Ive had the zed for a few months now, and its been in the family for a good few years. Never even hinted at a problem before, been perfect in every way... Then today out of the blue at 60 theres a bang and some horrible crunching sound and loss of power. Seems like overdrive is completely gone as is reverse... and 1st and 2nd make the crunching noise :(

 

Looks like its not going anywhere in a hurry now, what are my options??

Noisy internals in an auto gearbox means a rebuild, replacement or manual conversion time, sorry no good news for you.

 

Jeff TT

ahh I was hoping against that being the case... is the any information floating about regarding how to rebuild the gearbox, or how to go about a manual conversion? I would like to try it myself, as it gives me something to do, and to learn... Im not too keen on the replacment as you never know when that one will go too .... What sort of costs am I looking at?

 

It was driving so nicely today as well... I went down to southampton to pick up a boost controller, and on the way back it died... A wasted journey in the end..

Mmm...yes sure it looks grim at the moment but don`t despair someone somewhere had a worse day than you and me today so look as it as a learning execise.

Rebuilding the autobox will require a good deal of experience and possibly specialist tools, replacing it with a good known one is a much easier job and one you may well enjoy more.

 

Of course a manual conversion is the other alternative and although its more involved its still just a spanners job.

 

Jeff TT

sounds like the return springs in the reverse and forward clutch assy have broken seen it happen a few times not uncommon. If you want to keep the auto then best just remove it and strip it down and see what damage there is. Most case you can get away with replacing the broken parts.

 

I would be happy to help you out if you decide to do it yourself.

Cheers I appreciate the offer, as I would like to be able to fix it. Do you know of any ways to strengthen it in the process? Also where should I be looking for the parts? It seems like a rebuild or a manual conversion, which is the bigger job?

 

I was just about to start increasing the cars power so in a way I guess its best this happened first... Who knows how much more damage the increased power would have caused. Whereabouts in Essex are you? Im just in Redbridge, as soon as I decide what path to take Il start working on it.

My box is fooked too!!

My box is fooked too!!

 

totally gone now has it mate?

Hi Martin

 

Just got 1st and reverse!!

 

Andy

Cheers I appreciate the offer, as I would like to be able to fix it. Do you know of any ways to strengthen it in the process? Also where should I be looking for the parts? It seems like a rebuild or a manual conversion, which is the bigger job?

 

I was just about to start increasing the cars power so in a way I guess its best this happened first... Who knows how much more damage the increased power would have caused. Whereabouts in Essex are you? Im just in Redbridge, as soon as I decide what path to take Il start working on it.

 

Im near Chelmsford not far from you glad to help out if needed. ive never done a manual conversion tbh so i wouldnt know but if you know your way round a vernier your be ok.

 

Shift kits (hardware kit) are good for raising line pressure in the box for more reliablity with higher Bhp but the drive plate is the weakess link in the change so you need to think about what bhp your after.

 

have a chat with Andy Isherwood. He has done his homework on upgrades.

Hi Martin

 

Just got 1st and reverse!!

 

Andy

 

Might be worth checking the level/condition of the fluid Andy. Flush the system including cooler.

im in dagenham think i see you on a13 other day

done a manual conversion on mine

work all day mon to sat but willing to help after work

if you get the parts

i work in a garage [mechanic] i could probally open up on a sat night and use the ramp

its my uncles garage

Might be worth checking the level/condition of the fluid Andy. Flush the system including cooler.

 

Will do!

Thanks for all the offers guys, Im going to do a bit of research as Im still undecided whether to go for a manual or a rebuild. Im on the lookout for a manual conversion kit, but there dont seem to be any about at the mo...

 

Im near Chelmsford not far from you glad to help out if needed. ive never done a manual conversion tbh so i wouldnt know but if you know your way round a vernier your be ok.

 

Shift kits (hardware kit) are good for raising line pressure in the box for more reliablity with higher Bhp but the drive plate is the weakess link in the change so you need to think about what bhp your after.

 

have a chat with Andy Isherwood. He has done his homework on upgrades.

 

 

Do you know off the top of your head what sort of prices il be looking at to fix the gearbox and strengthen it a bit? Im not after outlandish power levels, but I would like the option to increase it a bit later on

 

im in dagenham think i see you on a13 other day

done a manual conversion on mine

work all day mon to sat but willing to help after work

if you get the parts

i work in a garage [mechanic] i could probally open up on a sat night and use the ramp

its my uncles garage

 

Yeh that was me, funny how much can change in a week lol... what do you think of the manual conversion, would you do it again on your own car if you could, and would you recomend it over another auto box?

 

Did you find the manual conversion to be a straight forward job? and is it worth the hassle? Also is there any way for me to contact you if I find a manual conversion kit, as I would appreciate your help greatly as you've done one already.

 

One other thing Ive been thinking about is how will it affect my insurance?? im only 21 so I was quite lucky to get insured as it is. Will the manual conversion pose many problems?

 

 

My box is fooked too!!

 

When did yours go?? Its a tough life ehh... :( What are you planning to do? rebuild or manual?

hello mate

i done my conversion nearly year ago used secondhand clutch, so had 2 take it apart about 2months ago to put new 1 in.

i done it on the floor outside my mums house had to strip 1 down, and put it onto my1 [i bought another car for manual box] £600

when i stripped it for the clutch change used ramp took me about 3 hours.

best off getting braided hose instead of running standard clutch line.

and pedal is quite easy with air ratchets.

and you need new spigot [pilot] bearing about a fiver.

my uncle had a z before me and hes auto went and he had the box rebuilt and it kept going he got the hump in the end and sold it.

think you would have to put cooler and make sure all lines were clear if you was gonna stay with the auto and hope it dont go again.

if it was me id go manual.

i personally think they feel faster.

they dont accidently kick down on the corner in the wet and rip the front off in the trees twice lol.

hope you sort it.

my number is 07523519021 ring me if you need any help mate

Thanks for all the offers guys, Im going to do a bit of research as Im still undecided whether to go for a manual or a rebuild. Im on the lookout for a manual conversion kit, but there dont seem to be any about at the mo...

 

 

 

 

Do you know off the top of your head what sort of prices il be looking at to fix the gearbox and strengthen it a bit? Im not after outlandish power levels, but I would like the option to increase it a bit later on

 

 

 

Yeh that was me, funny how much can change in a week lol... what do you think of the manual conversion, would you do it again on your own car if you could, and would you recomend it over another auto box?

 

Did you find the manual conversion to be a straight forward job? and is it worth the hassle? Also is there any way for me to contact you if I find a manual conversion kit, as I would appreciate your help greatly as you've done one already.

 

One other thing Ive been thinking about is how will it affect my insurance?? im only 21 so I was quite lucky to get insured as it is. Will the manual conversion pose many problems?

 

 

 

 

When did yours go?? Its a tough life ehh... :( What are you planning to do? rebuild or manual?

 

I 'm planning a strong rebuild with new components most of which will be upgrade including a shift kit. I 'm looking into an upgrade torque converter with a higher stall speed and a stronger flex plate aswell as a shift at will kit!!

 

Slight problem though..... need to save up a few grand first.

 

Zedwiz seems very knowledgable and is also running an auto zed and skyline him self. Worth chatting to him also.

 

Andy

here are some price examples of replacement STD parts for you guys with auto transmissions

 

Master kit, Including Gaskets, Seals, o' rings, friction plates and steel plates - £225

Bush Kit - £65

Brake band - £20

Filter - £18.5 (main oil pick up filter)

solenoid group £120

Torque converter rebuild £180

 

Prices change day to day with exchange rate and are plus VAT and postage of course.

 

All parts available.

 

Upgrade parts and info.

 

Shift Kit - £85 + vat + p&p

Heavy duty flex plate (see link below for why you need one and price)

http://www.powertrix.com/agoracart55/html/Product-description/SZ_Flex_Plate.htm

 

hope this helps.

Seems like an auto rebuild is a costly venture then, even if doing it yourself... Im swaying towards a manual conversion now, I spoke to the insurance company and they said it'l only increase my premium by £39 which i think is alright.

 

Now I just have to find a manual conversion kit... which is proving harder than I thought it would be...

 

Andy how come you're after the rebuild as opposed to a manual?? Is there anything I have overlooked :S?

Seems like an auto rebuild is a costly venture then, even if doing it yourself... Im swaying towards a manual conversion now, I spoke to the insurance company and they said it'l only increase my premium by £39 which i think is alright.

 

Now I just have to find a manual conversion kit... which is proving harder than I thought it would be...

 

Andy how come you're after the rebuild as opposed to a manual?? Is there anything I have overlooked :S?

 

Not really Bud, just personal preference.

 

I used to work for Nissan when these were on sale in the UK and I have driven 8-9 manuals and autos all brand new.

 

The auto just seemd a more together car to me. After a few weekends in the manual I began to get bored. The auto on the other hand seemed to be more suited to the GT type of package that the Z32 was.

 

The other reason is that I have always been into drag racing and the auto is better suited to drag racing as it is quicker 0-100mph than the manual.

 

The only downside is less control through the corners when you are on the limit. But for fast driving, there is nothing in it between the auto and the manual. I know this because it was my job to demonstare the cars to potential customers - hard life eh?

 

Having said that, you will be able to push the auto closer to a manual on the limit with a shift at will set up with paddle shifts.

 

Andy

 

Andy

Fair enough, I liked the idea of the shift at will kit but when i considered the price of just that alone, is more or less the same as a manual conversion...

 

Just out of interest how much power is the manual box good for? I dont want one of these blowing up on me too lol... Is mileage an important factor on these gearboxes?

 

And where can I find one, I've been looking all over, and had no luck finding a manual conversion kit. I hate having the zed off the road, my sisters Mini doesnt quite compare lol...

Syko has a kit for sale

http://www.300zx.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=1313063&postcount=1

 

As for how much power, i don't recall ever seeing any definate power levels for this. Some have had problems at the lower end whilst some never have problems at the very high end.

One guys brand new box broke quite early, though that's considered a one off.

Certainly rarer to see peeps moan about manual boxes compared to those with an Auto.

smithy

If i was gonna have my gearbox rebuilt, i would go to someone/a garage, who has many years experience in this field, with many happy customers, who can confirm the quality of work carried out. There are many mechanics out there who think they know what they are doing, but, clearly they do not. I have had some bad experiences!! I would only take my 300 for a gearbox rebuild/refurb,(and any other work to that matter) to someone who has been recommened, and, after contacting the people who have had work carried out by them, in the past, and recently, and they confirm first hand quality, i would take my beloved 300 to them. This is only my opinion, as i have been, lets say, f***ed in the past by these so called mechanics, and i think, many members on here will agree. (Sorry for the beef, but i have some from the past!!)

 

Al.

Edited October 23, 200916 yr by AlanZ

i didnt want money for fitting box if he got a box we could use the ramps where i work to make it easier to fit saves him trying to do it on the floor like i did.

i have done lots of boxes on all differant cars and to fit a box to the z aint hard i take that over a new mini or mondeo any day of the week.

i would still go manual conversion my cousins got a manual one, i have a manual one, my cousin me and my uncle have all had a few autos between us.

i have pulled away a few times next to my cousins and off the line my manual pulled away a lot quicker thats why he sold it and bought a manual.

other then a clutch my box as never let me down.

if you do go manual behind drivers wing [manual] theres piping you will want for the servo or your clutch will be hard.

good luck anyway mate if you need help just ring me.

I think Terry was just offering a helping hand, and I appreciate that, as any help is better than no help lol..

 

Ive come accross a conversion kit at a reasonable price, however it is from an NA. Will this work as I have a TT?? also the mileage is 79000. Should I go for it?

i think you have to mess about a bit cause flywheels bigger on tt

have you tried looking for a whole manual car with a turbo gone or somthing like that might work out cheaper for you i try have a look later see if i can find anything

as the guy couple of threads above still got hes seems a good price