Hi there --

I recently acquired a 1992 Maxima SE with an automatic transmission. This transmission, due to receiving no love or ATF in the last 130,000 miles, has begun its slide into Permanent Neutral. I will need to replace it within the month, and I'd like to replace it with a 5-spd manual.

Could someone tell me the models/years of Nissan from which I may scavenge a manual transmission, clutch, shifter, etc? Also any tips or insight would be appreciated greatly. I hear this will run me about $800-$1000.

Thanks for all your help!

 

Basically 1989-1994 models can do the swap. Get one from the junkyard if you can find one.

 

by this do you mean 89-94 Maximas, or just Nissans in general? I'm definitely scouring the local junkyards.

thanks for your reply btw.

 

maxima's only. You might have to make minor mods but nothing too rediculuos.

 

92 to 94 MAXIMA SE only. VE, DOHC. You might as well see about getting the whole car for parts as its much easier that way and you will need alot more then you expect. Not exactly the same but will be of great use to you

http://www.fastmaxima.com/5spd_conversion.htm

 

since you have to change the flywheel anyways..... you should pick up a lightened flywheel. there worth it especially since you will have the tranny ripped apart

 

Question: I blew the tranny in my 94 GXE. The mechanic wants $2700 to rebuild the tranny and $1800 to install a new reconditioned tranny. I would really to get a 5sp for the money that I will be spending otherwise I would just rather keep the Max parked and get something like a 1991 MR2 for the moment. Will the SE 5sp from the VE30E fit in the VG30E of the GXE trim? I see from all ther other posts that the actual conversion is not that complicated as I thought.

 

I don't believe the tranny from a VE will fit/work in a VG. But you might want a second opinion.

 

It will work but you have to change out the axles and put in SE wheel hubs as the SE axles won't go though the VG wheel hubs

 

Damn, so what are my options? Just replace the tranny with another auto from a GXE? That would really suck!

 

No get the stick from an 89-91 se they had the VGs too

 

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh..........
thanks internetautomar

 

Just trying to be helpful

 

Krog, looked over the procedure. It's not that hard to do the swap. Real basic mechanical skills are necessary, the list is very self explanatory and a Haynes manual should take care of any doubts.
Mods, when is the 5sp conversion going to become a sticky?

 

yea, i think the sticky would be a good idea. Would of came in handy when i needed it 7 months ago and im sure it will come in handy for the next 3000000 people that come here for answers

 

the hardest part is cutting the hole for the master cylinder.

Make sure you grab the bolts that hold the flywheel on aswell, the 5spd ones are longer than the auto ones as the flywheel is about a little more than a cm thick at that point and the flex plate is less than 2mm thick.