I have a '88 z31 GLL, last december I got the car with a blown auto transmission, got it "rebuilt" just to have it start slippping again. I don't think the guy rebuilt it but anyways I am now looking for a manual transmission to swap my shitty auto one for.

I have a few questions about the swap:

1. Will the different gear ratios be a problem?

2. If I buy a donor '88 2+2, does everything switch over without hassles?

3. What other transmissions will fit in the z31?

4. How difficult/expensive do you think it will be?

5. How reliable will the transmission be after I swap it? Will I run into more problems down the road?

If you guys could please help me I would greatly appreciate it.

 

you might well have driveshaft hassles with a 2+2 to a coupe. Otherwise everything else should work. the Manual will be much more reliable than the slushbox. Of course that depends on what sort of abuse it sustained before you got it. Replace the clutch fork fulcrum pin - I had one shatter at an inopportune time

The actual swap is quite doable by yourself if you have reasonable wrench skills, tools and four jackstands. while in there replace the rear engine seal and pilot bearing. The manuals tend to be a little delicate with the input bearing. it is a Timken and quite easy to replace. why would the gear ratios be a problem?

 

thnx for the reply.. I was wondering the same thing about the gear ratios.. I'm 18 and my Dad is helping me with my car, he was talking to his friend about it and the issue of the gear ratios came up, he said it would be very hard to take off? and that I would have problems in first gear...

 

This is a common swap, and never has 1st gear been an issue. Obviously advice from a non enthusiast can be sketchy, you did the right thing looking for advice here. Worst case situation, you will need to have your drive line shortened, any competent drive live shop can handle the work. plus, driving a stick is so much closer connected to the car, automatics are made for grandma's ( no offense mom)

 

thanks for clearing this up for me, i'll let him know. the transmission is getting worse and worse so i'll be doing the swap soon.

 

I also have another question.. Will a 240sx FS5W71C fit in my Z?

 

The tranny itself will fit, but not sure about the Bell Housing. Also, if you match the tranny type with the proper drive shafts, you won't have to cut yours down. Just get a used stock one from a junk yard or some on the forums.

This site has great reliable information.

ZBUM's Z31 Transmission Information Page

The Z31 came with three different manual 5 speed transmissions. All manual non-turbos used a 5 speed Nissan transmission (FS5W71C) which is quite reliable. The 84-86 manual turbos used a Borg-Warner T-5 5 speed (FS5R90A). The 87-89 manual turbos are internally, the same as the Nissan transmission found in z32 turbos, trucks, pathfinders, etc (FS5R30A). All manual transmissions have synchros on all forward gears. If you change the gear oil in your transmission on a semi-regular basis it should give you absolutely no trouble at all. That is, provided you don't beat the poop out of it.

 

so you are saying if I have a '86 drive shaft and matching '86 transmission, I will have no problem bolting that up to my '88? Just as long as the drive shaft and transmission match right? Or does it have to be the same year.. I see that it says all trannys are interchangeable but are the drive shafts interchangeable as well?

 

Just as long as the drive shaft and transmission match.