Question for Q45Tech - Trans Swap

[pbedrosi]

Q45 Tech....from your last reply to me it sounds like I can put a 95Q trans in my 92Q as long as I have the 95 TCU. Speedo is no issue. I'm not worried about accelleration differences.

I'm having a tough time deciding.....I have a 92-93 used trans available from PopPop, but it will require shipping, or I have a 95 within couple of hours drive. Not sure which one I want.

Either one I choose I'm told by PopPop that I should get new TQ. Is there any way a trans shop can a) check out the TQ b) do a bench flush c) rebuild the TQ....not sure where I can get a new TQ.

Thanks for help!

[elwesso]

rebuilt TC's are probably acceptable.... Most TCs are basically the same, so id feel more comfortable to have them rebuild a TC compared to the whole trans...

otherwise, YES a 95 trans will go right in....There may be difference in the torque converter (not a 100% sure) but you can just get the one from the 95 trans rebuilt...

Its best to get a trans that was shifting good and was freshly taken out, and not one that has been sitting for 2+ years.

[maxnix]

Local rebuilds are a crapshoot as they are infrequent. Most don't last very long.

The most cost effective method is to have a Nissan remanufactured one installed by a ASE certified technician, if you can't find an independent Infiniti shop.

Even the big bucks specialty rebuilders like Level 10 have had mixed results for much more expense.

[pbedrosi]

Well, I know the factory reman is the best way. I even get a discount...but I'm on a tight budget, hence the halfass approach. I know it has many pitfalls. Like you said, I'm afraid of local full transmission rebuild, I don't think they see these transmissions in any good numbers around here.

I'll call a local trans shop, I imagine they can get remain TQ's.

I hope my trans issue is not just a TQ....the high pitch pump noise (cavitation) at start up seems to point to something internal to the pump.

Local indep. Infiniti show want $2,900 for used trans swap or $3,000+ using factory reman.

[maxnix]

Local indep. Infiniti show want $2,900 for used trans swap or $3,000+ using factory reman.

Well, that should be an easy decision! Save up and do it right!

Nissan remanufactures the transmissions in TN.
Modified by maxnix at 11:38 AM 10/10/2006

[Q45tech]

JATCO the manufacturer has it's North American manufacturing and remanufacturing facility in Tennessee next door to Nissan Factory.

The key with a Jatco remann is it gets everything it needs and dyno tested before it leaves.

Whereas if a domestic rebuilder needs a hard part he must charge extra and find one. All the old dealer changed cores are returned to Jatco where they are stripped and hard parts are piled up for testing and reuse.

Jatco doesn't rebuild valve bodies in US they are sent to Japan and new/rebuilt units are added to US remans.A Dealer transmission has a new or rebuilt TC, a new or rebuilt valve body and what ever new parts it needs to meet brand new specs until like local rebuilds which cannot match the price for the same quality level nor can local rebuilders test on a transmission dyno.

Most local transmission shops [offer a high cost option] buy units from dealers and charges less swap labor and you still pay $3,000+...............dealers want to replace radiator and ecu to maximize durability.

You should budget 8 years life so the transmission costs you $400 per year just like tires [$400] and brakes [$400] [on a prorated basis] about half the yearly $2500 in M&R from day one brand new car.

[Jberger]

Try calling around to nissan dealers for the 300zx twin turbo auto transmission. It's the same one as the Q and should be a good deal cheaper than your local infiniti dealer. I did the same thing when my 90Q ate it's 2nd transmission and saved thousands over the local dealer. Bought it from a dealer 800 miles away and had it drop shipped for installation.

Given the labor and tolerances involved, you'd be much better off with a factory rebuild than finding one in a yard, installing it and then having to trouble shoot it.

[pbedrosi]

My JATCO contact tells me the Q transmissions are rebuilt in Japan.

It seems like the TCU would be an issue with 300ZX swap..no?

[Q45tech]

Sure he doesn't mean the valve body assembly is rebuilt in Japan and swapped into the refurbed RE4R03A transmission housing in US. The QC stamps are in English for the transmission case. Doesn't make economic sense to ship heavy cores back to Japan then ship back to US ----------but a 7 pounds valve body is quite another thing.

Automatic TT 300zx were pretty rare, a lot more Q45 were sold 90-93 and 94-96 versions.

[lino]

I bought 2 aftermarket rebuild transmissions for 2 previous cars I owned and it was a bad experience in both cases. I will never by aftermarket again. Those shops generally use aftermarket parts that aren't of high quailty. My cars never ran well after those installs. On the other hand, my Mercedes transmission went on my coupe and I had it rebuilt by the head tech for the Mercedes transmission reconditioning center on the side (he's German too). He has been rebuilding Mercedes transmissions for over 30 years. The transmission he rebuilt for me looked better than the factory rebuild and worked as good as new if not better. I learned from my previous experiences and would rather save up and do the job one time the right way. BTW, 3 transmission shops refused to rebuild my Mercedes transmission saying that they can't guarntee the results.

Good Luck

[Q45tech]

When you study the various soft parts contained in the 3 available rebuild kits.....................you wonder about where to find the other 100 parts not included..............or if the case is damaged or worn internally what to do.

Having thousands of defective worn transmissions assures a manufacturer reman facility of a good pile of everything needed. They may Frankenstien it but every is a good part...........luckily the TCU brain is external or the valve body goes back to volume experts with custom test equipment jigs.

In the beginning extra brand new units were sent to US until enough cores piled up to do a reman facility economically.

All about effficiency...............how many RE4R03A a worker does per week.Which is the problem at local transmission shops....how many bad Q transmission do they see in a month or in a year. They just can't get efficient or even good at it.