I'm planning on bringing my '98 I30t to perhaps have the tranny rebuilt next week and I was thinking if it was worth it for me to switch to a 5th gen clutch while this work is being done. I got the car a year ago with 66k, and now the car only has 77k on it. This was my first 5 speed and learned on this car. I'm not perfect but, reading through the posts, I see that the 5th gen clutch is smoother. Should I switch this now or wait? I don't peel out/burnout, or drive very aggressive so the current clutch may or may not last a while, I don't know how the car was maintained. Just wanted to see your thoughts on this...

 

IMO if you don't really drive aggressively at all then stick with the stock one. I learned how to drive on my original 4th gen clutch last year and ended up switching to the 5th gen setup. I love it. But i grabs really hard because of the pressure plate. It you want smooth and gentle then go for the 4th gen. I drive pretty aggressive so it fits me well.

 

I guess I can expect some more life out of that clutch right? I guess it all depends and will have it inspected, but 77k shouldnt be a concern after reading some posts on 190k and greater on their clutches. I've babied my clutch but I've seen friends borrow my car and not be so forgiving. That's why I no longer let friends show me that they "Know" how to drive a 5speed.

 

Replace it now. Might as well, while the transmission is out.

 

id replace it anyway, might as well save yourself the time and labour and replace it now.

 

Will the 5th gen be less smooth on the launch. I'm pretty smooth now, but still working on making 1 to 2 a smooth transition. Will changing the clutch to a 5th gen change the shifting? Sorry for all the questions, but thanks for the responses so far.

 

Depends on how fast your are used to depressing the clutch. It grabs very hard compared to 4th gen. So I guess you could say less smooth. yes. The only think that will change is the grab feeling. It' smuch harder.

 

Replace it now.

 

+1 Replace it. Mine went at 96K.

 

Two things. First, buy a new transmission (www.everythinnissan.com). It is only 1700 dollars. A rebuild is usually at least a 1000 to 1300 dollars. I have had my 5spd vsld rebuilt and it SUCKS. I had it rebuilt and reverse would not engage smoothly. I pulled it back out and had it fixed and it went smoothly for a few thousand and I now hear bearing whine and 5th i have to double cluthc to engage smoothly. Everything I've heard is that very few have had one rebuilt that was worht it! For several hundred dollars you can have a new transsmission and it is well worth it. I know I wish I would have.

 

Oh yeah! The 5th gen clutch is great. It has good grip and smooth operation. If your modded than it is a great option. Hell would not hurt on stock (probably).

 

I'm planning to have Rob Tilley and Dave do the rebuild. I've heard good things about their work and the fact that they know the Max,I30 like the back of their hand makes me more comfortable. I hear year ya thought about the new tranny, but was the 1700 the VLSD? From my research, a new tranny can have the same problems down the road.

 

It appears the VLSD version will be $1943+ shipping from them.

Dave

 

I hope you're not talking about the Rob here in Maryland. He rebuilt my tranny before he did the 5th gen clutch. First he had my car for like 2 weeks or more, never answered my calls, and now the car is acting weird and everytime I try to get in touch with him he's not there. Also his shop has been sold.

The bearings went in my tranny and it was running horribly. After the rebuild it was very very strong and grabs excellently. Only problem I have with the rebuild is that depending on how hard I pull from the line I have a bad power loss in 1st gear. This may have nothing to do with the rebuild but I at least wanna get it checked out.

 

Different Rob.

Dave

 

I got mine brand new, VLSD, 5spd, shipped for $1735 from Scottsdale to Denver. Infact, a VLSD is cheaper than the open differential version from Nissan . Since you are East Coast, the shipping might be more but give em a call and see what they can ship it for.

And you will not be having any problems from a brand new one for another 50-75k... I'd like to see a rebuild last that long. BLACKDEMON and I have pulled his tranny like 3 times for rebuilds. Every time he never gets more than a few thousand miles before problems start popping back up. A whinny bearing here and grinding gear there... . Its all been under the warranty but still, its a pain in the @ss to pull it all the time.

 

OUCH!! Dave is right, I just checked and the price went up to $1943.21 and the LSD is now more than the non LSD. That sucks...

 

My clutch started slipping around 130k miles. I drive kind of aggressively, but have only owned the car since 90k. If you're gonna put $2000 into your tranny you might as well spend another $200 for your clutch parts and not have to pay the labor twice.

I got a 5th gen clutch a few weeks ago. Post-break in (I'm at 1500 since install), the clutch seems slightly more grabby than stock, but it's not a massive difference. I accidently kill it at stop lights more often. ;-) I can easily chirp 2nd with Kumho Ecstas, but I dunno if that's any different than stock, it's been so long since my clutch wasn't slipping.

 

I bought a rebuilt tranny from a decent transmission rebuilding company almost a year ago, and the damn thing almost grenaded on me after about six months. I've been on a dgeesaman-rebuilt tranny since then without any serious problems; occasionally getting into first at a stop light is a bit tough but it's been fine otherwise.

EDIT: In case there is still any confusion, Rob = Rob Tilley a.k.a. TILLEYS99, and David = dgeesaman (above).