Hey All,

My 1998 4th Gen, 5-speed VLSD needs a rebuild so before it goes to the shop I have some questions.

I want to get the Altima L30 5th gear and 3.65 FD, I guess I have to find a transmission to gut them out of (1995 to 2001 Altima's?). RPM's wise id be cutting 200-300@ 75MPH?

Second at the track with my supercharger 1st,2nd and 3rd gear complement each other (seem linear in acceleration kinda) but once I shift into 4th it just falls flat on its face. is there an alternative to a lower ratio 4th gear? I'll probably increase my redline to 7k this summer so this should help when shifting into 4th but a lower ratio 4th would complement it even more.

While the guy is in there could I replace my 1st, 2nd and 3rd gears as they probably have the most abuse? I don't mind changing them back with stock ones. Could they be purchased from the stealership? Also can the VLSD be rebuilt if needed?

I downloaded nissan fast, I haven't installed it yet. Hopefully it helps a little but I wouldn't mind some help from people who have done this. I'm clueless when it comes to transmission.

Thanks

 

Anyone?

 

1st and 2nd are machined into the input shaft. The input shaft would need to be replaced, and it's always recommend to replace the gears in pairs as they develop a wear pattern together.
The VLSD is welded shut, and you likely won't find anybody willing to open and re-weld it. The silicone fluid does break down, and the diff doesn't work as good as new.
You want to replace 5th gear and final drive for more power? 5th is hardly used unless you're frequently doing over 110mph.

 

I'll probably just replace 5th gear just to lower my rpms a tad, I might aswell as I have a small leak where the axle goes into the transmission (needs to be addressed). Ill wait till I see the damage when the tranny gets taken apart. Thanks for the info.

 

You probably just need $10 axle seal replaced without removing trans. Maybe you're not aware of how much work is involved to just replace 5th gear!

 

Leaking driver side seal is a tell tale sign of worn diff. carrier bearings. These POS 5spd trannies fail at 60k like clockwork.

 

Haha, are you kidding? Put the crack pipe away before it puts you away. You can go into 5th gear at 25mph without lugging the motor. The maxima 5spd has some sort @ss gearing. You're looking at 3500rpm @80mph in 5th gear, IIRC. It has enough torque to do that at 2000rpm or even less.

 

OP should put in a d@mn 6spd and never worry about bearings, seals, or ratios ever again.

 

Reread my post again. Yes, 5th gear can be used to lug around town for boring driving. But for performance driving, like on the track, 5th gear is not really used.

Bearings going bad is probably a lack of maintenance. Changing trans fluid frequently is critical to remove moisture and particles that wear out the bearings. Those bearings have spun A LOT by the 60k mark, so replace them and keep driving.

 

Actually you need to reread your own post. You said nothing about track use.

In any case, a 6spd with the 4.133 FD is better for track use. Its ratios are much better and it can handle power a lot better than the Fisher Price 5spd tranny.

The differential bearing issue has been documented ad nauseum on this site and elsewhere. It's NOT a lubrication issue. I and others have had bearings fail with 30k syn. gear oil changes.

OTOH, my 6spd F250 superduty diesel with an ungodly amount of torque and 200k miles on it has NEVER had anything replaced on it except a clutch. Tranny bearings should not fail at 60k miles. That's ridiculous. But the ZF6 is built a lot better than the POS 5spd nissan tranny.

 

I guess it has a lot to do with how its driven.

My 95 has 209k on the original 5spd, and its fine. Its also bone stock though
Previous owner was a religious girl though and had receipts for all the maintenance.

 

From what I remember hearing, the cost of the Altima gears is about $300, and the drop in RPM while cruising on the highway is minimal (maybe 200 rpm), so you will probably never save the amount of money on gas that you put into that new 5th gear set. I say stay stock and put the money towards more gas

Can I ask what sort of racing you're doing that requires 4th gear? If you're not time trialing your car, trying to put in a new shorter 4th gear would again not be worth the money.

And like someone else said, there's nothing you can do for your VLSD except change the fluid often. Nobody will try to rebuild it for you.

If you're opening up the trans make sure you get quality Japanese made bearings for everything too. Stay away from the cheap crap.

 

i have also looked into a longer 5th gear, but if i wanted longer gears i would just go with a longer FD if i could find one that would work.

But i typically cruise at about 80-85mph, the 5spd is geared to short for that kind of speed. What i would honestly like to do is make 1st gear and 4th and 5th gear longer, 1st and 4th just a tad longer, 5th gear would be like a complete overdrive.

If i were dumping that kind of money into the transmission thou, 6spd. An 02-03 with the long 3.8FD.

 

I have the altima 5th, I got it for like 40 bucks. It was worth it for me. I still get 30mpg on the highway.

 

$40? Hell yes. $300? Hell no.

Lucky bastard....

 

anybody down to take a trip to FL to jack that trans? 5 finger discount.

 

Anyone still subscribed to this thread who can possibly answer my question in this other Altima 5th gear thread?

http://forums.maxima.org/all-motor/3...s-4th-gen.html

Would greatly appreciate it.