Ok so every thread i've searched says the 01 (anniversary edition) LSD tranny is the best one that is compatible with a 4th gen. However i cannot find out why. I know that the 01 pressure plate and clutch are stronger than a standard 4th gen but as far as the tranny itself i cannot find any differences by putting the FSM's side by side.
Im doing the 5speed conversion and im shopping around for the tranny. Only LSD trannies in Canada (97-01) have 100+ miles on them and cost around 1000 bucks shipped. Any used tranny that i potentially buy im gonna have to have inspected and possibly rebuilt. Or i can buy a brand spanking new one for $2000 from a dealership.

Need some input and thank you in advance

 

Limited slip diff in 01 tranny. It's very nice. Also supposedly didn't suffer from diff bearing failure like so many 4th gens. The driver axle will be different between the two as well. but other than that it's exactly the same (bolts right up to a 4th gen)

 

my 4th gen auto has locking diff right now and i know they make 4th gen 5speeds with locking differential as well.
Other than the bearing failure mentioned above, any other differences?

 

No USDM Maxima until 01 had an LSD from the factory. The I30t however had LSD from the start in 1996. Many belive that the 96-99 I30t LSD tranny is the same as the 01 AE tranny, which could be true. The LSD drivers side axle from all years fits. Also some Maximas in Canada had LSD, which are the same as the others. If I were you Id just find one with the lowest mileage at the best price.

 

Are you sure about that? Because that would mean all 4th's with LSD were ES models from Canada? What am I missing here?

 

ur missing nothing...the only LSD trannies for the A32 chasis in North America were I30t Auto or Stick...and Canadian ES models

 

So how did some people end up with LSD stock in Maxima SE's?

 

who has an LSD tranny in the US that hasnt swaped their trans....i am pretty sure everyone atleast here has swapped an LSD tranny into their 4th gen

 

I have a Canadian 1998 Max SE...stock LSD, vin code "v" and does 2 wheel burnouts.

Trust me I have a LSD

 

again WE already stated Canadian models came with LSD....usdm models didnt come with it

 

well putting the FSM's side by side ive come to the conclusion that 97-01 lsd trannies are identical, at least for us canadians.
now its just a matter of wether i should buy one with at least 100k miles on it and get it inspected/rebuilt or just buy a new one.
Either way, im lookin at 1500-2000

 

your nuts get a rebuilt for like 800

 

hehe tell me from where cuz im going nuts looking for one

 

99 auto i30 base trim w/ lsd here

 

Well in 97 some minor changes were made, things like syncros.

 

The 5th gen has a different part number on 3rd gear. I can't see any difference between the gears looking at them side by side, but the part numbers are indeed different for whatever reason.

You didn't ask but it sortof goes to the heart of this discussion - like JSutter said the 95-96 spd had a single synchro 1st gear, whereas the 97-2001 have a double synchro 1st gear. Other than that I have not been able to detect any differences from side by side comparison of them.

 

ahhh i love the org
so much helpful input

thanks guys

 

i think if you use the 01 AE 5spd your 2nd gear will look rediculous because of the angle.

 

Can we have a little discussion on the AE LSD and shifter position. I saw that thread where 1st looked 90 degrees and 2nd looked like it was laying on the floor. Some people think the AE is the same as the I30t LSD. If that is the case then shouldn't our fellow i30t LSD swappers have the same shift position problem?