Z33 Transmission - VH45DE

[Hogg]

Well fortunately for working at Nissan I see a lot of good deals come and go some times.

I could go get a low mileage Z32 Transmission, 5 speed - $100

or I could go through the dealership and get a Z33, 350Z 6 speed - $350

I love the feel of the 350Z shifter and how it shifts, but I dont really want to have to make some massive assembly and shifting S curves etc in order to make it work, anyone think it will fit a little easier or harder than the standard 300ZX transmission?

Thanks!

[gs14racer]

The linkage on the two trannys is more or less the same

[elwesso]

in my opinion, the VH45 doesnt need 6 gears, 5 should be enough.... Just more shifting, I think for daily driving and MOST situations even on the track 5 gears is ample.

[hannibal]

First and second will go QUICK with a Z33 6spd. PLug some numbers in a speed/gearing calculator to get an idea.

I used a 255/40-17 tire, the Z33 transmission, the 240's stock 4.083 rear, and a 7200rpm redline (I think thats JWT's redline).1st hits 7200rpm at 33mph2nd redlines at 55mph

Using a 3.7 rear...1st - 372nd - 60

Hey Wes, whats the redline on the NICO ECU? I think I read 7600rpm?? Any reason it couldnt be used on a swapped VH?

[elwesso]

NICO ECU redline is 7400... On a stock motor thers no reason to rev any higher...

You could most definitely use our ECU on a swapped setup and itd work great, even on a MT setup.

[Hogg]

Sounds good, and I just plug my harness into that? I know jack about ECUs and Wiring harnesses :/

But as hannibal was saying, is there a way to make that more effiecient and get more out of the gears? there isnt much difference between 33mph and 37mph, and 55mph and 60mph... But I assume the 3.7 gear was the 300zx transmission? I am totally clueless here

How to I put my VH45DE into my 240, and make it perform well :P

I have access through Nissan to most of their transmissions and wreckers, other than that Auto-Part is great and I could try to get something from there...

Z32 seems to be the most common, but if I have to shift out of first gear - redline at 37mph... thats really weak to me it sounds like, gears would go by too fast and happen too quickly!
Modified by Hogg at 3:41 PM 4/6/2007

[hannibal]

You can use the rear gear from any R200 diff. 300ZX (Z31 and Z32 NA), S12, s13, s14, S15, Q45's, and J30's all have R200 gears, ranging from 3.545 (1st gen Q) to 4.36 (from JDM S13's I think). You got lotsa options...

I think using a Z32 5 spd and finding a good diff ratio is much easier than fitting a Z33 or other transmission.

As for the ECU, its basically a plug and play job. You would have to wire the engine as normal, but plug the harness into the NICO ECU instead of a stock ECU. Do a search in the Q45 or VH forums to read more about this ECU.

Good luck in whatever you choose!

[Hogg]

So pretty much when I either goto a Part out, or goto a Wrecker... When I take the 300ZXTT transmission, I should also take the differential?

A welded differential wouldnt make this any different would it?

Sorry for me being a noob - but I just started modifying powerplants, always been a fabrication and looks kind of guy, loved horsepower but never knew really how to make it huge... In progress of learning what Nismo can really do!



Thanks!

[hannibal]

The Z32 TT is a larger R230 unit that wont fit into the 240's subframe without extensive modding. You dont necessarily need to change the rear gear. I'd run the stock ratio and only change if you need to. I was just listing cars with the R200 diff to show the available ratios.

The Z32 NA and TT are supposed to have the same trannys. I cant figure out how theyre different. I just know aftermarkter clutches are always listed a different one for NA and TT.

You can weld your stock diff and use whatever ratio you decide on...

[Hogg]

Ok thats cool, but like I dont want to have to go through 3 gears just to get up to school zone speed :/

[mtcookson]

The 6-speed is definitely a close ratio design. The 6th gear is actually a lower ratio than the 5th gear of the Z32 transmission (i.e. revs will be higher, top speed lower, fuel economy likely lower, etc.) Its also supposed to be much weaker than the Z32 5-speed.

The big thing you have to keep in mind is what you're aiming for. Stock, I think the Z32 5-speed is a good match for the VH45. If you're planning on some boost, the Z32 5-speed is definitely the way to go. If you're wanting a high revving normally aspirated setup, the 6-speed could be what you want.

High revving n/a's tend to have a narrow power band in the upper rev range, which is where close ratio transmissions come into play. The closer ratios minimize the rpm drop between gears keeping you better in the power band.

Boosted engines, on the other hand, tend to have a much more broad power band so wider ratio transmission tend to work best in those. I've even seen guys continually make their boosted cars faster and faster by going with a lower ratio rear end, which essentially makes your gearing wider.

Other rear differential options are the Armada R230's. There's a 3.39 and a 2.96 (iirc)... very extreme!

[riu]

The difference between the Z32 TT and Z32 NA transmissions is negligible. the internals are all the same, but the mount for the starter on the bellhousing sits up on a lip on the edge of the bellhousing on the TT, its only a couple millimeters of difference. I doubt that it would be a problem for a VH swap, but i am not entirely sure. For swapping an NA transmission into a Z32 TT it does cause a problem i'm not entirely sure how, but it doesn't work. a TT transmission into an NA Z32 isn't a problem however.

the rear end has a different ratio. if i remember correctly, the NA has a 4.08 rear end and the TT has a 3.69, a common thing that Z32 guys do is a NA rear end swap onto a TT for faster acceleration, however the TT rearend is significantly stronger. a popular option is the Leadergears.com ring and pinon replacement for the TT rearend which gives you a final drive ratio of 4.10

The Z32 transmission has been known to hold up atleast 700 hp stock, and being that the Skyline GTR transmissions are also R230 units, it can likely get as far as 1000hp

The Z33 transmissions limits are not quite known yet however its not expected to go past 550 or 600, certainly strong enough for most builds but I would go with the safer transmission that already has the R&D done for the adaptor plate. I also hear a lot of problems with the Z33 box, i hear that its very notchy and loud. And of course, likely all Nissan transmissions, the synchro's aren't that great.

thats really all that I know about transmissions, and theres probably someone on this board who knows a whole lot more than me about Z32 transmissions that can make some ammendments to this.

[Hogg]

Wow thanks a lot for the help,

So I think I should order a Z32TT transmission, and a Z32 NA Differential?

Its a heap of info, Im just bad at concluding lol

[hannibal]

Great info guys. Thanks!

[mtcookson]

The difference between the Z32 TT and Z32 NA transmissions is negligible. the internals are all the same, but the mount for the starter on the bellhousing sits up on a lip on the edge of the bellhousing on the TT, its only a couple millimeters of difference. I doubt that it would be a problem for a VH swap, but i am not entirely sure. For swapping an NA transmission into a Z32 TT it does cause a problem i'm not entirely sure how, but it doesn't work. a TT transmission into an NA Z32 isn't a problem however.

You pretty much have it right. The mount for the starter on the TT bell housing is slightly different due to the 250 mm clutch setup (N/A has 240 mm). You can make the N/A transmission work on a TT setup by taking a little bit of material off of the inside of the bell housing (you'll likely see the spots when trying to mate the transmission) and you'll likely just have to use a shim for the starter for it to work right with the flywheel. I'm not positive, but from what I understand that's all there really is to it.

[SeanDean]

Check my previous posts to see pictures of how I did the shift linkage on my Z33 trans on a VH41. It feels great, doesnt feel at all like a linkage shifter.

[riu]

Wow thanks a lot for the help,

So I think I should order a Z32TT transmission, and a Z32 NA Differential?

Its a heap of info, Im just bad at concluding lol

you should get a Z32 transmission either TT or NA, it won't really matter. only difference is going to be the 240mm clutch for NA or the 250mm clutch for TT. the internals will be able to handle the same power, which is a whole lot, but you'll have more aftermarket options with the TT clutch. so TT is preferable, but its not a necessity.

Z32 NA differential will work, but its weaker, they may not be able to reliably handle the power you may want to be putting down with the VH, however you could probably get them pretty cheap. It has been known to snap axles with power upwards of 450hp. It will be nice and quick though. If you can afford it go with the TT differential and if you are aiming for top speed, keep the stock final drive, if you are aiming for acceleration, get the LeaderGears.com final drive gear kit to supplement the TT differential.

again the NA transmission is perfectly fine, its just that theres more aftermarket clutches available for the TT.

warning: SHAMELESS PLUG

I do have an NA Z32 transmission for sale in case anyone wants one.

I don't know too much of its history unfortunately, but this is what i do know. The transmission got a rebuild and then the car was either abandoned or sold to the shop that was working on it, Concept Z Performance, which was a fairly well known z32 shop in northern california. The car was parted out and one of the mechanics at Concept Z ended up with the transmission. the mechanic has since sold his Z32 and didn't need the transmission anymore and sold it to me. I have not used the transmission, and to my knowledge no one has. I've had it looked at by Nissan Doctor Autocare, another prominent Z shop in Northern California and they said it looks good and it turns very quiet.

but i'm looking for something around $700 USD OBO

[ultrapulse]

Use the TT clutch as even though its onlt 10mm larger dia, it has 1800lbs of clamp std! They dont fit the na flywheels either.Yes both gearboxes use basically the same gearset. There are 3 or 4 different parts when compared on the fiche I have (only one part could be a strength issue but prob not).Lastly the NA zed diff is very strong. A mates racecar is just over 400rwkw and hasnt broken the diff or axles yet, and its been years. He is looking at a clutch pack for it though at the mo. I also have an NA setup in my 'std' TT zed and do wheelies all the time. The car weighs 1500kg and did low 13 sec on **** nankang tyres, I think it was at 170kph. I have total faith in the NA setup. The only thing I have heard is that u shouldnt put the boot in if the diff starts one wheeling, or else some real grunt will stuff it. Mine has never one-wheeled anyway...There are other advantages but I'm out of typing. Speaking from my experience only, if your VH was over 700-800hp then the leader gears or tt setup may be an option. As for the TT r230 setup, it's just very heavy!! Like 36kg for na and 52kgs for tt diff head alone. I am using a skyline r200 diff head, but the TT CV's, axles and hubs.

[hannibal]

I am using a skyline r200 diff head, but the TT CV's, axles and hubs.

What did you do in order to use the TT stuff? Did you (or can you) use the R230 TT output shafts in the R200 diff? I dont see how you could run TT axles otherwise...

Eagerly awaiting an update on the progress of your swap!

Also, Ive been trying to learn if using a TT chassis has any big advantages over a NA chassis when doing a VH swap. Sounds like a NA chassis with TT transmission/flywheel/clutch and stock NA diff is just fine for a NA VH45.

[mtcookson]

Early Q45's have an R200 with TTZ style output flanges. They have 30 splines on the output shaft/flange so that would be one route if the Skyline's differential uses 30 spline shafts.

[ultrapulse]

I am using a gts4 r32 diff head which already uses the 6 bolt ttzed style axle splines. (I think the r32 GTR has the 6 bolt flanges also but uses the NA zed ratio of 4.1). But since the head is narrower than the r230 I just made up axle spacers then went with TT axles and hubs. Pretty sure the GTS4 axles fit the NA diff head. TT axles are bigger spline-wise, bearing/seal area and everywhere. Also the gts4 r200 diff at 4.375 literally bolts straight into the na subframe, not even the rear cover needs swapping. That ratio should work well with the overgeared t56 trans Im using.The NA and TT chassis appear to be the same form my dealings apart from brackets near the front. therefore any car would do, but yes keep that na subframe and arsehole the hicas.