Diary of a 6spd Swap in a 4th Gen.
02-01-2011, 10:01 PM
#1
Diary of a 6spd Swap in a 4th Gen.
I'm bored, I thought I wasn't gonna make I thread, but I did anyways (go to the pics if you're the ADD kind).
So, as the locals already know and some orgers who are fb friends w/ me, my 5spd took a turn for the worse sometime before christmas, it decided to have incontinence and loose all of it's gear oil.
For the longest (over a year) I've had the Input Shaft Bearing noise, This summer I found a steal of a deal on a 6spd HLSD outta a Sentra ($200) so I scooped it up, refreshed it a little and let it chill out for awhile, knowing that my 5spd was going to quit on me. Fast forward to around November 1st gear started whining, and I started having random crunches during daily driving (still felt fine at the "track").
December at an undisclosed private track, it took a crap on me in 4th gear loosing all of the gear oil (it was trailing my car) and being undriveable (felt like the shifter was in mashed potatoes, and the car would not stop moving even though i was in neutral), after a while I got lucky and found 3rd gear and drove home with it stuck in 3rd. Next morning check the tranny and it's bone dry, knowing this would happen I already had 5 qts of Napa GL4 sitting in the garage, filled her up, drove her to the dyno, the drove home, putting the car on point a. to point b. duty and just driving a light as possible.
Fast forward to now, the final symptoms of the 5spd were... The car reeking of gear oil, the sound of rocks dancing around inside the gearbox while off of the clutch, the car shaking to this noise also, and on right turns it made a bad axle noise but it's not the axle (only did it while under power).
I was told this transmission was rebuilt from the previous owner, and I'm quite sure it was but I doubt the shimming was done correctly, but after 50k+ of hard ***** out abuse, I really can't complain.
/Monologue.
This brings me to Sunday night, limp the car up the driveway one more time and begin putting on the 6spd.
I'll let the pictures do the talking here, nothing really out of the ordinary here, besides a few bolts giving me ungodly troubles (Deezy, I did have fun with a torch getting that bolt I talked to you about out), the tranny came out easily.
6spd ready to go (kinda)
Fun with a dremel for 2.5hrs
One of the may maintenance things I'm taking care of (along with front rotors, sway bar, and the pax side mount).
The flywheel side didn't look too bad...
That's why I was slipping in 3rd...
The clutch (exedy stg 1) has been bathing in gear oil for about 1k miles or so...
Anyways... Here is where my car stands, ready to accept it's 6spd components... (Excuse the mess inside the car)
6spd Swap Details:
03' Sentra SE-R SpecV RS6f51H with 90k Miles
02 Maxima Bellhousing
VQ35 (Maxima) Fidanza Lightweight Flywheel
350z Clutch Disc
OEM 02-03 Pressure Plate
4.1 Final Drive (was going to use the 3.8, but after months of mulling I decided to keep the 4.1)
Sentra Shifter Cables
Any more I'm forgetting? Just ask questions!
Interesting Facts:
The RS5F50A (5MT) Weighs 90lbs +/-5lbs (dry)
The RS6F51H (6MT+HLSD) weighs 120lbs +/-5lbs (dry)
Any 3.5L FWD Manual Starter works w/ the tranny.
So, as the locals already know and some orgers who are fb friends w/ me, my 5spd took a turn for the worse sometime before christmas, it decided to have incontinence and loose all of it's gear oil.
For the longest (over a year) I've had the Input Shaft Bearing noise, This summer I found a steal of a deal on a 6spd HLSD outta a Sentra ($200) so I scooped it up, refreshed it a little and let it chill out for awhile, knowing that my 5spd was going to quit on me. Fast forward to around November 1st gear started whining, and I started having random crunches during daily driving (still felt fine at the "track").
December at an undisclosed private track, it took a crap on me in 4th gear loosing all of the gear oil (it was trailing my car) and being undriveable (felt like the shifter was in mashed potatoes, and the car would not stop moving even though i was in neutral), after a while I got lucky and found 3rd gear and drove home with it stuck in 3rd. Next morning check the tranny and it's bone dry, knowing this would happen I already had 5 qts of Napa GL4 sitting in the garage, filled her up, drove her to the dyno, the drove home, putting the car on point a. to point b. duty and just driving a light as possible.
Fast forward to now, the final symptoms of the 5spd were... The car reeking of gear oil, the sound of rocks dancing around inside the gearbox while off of the clutch, the car shaking to this noise also, and on right turns it made a bad axle noise but it's not the axle (only did it while under power).
I was told this transmission was rebuilt from the previous owner, and I'm quite sure it was but I doubt the shimming was done correctly, but after 50k+ of hard ***** out abuse, I really can't complain.
/Monologue.
This brings me to Sunday night, limp the car up the driveway one more time and begin putting on the 6spd.
I'll let the pictures do the talking here, nothing really out of the ordinary here, besides a few bolts giving me ungodly troubles (Deezy, I did have fun with a torch getting that bolt I talked to you about out), the tranny came out easily.
6spd ready to go (kinda)
Fun with a dremel for 2.5hrs
One of the may maintenance things I'm taking care of (along with front rotors, sway bar, and the pax side mount).
The flywheel side didn't look too bad...
That's why I was slipping in 3rd...
The clutch (exedy stg 1) has been bathing in gear oil for about 1k miles or so...
Anyways... Here is where my car stands, ready to accept it's 6spd components... (Excuse the mess inside the car)
6spd Swap Details:
03' Sentra SE-R SpecV RS6f51H with 90k Miles
02 Maxima Bellhousing
VQ35 (Maxima) Fidanza Lightweight Flywheel
350z Clutch Disc
OEM 02-03 Pressure Plate
4.1 Final Drive (was going to use the 3.8, but after months of mulling I decided to keep the 4.1)
Sentra Shifter Cables
Any more I'm forgetting? Just ask questions!
Interesting Facts:
The RS5F50A (5MT) Weighs 90lbs +/-5lbs (dry)
The RS6F51H (6MT+HLSD) weighs 120lbs +/-5lbs (dry)
Any 3.5L FWD Manual Starter works w/ the tranny.
Last edited by aackshun; 03-11-2013 at 06:49 AM.
02-02-2011, 10:21 PM
#12
The MightyMax95 3hr Dremel Trick...
oh you mean that thing up there
Thanks! Me either!
Question... Will I have to drill a hole for the cables? I thought there was a pre-punched spot for the auto shift selector cable, I'm having a helluva time finding a hole to feed the cables through....
02-05-2011, 08:48 PM
#16
I know, I dropped mine a few inches (like 3-4) to get the 6spd in, I also had to cut a hole in my firewall to feed the cables through.... This is a necessary undocumented part in the How-To... I will include details on my blog though.
You already sawed off your mount, brave man, how do you plan on putting on the 6spd mount? 6th gen stye, tap/thread a hole? or Nuts/Washers/Bolts?
You already sawed off your mount, brave man, how do you plan on putting on the 6spd mount? 6th gen stye, tap/thread a hole? or Nuts/Washers/Bolts?
Last edited by aackshun; 02-05-2011 at 08:54 PM.
02-06-2011, 04:23 AM
#17
yea I tried dropping the motor but I still couldnt get the tranny to slide in 
Im just gonna line the mount up, drill, and use bolts. depending on how close it is I may have to use some extra washers. I believe the previous owner did this as well
Im just gonna line the mount up, drill, and use bolts. depending on how close it is I may have to use some extra washers. I believe the previous owner did this as well
02-06-2011, 04:31 AM
#18
have you run your cables yet? i ran both mine on the passenger side of the ECU but one is coming up about an inch short at the tranny. Im wondering if I run that one on the driver side if it will loosen up enough slack to reach.
02-07-2011, 10:53 PM
#24
Updates you say??? Well IT STARTS!!!!!!
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I did a 180* in emotions tonight, first it was not starting but now It starts, runs and idles fine, can't shift gears (no clutch or shifter mechanism connected) but it starts, I am comfortable moving past the point of no return tomorrow morning.
FYI, more interesting notes... A Maxima will crank but not start without the ECU plugged in, don't ask how I found that out...
MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I did a 180* in emotions tonight, first it was not starting but now It starts, runs and idles fine, can't shift gears (no clutch or shifter mechanism connected) but it starts, I am comfortable moving past the point of no return tomorrow morning.
FYI, more interesting notes... A Maxima will crank but not start without the ECU plugged in, don't ask how I found that out...
Last edited by aackshun; 02-07-2011 at 11:07 PM.
02-08-2011, 06:22 AM
#26
Another question, what did you guys who swapped 6spds do about axles? I am currently using my 5spd axles and My passenger side axle will NOT reach the transmission all of the way, it falls about 1inch short of fully mating up with the tranny, that housing you bolt the passenger side axle to prevents it from going further towards the transmission housing.
02-09-2011, 06:13 AM
#27
The above question still stands, I'm going to just buy a 6spd passenger axle and see if it works better.
Fixed my poor running issues, even though it's close, you can not use the old position for the Crank Pos Sensor. I was not having any starting issues at all, it would start perfectly fine but the car ran like crap (super rich and misfiring a lot), so I moved the CKPS around abit (futher right more into the transmission bellhousing and away from the motor) and viola! it revs freely again and smells much better.
This is still easier than that damned header install....
Fixed my poor running issues, even though it's close, you can not use the old position for the Crank Pos Sensor. I was not having any starting issues at all, it would start perfectly fine but the car ran like crap (super rich and misfiring a lot), so I moved the CKPS around abit (futher right more into the transmission bellhousing and away from the motor) and viola! it revs freely again and smells much better.
This is still easier than that damned header install....
Last edited by aackshun; 02-09-2011 at 06:23 AM.
02-10-2011, 06:37 PM
#28
Brought a new axle today (6spd for an A33B), and it went right in with no problems (not leaving the 1 inch gap the 5spd axle did), I am still using a 5spd driver side though.
I was going to start her up and row through some gears but my battery completely died on me, so I will probably start it up after it finishes charging soon then I will give the final test before I saw off the 5spd mount, then bolt it up.
The only thing that remains after bolting it up is some final fab work (mounting the shifter and re-assembling my interior) then the car should be back on the road.
I was going to start her up and row through some gears but my battery completely died on me, so I will probably start it up after it finishes charging soon then I will give the final test before I saw off the 5spd mount, then bolt it up.
The only thing that remains after bolting it up is some final fab work (mounting the shifter and re-assembling my interior) then the car should be back on the road.
02-12-2011, 02:53 AM
#29
I the passenger axle between the auto and 5mt are supposed to be interchangeable iirc. and, when I put them side by side, the auto and 6spd passenger axles were identical. I wonder what happened with yours. Maybe one more screwball thing to add to the 99sel list? 
02-12-2011, 12:06 PM
#31
So it looks like you used the auto timing ring?? Do you have an update on this? I've been contemplating doing this swap for a very long time. Didn't someone else hack the auto timing ring with bad results??
Where did you get the bellhousing for the sentra tranny? Did you buy a new one from dave b?
Do the sentra cables fit perfectly??? I think you might be the first one to try those.
Where did you get the bellhousing for the sentra tranny? Did you buy a new one from dave b?
Do the sentra cables fit perfectly??? I think you might be the first one to try those.
02-13-2011, 09:20 PM
#32
So it looks like you used the auto timing ring?? Do you have an update on this? I've been contemplating doing this swap for a very long time. Didn't someone else hack the auto timing ring with bad results??
Where did you get the bellhousing for the sentra tranny? Did you buy a new one from dave b?
Do the sentra cables fit perfectly??? I think you might be the first one to try those.
Where did you get the bellhousing for the sentra tranny? Did you buy a new one from dave b?
Do the sentra cables fit perfectly??? I think you might be the first one to try those.
3.5 timing ring ghetto dremel idea copied from me. look at pics. the auto ring is the same as the 5spd ring, only bolted on instead of rivets.
max bell housing scavenged from blown max trans. def not the first to use sentra cables. kzoosho did for sure.
02-14-2011, 07:42 AM
#33
No. Nope didn't use it so no... AFAIK no.
Jon nailed it. Suratt's tires were a bit too sticky so that ended the life of that 6spd....
NO!!! That is another headache I'm having right now... Does anyone know of any wrecked 02-06 6spds?? I'm going to be spending a long day on the internet and fabbing up an adapter cause the left/right movement cable comes 1 inch short, I think it would've worked if I cut the hole further to the driver's side instead of being slightly off set to the driver's side. Kzoosho may have cut his hole further left than I did making it come closer to the gas pedal.
Jon nailed it. Suratt's tires were a bit too sticky so that ended the life of that 6spd....
NO!!! That is another headache I'm having right now... Does anyone know of any wrecked 02-06 6spds?? I'm going to be spending a long day on the internet and fabbing up an adapter cause the left/right movement cable comes 1 inch short, I think it would've worked if I cut the hole further to the driver's side instead of being slightly off set to the driver's side. Kzoosho may have cut his hole further left than I did making it come closer to the gas pedal.
Last edited by aackshun; 02-14-2011 at 07:44 AM.
02-14-2011, 01:43 PM
#34
NO!!! That is another headache I'm having right now... Does anyone know of any wrecked 02-06 6spds?? I'm going to be spending a long day on the internet and fabbing up an adapter cause the left/right movement cable comes 1 inch short, I think it would've worked if I cut the hole further to the driver's side instead of being slightly off set to the driver's side. Kzoosho may have cut his hole further left than I did making it come closer to the gas pedal.
02-14-2011, 03:57 PM
#36
You too man...
Posted this already in your thread but i'll post it againnn
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
Posted this already in your thread but i'll post it againnn
Uploaded with ImageShack.us
02-15-2011, 09:04 AM
#38
Anyone try altima 5spd cables? Seem to be the only things I have had luck finding... I almost brought them but if they don't work then I am stuck with an in-store credit...
02-15-2011, 08:18 PM
#40
This just in, as it appears on courtesy's website the cables are the same from 04+ on the L31... no matter what tranny... I'm calling up dave B and confirming that they are the same from 02+ (They came out of an 03 3.5SE 5spd).