Starter Information Thread

[tmorgan4]

In-case anyone had high hopes like I did, a Q starter WILL NOT work with the Z32 flywheel! I got my transmission back from Mazworx hoping to use the Q starter, but it sits too far forward on the engine by 1/4" for the teeth to contact the flywheel gear. This is extremely frustrating since I now need to find a Z32 transmission to send to Mazworx.

[mtcookson]

I wonder if you can modify the starter or the starter "flange" to make up for that 1/4" difference...?

[SSDwellah]

I think I have a spare 300ZX N/A Automatic starter (they are probably all the same between TT, AT, MT, etc... but giving the details just in case. If I still have it, it's used and just taking up space so I'll let you have it for S&H costs as a friendly Nico holidaygesture. Let me know if you actually need it. Otherwise I might just resell it.

[tmorgan4]

I would love to get the starter from you! I'll send you an email as soon as I'm done typing this. I didn't realize they were almost $300 for a remanufactured one.

Tracking down the front case of a Z32 is proving to be a pain. I called Z1 Motorsports today, they have what I need, and they'd sell me one for $100, but it will take them "A FEW WEEKS" to pull it.

I need one NOW. This is holding up the whole damn project.

And mtcookson, I did spend a lot of time trying to come up with a way to modify the starter flange, the block, or even machine the flywheel so it sits closer. I'm sure it can be done, but by the time I do all of that crap I still have cut a giant chunk for the Q starter to clear my transmission and I might as well get the "right" bellhousing. I may look into other options when I can't find one.

[SSDwellah]

My car used to be an A/T and I'm not sure if I threw the trans away yet (it was TOTALLY smoked) but if I still have it, it's yours too. Shaped metal is more costly than scrap. No promises though, as I am pretty sure I tossed it

[T45]

Dude if it's just 1/4" too far towards the front but lines up perfectly on the circumference of the flywheel I would definately make it work versus spending more money on trans stuff.

I'm sure you could take either the starter or the block, or even both and have some material machined off them to make up 1/4". You can probably even do it yourself.

I'm gonna go have a look in my garage and see what I can come up with.

[T45]

Allright, I went and looked at my old Q starter and a chunk of the engine block I hacked off to make the Z starter fit.

It appears that you will have to take 1/8th off of each to get the 1/4 that you need.

But do you need 1/4 inch to make the gears just barely engage or will that 1/4" give you 3/4-full engagement of the gears?

I'm pretty good with my hands so I would tackle it myself. I would get a nice flat flap wheel and start surfacing. On the block I would periodically spray the surface with some spray paint and then hit it with a nice flat hunk of metal wrapped in sandpaper to show me the low and high spots. Repeat as long as necessary to get a nice flat mounting surface. Scribing a line around as much of the block as possible to show me when I'm there.

On the starter I would probably do the same only I would scribe a line 1/8" or so all the way around it and keep going until the line disappeared.

It's not rocket science, it's just a starter. You will have to be pretty damn far off to get alignment issues. It's possible but if you take your time it should be pretty easy, just time consuming.

If you aren't the handy type, damn you picked the wrong engine swap to do! lol But a machine shop should be able to take 1/8-3/16 off the starter for you no problem. The only issue I found is the solenoid but it's just a cover to it so you may be able to take that out and see exactly how far you can go before you break through the solenoid case. Maybe you can get the full 1/4 on the starter.

I would also seriously look at the 3.3 starter from the truck. Maybe you can make that work too since they both bolt in from the front and the 3.3 uses the vg flywheel so it may work.

[T45]

I was chillin in my car during my lunch break and thought of another solution. Take your flywheel and have it machined to sit closer to the engine. It's plenty thick enough to take off 1/8 or so and then you can make up the rest between the starter and block.

Just a thought.

[tmorgan4]

Hey it's always nice having a second brain thinking up ideas. I did think about doing just about all the different methods you mentioned, but in the end I figured I might as well do it the way the damn thing is supposed to be.

The Q starter was a tight fit since the thing is so damn HUGE. With the engine mounts I built the starter had to be put in before the engine mount was put on. If I ever had the starter go out I'd have to pull the whole engine to replace the starter. It would also require cutting a big piece out of the transmission bellhousing since the arch locations for the starters on the Q vs. Pathfinder transmissions are in different locations.

Next thought was to use the VG starter. I was going to cut the Q starter mount off the block and trim the adapter, but the block interferes by about 1/8" where the starter would sit! The VH is wider and wouldn't clear that VG starter.

I did find the "bellhousing" I need for $65, Mazworx is being awesome and machining the transmission for $70. By the time I had the flywheel machined I'd probably be close to the same cost. It will just be nice having the right transmission like the way the adapter is made for. I also worried that if I moved the flywheel in closer to the engine that the clutch might be spaced out too far to be dis-engaged by the throwout assembly.

It really sucks waiting on the transmission for another 3 weeks (especially since I can't start the engine until it's here ) but it gives me time to figure out my wiring issues and get my steering system built.

[T45]

Yeah that sucks. But you're basically the guinea pig of the vh/vg truck combo so many will benefit from your pain. lol If it's any concellation...

[David Steele]

How about just have a spacer made? Where the starter mounts if it's 1/4 too far forward experiment with washers and make it sit back.

Instead of this major stuff.

Z32 NA 124 tooth

Q45 124 tooth

Z32 TT 125 tooth

[David Steele]

I noticed that my Q45 starter has a wider tooth spacing on the starter then my Skyline GTR starter how is the Z32 starter vs the Q45 tooth width?

[David Steele]

I think I have a spare 300ZX N/A Automatic starter (they are probably all the same between TT, AT, MT.

I just checked all part numbers.

They all have the same part number only thing I noticed is that the ring gear for the TT flywheel is different from the rest.

[SSDwellah]

They all have the same part number only thing I noticed is that the ring gear for the TT flywheel is different from the rest.

Yeah because I think the TT has a 250mm flywheel and the N/A is only 240mm. I think that's why all of the clutch kits are different part numbers.

[T45]

My na starter and tt clutch work fine. They are very tight as I didn't shim them enough but another washer or 2 and I should be good to go.

[tmorgan4]

Hey T45...why'd you go with a TT clutch?

I was tempted to at first since it was bigger, but after talking with Jason @ Z31parts about my DXD clutch, he mentioned that the NA clutch actually has a higher clamp load (rated for more torque) than the TT clutch of the same stage. I found it odd, but I ended up going with the NA clutch (NA Z32 flywheel and 240mm disc).

[T45]

The only reason is that the TT clutch and flywheel have more options and has a bigger surface area. They probably use the same spring pressure in the OEM apps but the aftermarket supports the tt better.

[David Steele]

My na starter and tt clutch work fine. They are very tight as I didn't shim them enough but another washer or 2 and I should be good to go.

What does the starter have to do with the clutch? You mean flywheel, right? TT & NA use the same starter.

The only reason is that the TT clutch and flywheel have more options and has a bigger surface area. They probably use the same spring pressure in the OEM apps but the aftermarket supports the tt better.

They do not use the same pressure plate . The OEM parts ARE different TT vs NA .

[SSDwellah]

By the way, not to thread jack but if someone needs a used OEM NA Z32 flywheel let me know. I'll give you a fair deal just make me an offer. My email address is in my profile.

[T45]

What does the starter have to do with the clutch? You mean flywheel, right? TT & NA use the same starter.

They do not use the same pressure plate . The OEM parts ARE different TT vs NA .

Yes, I used a TT clutch and flywheel. I was referring to the assy as one unit. I used a na trans and tt clutch (assy). I don't think you can use a na flywheel with a tt clutch or vice versa. Even if you could it wouldn't make much sense to.

I didn't say they used the same pressure plate. I said they probably have the same "spring pressure" just a larger contact surface on the TT. That would give the NA clutch more clamping force per inch over the TT clutch.

[David Steele]

Yes, I used a TT clutch and flywheel. I was referring to the assy as one unit. I used a na trans and tt clutch (assy). I don't think you can use a na flywheel with a tt clutch or vice versa. Even if you could it wouldn't make much sense to.

I didn't say they used the same pressure plate. I said they probably have the same "spring pressure" just a larger contact surface on the TT. That would give the NA clutch more clamping force per inch over the TT clutch.

It's not ''I said that you say'' they are just general statements and I'm sure that it's not the same spring pressure a a VG30DET makes alot more tq then it's NA version and that wouldn't feel right (same spring pressure) on the NA VG .

Pressure plate clamping force.Turbo : 800KGNA : 580KG

[T45]

Now that makes sense. Maybe the aftermarket clutch in particular Tmorgan is referring to has more force on the NA than TT.

[tmorgan4]

Now that makes sense. Maybe the aftermarket clutch in particular Tmorgan is referring to has more force on the NA than TT.

Correct! I can't speak for the stock clutches, just the DXD clutches. Jason said that for the same model of clutch I was looking at (Stage 2 - TZ disc) the 240mm version has a higher torque rating than the same 250mm model.

SSDwellah...you have a flywheel too? Man I searched for a week until I found a good one.

[mtcookson]

I see that happen a lot with Z31 clutches (240mm rated higher than 250mm) but with the Z32 clutches I've seen, the 250mm was always rated higher than the 240mm.

[T45]

I didn't know how much 800kg was so I converted it. It's about 1760 lbs of clamping force. That's just insane when you think about it.