Hey,

 

I'm looking to swap out the automatic transmission of my JDM 300ZX (1990 2+2 TT) and replace with a 5spd, and I have what I imagine is a pretty basic question but one I want to get right. Is there any difference between a UK spec 5spd transmission and a JDM one? I don't want to buy a new tranny and have it not fit or something when I come to install it.

 

As an aside, if anyone has done this conversion themselves and has any advice to offer I would be more than happy to hear it, I'd be grateful!

 

Thanks for looking :)

No difference that I remember. This has been done heaps of times now, so just do a search on here. There is even a video or two on YouTube of it being done.

There were stronger synchros & other internals introduced in 1998. Known as the "98+ Spec" manual transmission.

Brilliant cheers guys.

 

I'd love to get the 98+ over a heavily used and older 5spd, but cost is going to rule that out probably. I'll try hope to find a used 98+ for a decent rate I guess.

 

Thanks for the response, that's a great help!

Good luck finding a used 98+ Manual box in the UK (you won't) :)

Good luck finding a used 98+ Manual box in the UK (you won't) :)

 

+1

 

I wouldn't get hung up on using an older box, the fact that many/most people are running around using the earlier box without issue after 20 years suggests they are up to the job.

And a light rebuild/refurbishment really isn't too expensive if required giving you an essentially new box.

 

Otherwise....

 

https://conceptzperformance.com/Cart/description.php?II=813

i did the swop in my back garden its not over hard to do but a bit of messing round isnt there a change on the na box to the tt box thinking it was somthing on the started like having to space it if i remember

Uk transmission has oil cooler lines, jdm doesn't.

Just have a nice loop pipe made at a hydraulics company, cheap and fits nice and neat.

yes i used a loop

I would make sure you get everything u need prior to starting the job, overhaul your master cylinder, use a new Slave cylinder and a braided clutch line, get a new clutch, have your flywheel skimmed, check your prop bearings and Uj's or go one piece.

 

Do all this before you start, then it's just a days work to swap over.

 

and don't forget a spigot bush,flywheel bolts etc, these little things hold up a fairly simple job if you haven't got them ready. there's a conversion kit on eBay at present too

Edited June 10, 201510 yr by Chrisbasildon

Wow cheers fellas. .....a days work....I would be pretty happy as if it goes that smoothly. Thanks for the heads up re the cooler lines. Its this kind of thing I don't want to catch too late. I'll get harvesting.

 

Thanks again!

Hey guys,

 

So digging this back up after a break...I'm now looking to do the swap in early October and I have a few questions I'm hoping I can get some pointers on. As a reminder, I'm looking to swap the auto transmission in my 1990 2+2 JDM Fairlady 300ZX to a 5spd. I have managed to acquire about 70% of the parts and now just getting the rest before the swap.

 

I have got hold of a NA transmission and driveshaft. Will these work within my TT? I have been told before that the NA and TT gearboxes are pretty much the same (albeit with some dimensional differences which I'm looking to work around by spacer plates and boring out the inside using grinders etc.). I'm more interested that the transmission in the NA is capable of taking up to say 350 BHP from the TT. Also, and perhaps more importantly, I have a NA driveshaft. However, if I am packing out my transmission to fit the TT body/flywheel, will this affect the length of the driveshaft I need to install? Basically...will the NA driveshaft fit my TT with a packed out NA transmission?

 

Can the swap be done without pulling the engine? I have read that the clutch hydraulic lines are difficult to install correctly with the engine in as they run out of the master cylinder behind the engine. Anyone done the swap without having to lift the engine? i don't really have the capacity to do an engine pull so looking to avoid if at all possible.

 

Also, the transmission oil cooler line - I have heard that this has to be fabricated for the Fairlady JDM to UK swap. Anyone know of anyone I can speak to about getting one made? Or whether it's actually required? I have heard folk say it's not really needed. Anyone able to shed any light on this at all?

 

Lastly, if anyone has any pointers going into this, and any little tricks they learnt or people I can speak to for help and advice it would be massively appreciated. Especially tools required...

 

Great community on this site, and thanks again for taking the time to read :)

 

All the best!

 

Phil.

Hey guys,

 

So digging this back up after a break...I'm now looking to do the swap in early October and I have a few questions I'm hoping I can get some pointers on. As a reminder, I'm looking to swap the auto transmission in my 1990 2+2 JDM Fairlady 300ZX to a 5spd. I have managed to acquire about 70% of the parts and now just getting the rest before the swap.

 

I have got hold of a NA transmission and driveshaft. Will these work within my TT? I have been told before that the NA and TT gearboxes are pretty much the same (albeit with some dimensional differences which I'm looking to work around by spacer plates and boring out the inside using grinders etc.). I'm more interested that the transmission in the NA is capable of taking up to say 350 BHP from the TT. Also, and perhaps more importantly, I have a NA driveshaft. However, if I am packing out my transmission to fit the TT body/flywheel, will this affect the length of the driveshaft I need to install? Basically...will the NA driveshaft fit my TT with a packed out NA transmission?

 

Can the swap be done without pulling the engine? I have read that the clutch hydraulic lines are difficult to install correctly with the engine in as they run out of the master cylinder behind the engine. Anyone done the swap without having to lift the engine? i don't really have the capacity to do an engine pull so looking to avoid if at all possible.

 

Also, the transmission oil cooler line - I have heard that this has to be fabricated for the Fairlady JDM to UK swap. Anyone know of anyone I can speak to about getting one made? Or whether it's actually required? I have heard folk say it's not really needed. Anyone able to shed any light on this at all?

 

Lastly, if anyone has any pointers going into this, and any little tricks they learnt or people I can speak to for help and advice it would be massively appreciated. Especially tools required...

 

Great community on this site, and thanks again for taking the time to read :)

 

All the best!

 

Phil.

It will hold the power fine, and the mechanicals of the gearboxes are the same. If you have a TT diff, i believe you need a tt manual prop (lwb or swb). As ive been corrected earlier, the transmissions (tt or na) are the same length.

 

You don't need to get the engine out. I don't know about the cooler.

 

Here is a guide you can use.

Hey guys,

 

So digging this back up after a break...I'm now looking to do the swap in early October and I have a few questions I'm hoping I can get some pointers on. As a reminder, I'm looking to swap the auto transmission in my 1990 2+2 JDM Fairlady 300ZX to a 5spd. I have managed to acquire about 70% of the parts and now just getting the rest before the swap.

 

I have got hold of a NA transmission and driveshaft. Will these work within my TT? I have been told before that the NA and TT gearboxes are pretty much the same (albeit with some dimensional differences which I'm looking to work around by spacer plates and boring out the inside using grinders etc.). I'm more interested that the transmission in the NA is capable of taking up to say 350 BHP from the TT. Also, and perhaps more importantly, I have a NA driveshaft. However, if I am packing out my transmission to fit the TT body/flywheel, will this affect the length of the driveshaft I need to install? Basically...will the NA driveshaft fit my TT with a packed out NA transmission?

 

Can the swap be done without pulling the engine? I have read that the clutch hydraulic lines are difficult to install correctly with the engine in as they run out of the master cylinder behind the engine. Anyone done the swap without having to lift the engine? i don't really have the capacity to do an engine pull so looking to avoid if at all possible.

 

Also, the transmission oil cooler line - I have heard that this has to be fabricated for the Fairlady JDM to UK swap. Anyone know of anyone I can speak to about getting one made? Or whether it's actually required? I have heard folk say it's not really needed. Anyone able to shed any light on this at all?

 

Lastly, if anyone has any pointers going into this, and any little tricks they learnt or people I can speak to for help and advice it would be massively appreciated. Especially tools required...

 

Great community on this site, and thanks again for taking the time to read :)

 

All the best!

 

Phil.

 

You will need to use a TT rear prop half to attach it to the diff flange as the NA uses a uj and the TT uses a cv joint, you will need to space your starter motor out from the bell housing to accommodate the larger TT flywheel, if your manual gearbox has the external oil cooler connections just get a pipe made up at a hydraulic shop and loop it, use a new stainless hydraulic line straight from the clutch master to the slave, use a new slave cylinder and rebuild your master cylinder before you fit it. Good luck :clover:

One did come up for sale about 6 months ago so not that rare, O yes and I bought it. ;)

 

Good luck finding a used 98+ Manual box in the UK (you won't) :)

Thanks again for this guys! I'll update when done!