J30 5 speed swap

[zakman]

Hi guys, first post. I tried searching but I can't find what I'm looking for. I have the opportunity to buy a 93 J30 but I need to be certain about converting it to a 5 speed. Has anyone done a writeup on the 5spd conversion? I'm assuming I'll need:

Z32 300ZX transmissionflywheelclutch300zx or s13/s14 pedal boxclutch hydraulicsfabricated / custom driveshaft?ECU reflash or 5 spd ECU from 300zx

I'd like to hear thoughts or any info you can provide on the swap. I'd like to really make something out of this car but if it's going to be cost prohibitive to swap then I may try and figure something else out.

Thanks

-Matt

[Elisha]

iirc the 300zx uses an 8bit ECU and the J uses a 16bit one.

[drape123]

sounds like a fun project! a 300zx mt ecu will drop right in. or you can get a daughterboard/tune for your 16 bit j30 ecu.

most difficult part will be aligning the clutch pedal. im pretty sure there arent any marks like s13/s14 may take a little longer but definately doable

[yodawill2000]

Wassup Drape !!Where ya been Mang' !

[elwesso]

I dont understand why people are so hell bent on getting the 5 speed ECU. The car will run fine, it MAY throw an AT code but that doesnt concern us at ALL. Sure, if you want to reflash it thats fine, but other than that the car shoudlnt throw a CEL.

The other concern is going to be the E-brake.

[Cscat87]

iirc the 300zx uses an 8bit ECU and the J uses a 16bit one.

1993-1996 non turbo Z's have 16 bit ecus

late 1994-1996 twin turbo Z's have 16 bit ecus

8 bit and 16 bit ecu's should be interchangable though, they are for Z's as the harness is the same. My 94 TT originally had a 16 bit but it has an 8 bit now.

[95-J30tt]

sorry guys for not posting any updates yet, i ran into some family issues for the past while.... it's all good now though... i'll be posting a video of the Jtt in the next couple of days.....

about the ECU thing... if your car is an OBDI (1993-half of 1995) then you will need to swap the ECU (auto or manual will both work if you are dropping in a manual transmission)

you will need to relocate the emergency brake.... find a place for the clutch pedal... run lines to the transmission.... you are also going to run in to some electrical work (wiring harness for the manual is simpler than the auto, but will need some modifications, i would suggest searching a good 300zx website for a writeup).... you will defenately need a drive shaft (auto and manual drive shafts are different) however, after research i found some J30's with the bigger driveshaft (if that is your case, then you wont need a new one, it would fit right in)

the hardest one i would guess would be the relocation of the hand brake, and locating the clutch pedal in a good spot..... other than that, it shouldnt be that hard.... make sure you know a good welder and a machine shop before you attempt such a project.... i asure you that you will need them...

well, i'll think more about it once i get rid of the hang over, i hope this helps, good luck