Transmission Option

[Freakazoid]

I run a Nissan Patrol GQ and have got hold of a VH45 to build in. I can also get hold of a 6 speed 350Z box to mate. The problem I encounter is in matching to the transfer case. I recently got under a new Navara/Frontier, the 4L with the 6 speed box and it looked almost identical to the 350Z box. Can anybody tell me if they use the same box or what the transmission numbers are. They might have different ratio's but the same case.

I've asked the question on the truck side as well but hopefully somebody here can help me. The end game is to get the VH in my car.

[T45]

As I understand, the easiest solution is to mate the Q45 auto trans up to your TX10 transfer case. I am not sure if your country has the Q or Cima or something else but the auto behind the VH will bolt up to the TX10. Search for patrol and you'll find some that have been done already. No easy and cheap solution yet for a manual trans.

[SSDwellah]

As far as I can tell this won't work. This is what I have heard.

VQ35HR, VQ40DE, VK45DE all have the same bellhousing bolt pattern on the block.

VQ30DE, VQ35DE all have the same bellhousing bolt pattern on the block (may require interchanging of the upper oil pan on some frankenstein setups to get a perfect bolt hole match)

VH45DE has its own bellhousing bolt pattern.

There is no direct swap in between these categories as far as I have ever seen or heard. Now I am guessing that the 4L you are talking about is the VQ40DE which has a different bolt pattern here in the USA than the "older" 350Z (2003-2006) models before the VQ35HR came out with the different bottom end. Just for completeness sake, the 2007+ G35 sedan (not coupe) has the newer bottom end and thus should bolt on too.

Take this all with a grain of salt and if you have a really nice wrecker yard that will let you compare all of these side by side feel free to take some pics and prove me right/wrong.

[Freakazoid]

I managed to get hold of the VK45 engine side pattern and made a trace of the VH45 pattern. Most of the bolts are the same. One or two on the bottom half seem to be swapped from one side to the other. I cannot confirm this to be exact since I don't have a VK but the source is very reliable. I got the VQ35 pattern from the same source and have managed to get to a adaptor plate design.

The reason I am asking about the Frontier is that at looking from behind it looks similar to the VQ35, but which one I don't know.

Thanks for the info, it makes finding the right parts easier. Is there some source where I can find all the transmission numbers and which engines they came with?

T45: I was seriously thinking of the auto, to the point where I ordered a cut-out one from Japan. But for my needs a auto is going to cook, we do long stecthes in sand, then in mud and then on the rocks. Auto's just seem to cook if you don't spend a serious amount of money on cooling.

As for the models of Nissan, we have never had any version of a V8 Nissan in this country, pity. We actually get a very small range of cars frome each brand.

It definitely looks like the Navara box and transfer is the right way to go. 1st Gear is 4.6 and the transfer case is 2.6:1. Great for rock crawling. If the bolt pattern is similar to the VQ35 then it should be possible to make and adaptor plate.

Thanks again.

[T45]

If you feel comfortable making an adapter then I would suggest the frontier/navara manual trans and transfer case and the VH45.

The easiest route is the auto that fits the VH and use your existing tcase...but you're right, you'll need a lot of extra cooling including fans and some high performance synthetic fluid. It's not impossible though. Just add a trans temp gauge and keep an eye on it. If you don't have sufficient cooling just keep adding more trans coolers and fans until you do. haha A 6 speed does sound sweet tho...

[Freakazoid]

I put my request in for the box and transfer case today. We'll see what comes of it. Meanwhile I need to get the engine cleaned up and rewired. Lot of hours to come.

[darinz]

Sorry I didn't see this sooner or I would have let you know what I'm doing. I have an 89 Patrol with a vh45 in it that I'll be using for winch challenges. I'm using basically the Patrol auto as it is basically the same as the VH's. If you have both then you can bolt it all together from engine to transfere case. By far the easiest way to do it. I've also turboed mine (T04z) so it will have about 550hp. I have cut mine to a ute so have mounted cooler behind the cab with designated fan for the trans cooler and intercooler (PWR water to air).To ake the engine fit with the transfere case in the same place ie no change to drive shafts, you'll need to shift the cab on the chassis. Mine has been shifted back 3" (OK if a ute but not if still a wagon)Wholesale Automatics in Oz do a valve body that will handle 600hp so you should be OK there as that is what I'm just trying to order.Good luck.

[Freakazoid]

Hi Darin

I've been following your build-up on Outerlimits. Thanks for the comments. Unfortunately we can't get any autobox here. GQ never came out with the thing over here. Anyway, I am really getting myself into a whole lot of work but if it does work out it should be quite sweet. I don't mind moving the engine and transmission forward, seeing as I'll have to make up both sets of mounts anyway.

My engine will stay stock excet ofr playing with the ECU. Going from 60kW to hopefully just over 200kw will already be a huge improvement. If i can handle that I'll think of supercharger maybe.

[darinz]

PM me on Outers if you need some ideas.

[Freakazoid]

Thanks