring pack measurements but it looks like Q owners desiring boost have a ready made piston available from Nissan.
Leopards here come with VGs and all auto. All VHs here come auto as well. Someone metioned the VG flywheel would work, if I can get my hands on the VH engine I have access to an OS twin plate for a 300ZX I can check that theory with.
I want a VH45 but I just found all these VH41s that's why I was going to use that. VH41s are a dime a dozen here but VH45s are hard to find.
To anyone who has pulled a VH head, is the gasket steel?:xfingers
Leopards here come with VGs and all auto. All VHs here come auto as well. Someone metioned the VG flywheel would work, if I can get my hands on the VH engine I have access to an OS twin plate for a 300ZX I can check that theory with.
I want a VH45 but I just found all these VH41s that's why I was going to use that. VH41s are a dime a dozen here but VH45s are hard to find.
To anyone who has pulled a VH head, is the gasket steel?:xfingers
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Cold_Zero
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2005 Nissan Pathfinder
SmoothCriminal wrote:Just a few questions...
1) Where are you located? This is the most important factor, if you're located Stateside, your options are limited. If you're in Japan or Aus I'm sure the VH41 came with a manual transmission in the Leopard (Japanese J30)?
2) Why the VH41 and not the VH45DE? Just curious because although the 41 is more compact and a good 100lbs. lighter, it gives up quite a bit of power to bigger brother.
TMS is in Japan, Okinawa I think. Asking him the method to his madness is kind of like asking the brain surgeon working your head why he needs such a big saw. I think its best just to humor him and nod quietly.
lol