Worrying about my Q's transmission

[dareo]

I want to plan ahead for my trans failure, even though hopefully it doesnt happen for years. 1993 Q45, 122k miles for reference.

Q: Can i buy a brand new transmission? If so, are they really expensive?

Q: I like Level 10's stuff, about how much do they charge for a thorough performance rebuild with the billet TQ converter?

Q: Typical reman or rebuilt trannies are expected to last about how long? Assuming oil cooler+synthetic ATF?

Q: If all those options end up too expensive, the VQ30DET from the Y33 is going in my Q. We'll see how hard that one is to put in i guess. Anybody done it yet? i didnt think so.

[rsiwicki]

Cost for me was $3,500 from LevelTen with TC. I really like the LevelTen transmission vs. the OEM as it gives it a much more sporty feel. According to Sam at LevelTen you can bolt up the Y33 transmission to the 90-96 Q45 but I don't know of anybody who was done it. Factory new trannys cost $1,800. Another member found a company similar to LevelTen that is cheaper that they are in the process of trying out, but I think we have at least 3 people with LevelTen and so far so good but only lots of hard miles will tell the truth in the end.

[Q45tech]

Find a 90-93Q with wreck or blown engine where the transmission was recently replaced [oem Nissan rebuilt] for under $1,000.

The problem with buying ahead is you need a core [$500] to swap with dealer to get a remanned unit.

If youy have time to negotiate [become friendly with parts manager] and can get the core to dealer and pickup a remanned .........you might get one for $1700-$2000.

In ATL there are JDM take out companies that have working used for $500.

Planning ahead and buying ahead are obviously two different processes.

[Q45tech]

Factory new transmission for $1800 [?], no factory remanned to near new specs [or maybe better than new in some cases for $1800].

There probably hasn't been a totally new 90-93 transmission made in years. New parts, new cases, new this and that but remann faclity has thousands to chose from to reassemble what is essentially like new by mixing and matching used with old.

The valve bodies are shipped to and remmanned in Japan and reshipped to Tennessee factory for inclusion.

Anyway the remanned are excellant. We must have changed 50 over the years. If they lasted 30 days they seemed to last.

I have one on my Q that has 45,000 miles. I'll bet most changed in the late 90's have at least 75-100k by now.........many of the car failed for other reason [chainguides or wrecks].

[rsiwicki]

I thought the remanned units cost $1,800 from Joe....maybe not? Are they cheaper?

[1992Q45A]

Import trans performance

They will

A. Answer all your emailsB. Guarantee a better product then Level 10C. openly encourage you to check out forums where the work has been tested beforeD. Will tell you level ten is not so well liked in many circles

I'm going with them when i Need a full rebuild

Like I said, level ten has a good rep with some, and not so good with others

There rep with out trannys seems to be great

Either or, you will notice a great improvement over stock shifting.
Modified by 1992Q45A at 6:53 PM 10/1/2004

[Q45tech]

I said $1700- $2000 [freight for out bound and core return plus your credit card till the core is returned].........you have to have the where with all to have $3,000 charges till the credit including ~~ $500 swap.We charge $2900 plus require a cooler install $100 so $3,000 plus tax.

Members forget to save the 2.5-3 cents per mile since new for transmission replacement and transmission maintenance.

Yet they some how cough it up, as in my memory no [Infiniti or Lexus] car was junked for a transmission failure. They all get fixed to some degree.

Starting to see more LS/SC/GS/LX transmission failures but still 1/4 of the ES300 failures........the V6 Camry drivetrain is just not up to extreme longevity.

[dareo]

If the Y33 transmission bolts up, i bet i could make that work. 5 speed automatic G50 baby! That would leave me a turbo V6 to put in the 240sx if i can get a manual trans mounted to it. I would have to try and upgrade if my trans goes out. Level 10, Import Trans Performance or a Y33 trans would be the only way to go.

[mizanq]

" If the Y33 transmission bolts up, i bet i could make that work. 5 speed automatic G50 baby! .....":

The FY33 transmission is (only) 4-speed!

[dareo]

I thought you meant the JDM Y33 Gloria 5sp auto that comes on the back of the VQ30DET.

[mizanq]

No. I was referring to the 4-speed automatic transmission in my FY33 1999 q45. It would be perfect if I could get a strong 5-speed manual transmission in it (when the current trany expires).

The title alone of this thread has restored some of my sanity, as I was going almost crazy worrying about my transmission. It is refreshing to find out that I am not the only one obsessing over the stock Q trany.

I cannot sometime resist the sheer rush of flooring that pedal on my way to my usual left lane crusing speed, or when passing lesser so-called high performance sport cars. But invariably I find myself on a brief guilt trip for abusing the tranmission.

I purchased the car on Ebay in September 2002 with 67000 miles on it. The longest trip in it was when I flu to Dallas to pick it up and drive it back home to Atlanta. The car has now 91000 miles on it. I did do the full fluid exchange at 70000 miles at the dealer (nalley infiniti cobb pwky) before I found out about T3 on NICO (thanks).I had a transmission cooler installed at T3 (S. Cobb) and have it serviced almost exclusively there. I had gone through one clutch every 25k miles on my previous manual speed cars. So I worry about that automatic transmission although I normally do not RACE or otherwise really DRIVE the h$$$ out of the thing. I hope the tranmission will last another 100000 miles, the time to pay off the notes and save the $3000 q45tech recommended for a "new" transmission.

thank you for the thread.

[elwesso]

Miz..... I honestly wouldnt worry about the Q transmission..... Mine at 130k was driven hard, had so so maintenance (first flush around 100-119k) and it still shifted very nicely..... I think I would see signs of it going away... 94 trannies can usually make it to 150-200k no problem...