Not your typical application... I recently finished my VQ 240sx and I'm having problems with shifting into 3rd gear... The clutch/flywheel are both factory, I actually bought the engine and tranny togethor so they haven't even been seperated as far as I know.

Anyways, this past weekend, I ran my 3rd autocross event with the car and it was the first course that I had to use any other gear than 1st and 2nd. At first I thought I wasn't clutching in all the way, however, I later realized that it wasn't something on my end, it was something with the tranny/clutch, etc... At higher RPM, (6000+?), the car will not go into third. I had to coast a bit and once the rpms fell, I was able to shift it into 3rd. It wasn't until my last run that I really realized what was going on, so in hindsight I could have just shortshifted...

So, where should I start on getting this fixed? My rev limiter is set at 7000 but I am pretty sure that the revs were well below the factory 6600 limiter before I could shift into 3rd. The only thing on my end that would have changed from factory is the clutch MC and line. The MC I am using it 5/8 which I believe is the same as the 350z. It feels like my clutch is fully engaging, but could it just be that my pedal needs some adjustment? Or have others had similar problems with 03/04 6 speeds? Could it be a synchro or pressure plate problem?

Any insight would be appreciated...
Thanks

 

The 03 and 04 transmissions had synchro issues in 3rd and 5th gear. I would suggest rebuilding it or getting a CD009 transmission.

 

Is there anyway I could verify this tranny is one that would give me trouble? I know there is a serial number of some sorts on the side of the tranny...

 

Look on the side of the transmission to see if it has CD009 stamped on it, if not then you have the older transmission which are known to have synchro issues.

Sorry I cannot be more helpful.

 

No problem, I appreciate your prompt replies ... already given me a leg up on what my next step will be... I will get under the car within the next few days to see if the serial number has the 'cd009' sequence. Used trannies are reasonably priced, so worse case I'll swap it out...

 

OK, there is like a little metal badge on the passenger side of the transmission, I am guessing this is not where I could find the 'cd' number. Where might I find the cd nomenclature on the trans?

 

CD0 #1 on drivers side... time to get new tranny

 

I have done quite a bit of searching and I can't seem to find a whole lot about the cd009 swap, hopefully that is because it is straightforward

A few questions....
- Are the only differences between the two the clutch for and pivot ball?
- Are the shifter linkages the same?

Thanks

PS ANY advice to be offered would be much appreciated !!

 

Yes and yes. Its a straightforward swap, just go for it.

 

in 99% of cases it will be easier just to get a cd009 trans. if you really wanted to you could update your trans to CD009 specs OR there are some modifications you can do to make synchros work more effectively at higher RPM, etc. but unless you know exactly what to do you're probably better off starting with the best thing available off the shelf which is the CD009 rather than trying to mod the thing to CD009 specs or altering the effectiveness of your current synchros.

 

OK, so I bit the bullet and got a 6 speed from a 2005 350z. The actual castings in the tranny look just like mine, CD0 #1, on the passenger side. However, there is a sticker on the drivers side that says cd009? Think this is legit?

 

Regardless not ALL older trannies have bad syncros... just more of them do. Personally I've never had any issues with mine ('04) and I've pounded it at the track over a dozen times.

 

Nevertheless, I didn't shell out cash in order to get an older tranny

Just trying to confirm that I was sold what I was told that I was being sold....