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Old Sep 6, 2013 | 05:12 PM
  #1  
SHADY280's Avatar
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Big Poppa
 
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240sx trans swap

so while at the vintage races at my local track i met a few z guys while we waited in line to do a few hot laps. the one guy said he had simply bolted in a trans from a 240sx, no mods nothing. i know to use a z32 trans you need machining and an adapter. can anyone confirm this? they were friends with fricfrac apparently. any thoughts fricfrac? i have new nissan syncros for my current trans but the 240sx trans felt so much nicer, plus i can pickup a new decent trans for cheaper than the rebuild
Old Sep 6, 2013 | 06:57 PM
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Far from "simply bolt up" as far as I know... http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techti...issioninstall/

Just the other day here or on FB somebody posted about bolting up a 240sx (S13 I believe) transmission to the L28 and upon installing in the car it was turned clockwise about 10* so the shifter couldn't mount right.

EDIT:

This: https://www.zdriver.com/forums/240z-...problem-38110/

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Last edited by NismoPick; Sep 6, 2013 at 07:00 PM.
Old Sep 6, 2013 | 08:03 PM
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I asked the question regarding fitment of a FS5W71C from an S13 to replace the E4N71B automatic in my NA Z31. I discovered all W71C trannys are not the same. Those hooked up to VG engines (more specifically the Z31) possess a larger output spline than the same transmission used in the 240SX. But that doesn't help SHADY280.

After I discovered the difference between the two W71C variants, I found an articled titled "Tech How-To: Nissan Transmission Identification" published in The Dime Quarterly. Look in Volume 11 Issue 4. Both the spline size and the tilt issue with L engines is mentioned under the FS5W71C discussion. A guy like Joey Chitwood would like that setup pictured by NismoPick.
Old Sep 7, 2013 | 12:43 AM
  #4  
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Big Poppa
 
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so judging from that article you would need a ka motor 240sx trans and it should work? if you get a truck trans or a napz motor trans you would be out of luck. casting number would be fs5w71c. if i can find one cheap it may be something to try i guess. i think my local yard i can spend 100 bux on a trans or 400 for the rebuild with the 400 i spent years ago on nissan syncros. i also have 2 trans to choose from at home now. a 77-78 closer ratio trans and a 82 era trans with the better 5th gear and more equal gear ratios. so many choices. the 240sx trans has very nice ratios to, kinda a split between the 2
Old Sep 7, 2013 | 07:55 AM
  #5  
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Originally Posted by SHADY280
so judging from that article you would need a ka motor 240sx trans and it should work?
Yes. There are other options, SR and RB engines share the same bell housing pattern with the KA and VG. I know a modern KA24DE produces more hp and torque than my VG30E, so if running a 4 banger doesn't bother you, that would make sense. KA's are everywhere and prices are very competitive. I heard or read somewhere SR20DET were sold in Canadian cars, so that may be attractive.
Old Sep 7, 2013 | 09:09 AM
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Big Poppa
 
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ive never followed the sr movement to know what cars came with a det in them. they seem kinda rare around here. rb motors on the other hand are common as a guy local and a few other places import japanese cars buy the container load. in fact we even have the r34 skylines around now!! that said im looking into ditching my altima for one. and ka 240's are a dime a dozen especially in the wrecking yards. just trying to find one with coilovers as well so i can convert the zx over.
Old Sep 7, 2013 | 09:46 AM
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I bet you can find a bundled RB20DET or RB25DET with a w71C attached for an attractive price. You can't hardly beat the I6 design for inherently delivering smooth power with minimal vibration. Something to consider. Good luck with your project.

Last edited by ken99; Sep 8, 2013 at 09:56 AM. Reason: diction
Old Sep 8, 2013 | 08:03 AM
  #8  
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Big Poppa
 
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i have so much into my n/a motor tho im waiting to kill it first. that said its really hard to kill an L series. i think i heard there is a difference between an n/a rb25 trans and a rb25det trans, one works with our cars and one won't, looks like more research. if i get one of those trannys i wont need to replace it if i ever swap in an rb
Old Sep 12, 2013 | 08:33 AM
  #9  
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The S13 tranny needs a 280ZX bell housing (4sp from an early Z maybe?) but the bearing holder on the front of the case needs to be machined out for the larger output bearing on the S13 tranny or I guess a bearing to accomidate the larger shaft but fits in the stock ZX bearing holder - don't know if those are available. Well that's as far as I know from my research..... S13 KA24 trannys are very common, cheap and you can bolt in a short shifter... should be able to pick them up for around $150

There weren't any Canadian cars that came with the SR20DET. We have lots and lots and lots of them swapped in over here but not that ever came stock.

The Z32 tranny is one of Nissan's best. That's the go to tranny if you're putting power through the car. They are also used in some of the Skylines I've heard.
Old Sep 16, 2013 | 04:58 AM
  #10  
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Please do not put a 4 banger in a Z. It just wont sound right. After owning quite a few 4 bangers. I absolutely despise them, especially the sound they make. lol
Old Sep 16, 2013 | 06:47 AM
  #11  
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Originally Posted by WildmaN
Please do not put a 4 banger in a Z. It just wont sound right. After owning quite a few 4 bangers. I absolutely despise them, especially the sound they make. lol
This thread is about 240SX / KA24 transmission swaps, not engine swaps.

Also not sure why you'd lump all "4 bangers" into the same category. Nissan 4cylinder engines are still Nissan.
Old Sep 16, 2013 | 12:44 PM
  #12  
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More Than Meets The Eye
 
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^ I realize what the thread topic is. I was just responding to someone else's post in the thread about putting a 4 cylinder in a Z. And they may be Nissan, but in my opinion they will always have a weak power band, and dogs on hills. lol Also I posted at 4ish in the morning, and was about ready for bed.
Old Sep 17, 2013 | 10:51 AM
  #13  
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I believe I remember reading that you can actually use the stock Z transmission bearing if you didn't want to machine the bellhousing for the larger bearing, but at the same time it was sort of taking a step backwards in swapping to a better trans. I know bigphil over on HybridZ did a video about swapping to the Z31 trans. If I'm not mistaken the late Z31 turbo trans was pretty much the same as the Z32 internally, just a different bellhousing and shifter options. Again you needed a spacer and machining.
Old Nov 8, 2013 | 07:52 AM
  #14  
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Originally Posted by FricFrac
The S13 tranny needs a 280ZX bell housing (4sp from an early Z maybe?) but the bearing holder on the front of the case needs to be machined out for the larger output bearing on the S13 tranny or I guess a bearing to accomidate the larger shaft but fits in the stock ZX bearing holder - don't know if those are available. Well that's as far as I know from my research..... S13 KA24 trannys are very common, cheap and you can bolt in a short shifter... should be able to pick them up for around $150

There weren't any Canadian cars that came with the SR20DET. We have lots and lots and lots of them swapped in over here but not that ever came stock.

The Z32 tranny is one of Nissan's best. That's the go to tranny if you're putting power through the car. They are also used in some of the Skylines I've heard.
Are you talking about the pilot bearing
Old Nov 8, 2013 | 09:08 AM
  #15  
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The Good Twin
 
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No, he's talking about the actual bearings in the front of the transmission body (case). The pilot bearing goes into the crankshaft alignment hole.
Old Nov 16, 2013 | 07:59 PM
  #16  
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Mr Z++ Wiki
 
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http://www.atlanticz.ca/zclub/techti...issioninstall/

280ZX Tranny swap problem - Nissan : Datsun ZCar forum :Nissan Z Forum: 240Z to 370Z

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Old Nov 19, 2013 | 07:21 PM
  #17  
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Aww thanks it makes sense not as easy as i thought
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