Hey guys-

As I contemplate whether I want to rebuild my VG 5-speed or shell out some extra cash for a VLSD model, I started thinking about something I never quite figured out from when I did my tranny swap...

With the clutch kit I ordered came a copper spacer...it is O-shaped and about a quarter inch long...Did we ever figure out what it's for? Is it for use with the VE tranny? I didn't use it when installing the VG 5-speed and would like to know if it's needed / what it does before I start pulling things apart again. Thanks as always to the OG's who will undoubtedly chime in...

 

The pilot bushing maybe?

read up..

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread....=pilot+bushing

 

Yes, the pilot bushing is what I'm referring to...BUT in the link you posted, Michael says it has to be removed / replaced when performing a slushbox / stick swap...I don't recall ever removing anything of the sort before installing the 5-speed...It doesn't sound like Alex_V is, either...can you explain that one?

Maybe Ricky (Grnmaxdmon) will chime in about this issue, since he did the swap way back when...

 

holy crap, i did mine back in '04 i think. its been awhile though and to answer your question about that bushing: i did not use it since i didn't know what the hell it was for. i think Michael or someone else it would be something for the input shaft (<--- i think thats what its called) in the bellhousing of the tranny once you mate it with the engine block. but i too wanted to know what its for as well. sorry if i couldn't answer it buddy. but i will try and find out what its for and maybe if it hasn't been answered then i shall answer it.

 

The pilot bushings only use on a manual is for the little plastic alignment tool that comes with the clutch kit,it is the same size as the end of the alignment tool,this keeps all your clutch parts straight when you are snugging down the pressure plate bolts..After that it becomes useless..

 

So is there an auto bushing still in there that shouldn't be? Or does it not make any difference either way?

 

If you have one in there(read: look when you have it out) then fine,if not then put one in there.


just a reminder,the input shaft does not ride on the bushing on either auto/manual 3rd gens..

 

do the VSLD...it's awesome! I just finished mine on the Vg, mated it with a fidanza and nice clutch, and the thing revs like CRAZY! Also, you'll notice that when you turn and accelerate at the same time you'll feel the steering try to rip out of your grip. That's just showing that the VLSD is working though. Plus it's always cool to leave 2 patches when you peel out instead of just one. It's also better in snow.... That's just my two cents though.

When I installed my manual and ripped out that old slushbox, I never used a clutch alignment tool. I did however make my own type of design. If you get some LONG studs and put them in the top two engine mounting holes, where trans bolts normally go in....you can use them as a guide to slide the manual trans right onto the engine where it should be. There's plenty of room. It's a little trick I came up with a few years ago doing a transmision job on a friends car when we had no tools to align it. I'm sure it's been done before, but I never heard of it. Worked like a charm. Let me know if that helps out at all.

 

A lot of factors come into play concerning whether the VG 5-spd gets rebuilt, or replaced with a VLSD unit...

Torgus is selling a VLSD for $50, which is great, except add 100-120 for shipping, then I must locate VE axles and hubs that are in good/great shape, pay for them and have them shipped, and have the tranny (whichever one) rebuilt for $600 (by my estimates, waiting on a quote). Not to mention I just paid $100 shipped for a new passenger side CV axle...

I would LOVE to have VLSD, but unless I can find / get a great deal on all necessary components, I just can't justify spending an additional several hundred dollars (on top of the $600) on a car that will be getting paint work sooner or later (I know, not that important), and a fresh set of performance tires in the spring and be replaced (kept or sold, IDK yet) by a much newer, much faster car in May (by my estimates).

BTW, I really don't have traction issues except when it's wet out...good tires make more difference than differential type, IMHO.

One more thing: does the VLSD unit inside the tranny ever go bad?

 

P.S. You guys help me locate the axles and hubs I need for next-to-nothing, and I'll be all for installing the VLSD unit!

 

Yeah, I'm going to bite the bullet and go VLSD...What the hell, why not? The more I think about it, the more I see it being worth it.

 

What's VLSD? I assume it's a special manual transmission? Was it made for the 3rd gen? Can it be used to replace the automatic transmission on a VG?

 

Viscous Limited Slip Differential. AFAIK (and I don't know third gens at all) all VE5's had VLSD.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viscous...p_differential

 

Alright, thanks for the info.