Well the info isnt here yet, but I hope it will be. I will be looking for a new transmission soon, and I would like to upgrade to something better, than the stock transmission in my 97 Nissan Maxima ' 5 speed '.

In the post below I ask that knowledgable members post up information on what transmissions will work perfectly in a 4th gen maxima. (example: I30 year 98-99)
Along with what parts will also be needed to complete the swap.

Im really moving into uncharted territory here but I will be needing a new transmission soon and want to get something with limited slip or locking differential. Anything that would possibly be stronger, and also giving the car more traction for racing and such.

I appreciate all the help from you guys and hope the thread will exist as a type of help section for other members as well. Im sitting on 151,000 miles and all of them hard. I guess it is about time to put a new one in.


SHOPPING LIST

Section I - What transmissions will work that are superior to the stock 4th Gen transmission.

Section II - What other parts will be needed to complete the change.

Section III - What other mods could be done while the transmission is out ? Not neccessary but the things you can do. (example: clutch)


thanks

 

Is this more relative to manual, I'de be interested in some things for the autop as well, even though the market may not be as big but hey, worth a try

 

I don't there are any transmissions that are superior to what you have. If i were in you shoes, I would rebuild the current one, add a Quaif(sp) locking diff, and cryotreat the gears.

If you want to use the a 96 I30 5spd VLSD trans, then you will need a driver side axle, and it should bolt up with no prob.

Another thing you can do is get ahold of a 2k1 AE LSD trans, I havent heard of anyone bustin' gears on a 5th gen tranny.

While you are at it, you can add a nice ACT HDMM clutch, and light weight flywheel.

 

Shopping List - Keep it coming

Section I: Transmissions

1. (96-99) I30 5spd VLSD trans
2. 01 AE LSD trans - ( what exactly is this ? AE ? )

Section II: Other things needed

1. Drivers side axel - ( Will raxles have what i need ?)

Section III: Extras

1. Clutch, lightweight flywheel

 

Yes raxles will have what you need.
I highly recommend a Fidanza, after I put one in my car, maximas with out them felt unresponsive and boring, just like the engine was bogged down.

People have had great results with Spec clutches. Personally I love my Exedy Stage 1

BigDogJonX had a custom LSD made for his tranny, he's using a 4th gen one and hasn't broken anything yet. I believe he is using a Spec Stage 3 Clutch.

Also Amsoil or Redline work good too (I bet you've already done that though for all the racing and such).

 

after reading about lightened flywheels last night, im planning on going with the fidanza. while i dont know jack about any of them, im affraid anything lighter might have the potential to actually hurt me in the 1/4 mile. A lightened flywheel will help the engine rev up faster getting me into the powerband i need to be in quicker, but will also fall out quicker.

so moving into the unknown, all i can do is keep my fingers crossed on this one.

Another thought from last night would be buying another maxima 4th gen tranny and adding the phantom grip LSD.

I wonder how this would compare to the Infiniti I30T VLSD?

About the clutch ? I have no idea, at the moment im just planning on replacing the stock one, unless i can figure out a great replacement.

help me out here guys - once i know what i need i will start the hunt !

 

I wouldnt do a Phantom grip LSD just because of the price...compaired to a Quaife its almost $1200 cheaper...if your gonna go a LSD dirrection get a Quaife installed (big bucks) but youll have a very good limited slip with a lifetime warentee or look for an infiniti LSD trans...

As for the clutch I would change it while im in there just to have the security of a little something stronger. Plus you are going to be changing out the flywheel so why match that with a not-so-new clutch ?? ---->chatter
The picks are ACT or Exedy....I went with an Exedy Stage 1 Organic and I do plan on boosting as well...the ACT is 39% over stock and the Exedy is 36%

-matt

 

there is the nismo lsd for 900$ at http://www.leeauto.com/parts/onismo.html Its for the altima but we have the same transmissions so you could test it out for the rest of us curious members

 

I'd be interested to know if anything else is involved if installing a 2001 tranny. I have a feeling I might need one soon, and would like to try an LSD tranny.

As far as a clutch goes, if you go stock, don't get the "kit" from Nissan that is labelled Key Value. Buy all the parts individually. I've dealt with both, and unless one of the installs had something wrong, the Key Value had chatter and only lasted me about 35K miles until it broke. http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=244203 Maybe it was my hard driving, but I'm happy so far with the actual stock clutch (20K miles or so).

I got the Fidanza when my clutch went out and like it a lot.

I've used Redline MT-90 for a while now and like it. You may not notice a difference, but may as well use it if you're swapping trannys.

 

Be sure to get in on the Fidanza GD

$331 shipped

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=285511&page=3

 

Shopping List - Keep it coming

Section I: Transmissions

1. (96-99) I30 5spd VLSD trans
2. 01 Anniversary Edition LSD trans - ( Possibly hard to find )
3. New: Stock transmission with an added LSD
4. Rebuild tranny, add a Quaif(sp) locking diff, and cryotreat the gears.


Section II: Other things needed

1. Drivers side axel with use of I30T (vlsd) - ( Will raxles have what i need ?)

Section III: Extras

1. Clutch, lightweight flywheel

 

It seems to me that finding a stock LSD trans is going to be hard. Unless you buy one at the dealer brand new. If I were in your spot, I would just rebuild the sucker, with a Quaife.

 

You best bet for a clutch may be the aforementioned Exedy Organic Racing Clutch (aka Stage 1, ExedyPart#06-803A) which Maxx Tuning currently has for a price-busting $250. It has been widely reported that ACT uses an Exedy friction disc. Exedy vs. ACT is reportedly 36% more vs 39% more clamping force than the OEM setup--which is to say, very comparable.

Regarding transmission rebuild. For me, it all boils down to whether you can find a reputable transmission shop that knows what they're doing and doesn't cut corners. Once the tranny is rebuilt, if they don't measure preload and shim appropriately, your differential bearings will be toast not too far down the line. If you swap in a Quaife, the shop still has to check the preload and shim accordingly if there was a change. Some shops may not take the time to do that, just slap everything together and trust that the bearings won't fail in the relatively short industry standards for warranty coverage. Check the BBB in your area for complaints against the shop. Many transmission shops in my area have numerous complaints. I am going to do a tranny swap mainly because I can do it myself and I know of a shop that I trust in my area.

On the flip side, used transmissions, particularly those with some miles to them, may already have shot bearings or busted gears/synchros. Ideally you want to find a salvage yard close to you that offers a decent parts guarantee, has the tranny where you can check for free play in the axles, and where shipping cost isn't a factor if you can pick it up (or if need be, return it). Also when shopping, find out if they yard has a core fee on their trans (some are ~$100)that is not listed. Will jack the price up if you have to ship your old tranny back to them--again, not an issue if they are within driving distance.

 

anyone out there with an Infinti I30T transmission in a 4th gen Maxima or 01 Maxima anniversary edition LSD tranny in a 4th gen ?

im trying to figure out what exactly it is i need beyond a shadow of a doubt. Emailed Courtesy Nissan on a new tranny for my 97 and its in the 2,000 dollar range ! Ouch !

 

there is an 1997 i30 manual tranny with locking diff in mass for sale by an auto parts store found them in car-parts.com there in mass their phone number is 1-800-752-0146 and the tranny store part number is SRS31490

 

I read a post about someone putting in a 2k2 6spd out of a VQ35 into their 4th gen and just changing the driver-side axle, im sure thats just as strong or stronger than any 4th gen 5spd tranny. Im not sure if its got closer gear ratios or just a tall overdrive but it sure would be nice to have another gear to go for.

 

No the 6spd VQ35 Tranny does not bolt up to our 4th gen engine....Differnt bolt pattern all together...

-matt

 

You might want to get all your gears CRYO treated.

 

big d, do you have a website address for who does this ? sounds like a great idea

 

i think all the 2000-2001 5 speeds should bolt up, but out of the 5th gens, only the AE has the LSD correct? and i believe the quaife is better than the stock lsd's. and don't some 4th gen trannies had some differential problems or something that was corrected in the 5th gen? i am curious also as i want to do a 5 speed swap later on.