Transmission conversion 4 speed to 5 speed FSW571B.

[Nissanman]

I have created an album to document the conversion of my '65 SP310 from the factory 4 speed transmission to a modern Nissan 5 speed, an FSW571B.
I intend to do this conversion, as time permits, over our southern winter.
Anyhoo, here is the link for your viewing pleasure: -

No, it isn't! Shutterfly has cocked up all my albums and the new link is in a later post!

My apologies, but out of my control

And it is a FSW571b not FS5W71B

[Curtis]

As they say, bully for you. I tore down my 4 speed, put in a whole bunch of new parts, put it in the car and it didn't shift quite right. So out it came and in went a good used one. That was the end of my attempts.

I took it along with my 5 speeds to our local expert. He fixed it up and I have a spare 4 speed now should I ever need it. The 5 speeds are getting fixed including the 5th gear being welded. He recently looked at one for one of our other local guys and someone had welded the main shaft nut on. Another sins of previous owners.

The shifter hole took some time to get the correct size from members.

[Daryl Smith]

Nissanman,
That will be a very nice upgrade.
Assume you know the ratios of the trans you are building? The combinations you put together re: ratios of rear end and transmission, and tire size will dictate how happy you will be with it.
Will you have to modify the frame?
You will be down on power with the 1500 engine, but, with 1st to 4th gears close to the 1600 4 spd ratios, a 5th near the .852 of the roadster tranny, and rear diff in the 3.9 - 4.11 range, with stock size tires should work well for you....
Are the diesel transmissions reasonable to find in Oz? Few and far between up here, but still a few around.

[Nissanman]

As best as I can tell, here are the stock ratios and gear gaps for the new 5 speed compared with the data for the factory 4 speed: -

Gear ratio comparison.pdf

I don't know what the donor vehicle for the 5 speed was, the ratios don't line up with any of the transmissions that are listed in my modest library of Nissan/Datsun passenger car Workshop Manuals
Anyhoo, you can see that they are very similar.

This will be the only change to the drive train, everything else is stock.

No frame mods.
From what I can see, I might need a modified rear transmission mount depending on how the holes line up.

I really don't know about the availability of the diesel parts.
Lou Mondello in Melbourne Vic. [Oz] had one which he sold to me.
I was originally going to build an adapter plate to graft parts together but this front housing is the duks gutz.

[Daryl Smith]

The only trans I've seen documented with the 3.55 first gear was a diesel. Obviously wasn't that. Different setups in Oz I guess.

Just out of curiosity, what is the stock tire size for the 310? Equivalent modern radial size?

[Nissanman]

The Owners Handbook quotes the tyre size as 5.60 x 13.
That equates to a ridiculous 142 x 13
I'm running a set of Khumo 175/75 x 13 tyres which 580mm [23"] in diameter.
A tall tyre compared to stock which would be I think in the order of 560mm.

[Daryl Smith]

Well, the 1st 4 gears are pretty close to stock so you should get used to it pretty quick.

Running it through the spreadsheet, assuming a 3.89 rear ratio:
@3000 rpm
1st - 15 mph
2nd - 24 mph
3rd - 38 mph
4th - 54 mph
5th - 66 mph

60 mph @ 2723 rpm in 5th
70 mph @ 3177 rpm in 5th

This should actually work fairly well with a stock 1500 engine, tho you'll likely be shifting back to fourth for the bigger hills.

[Nissanman]

Hehehehe!
Hills are always a challenge for the little 1500, especially with a passenger on board.
I'm looking forward to the experience.
I'm over the lack of pleasure the current box is giving me and high revving on the highway
Thanks for the feed back, that info. is interesting

[Nissanman]

OK, I'm getting close to removing the old 4 speed.
I have always assumed that the transmission can't be removed with the engine still in the car, is that true brains trust?
The gearbox x member is removable and if I don't need to pull the engine I won't.
Advice please

[spl310]

The correct answer is that you need to pull the engine and transmission as a unit.

[Curtis]

......
The gearbox x member is removable and if I don't need to pull the engine I won't.
Advice please

Do you mean the small piece for the rubber mount with 8 bolts? I wish I could remove the transmission separate. In some ways it seems easier to just remove the whole thing anyway. I can remember trying to get a transmission up in there on the Chevy without a transmission jack. Ugh!

I can pull the roadster engine in about an hour or so. Biggest pain is the exhaust manifold which has now been replaced with a header.

[Nissanman]

Thanks folks, I was afraid of that.
Oh well, back to the original strategy

[Nissanman]

Making progress on the conversion.
I have added some more pics. to my Shutterfly album if you would like to see where I'm at
See later post for link.

[Nissanman]

Dear OH dear! It has taken time and a half but I actually drove the car today around the block to try out the 5 speed conversion!
Transmission is just dandy, but I only used the first 3 gears so far. I don't see any reason why the remaining 2 will be a problem
How sophisticated is it to reverse out of the driveway without it jumping out of gear or being able to select 1st whilst rolling forward without double de-clutching
So far it is all go.
Tomorrow I'll go on a real shakedown cruise on the Expressway to experience the fruit of my labours.
I feel chuffed that all the attention to detail and preparation has paid off with a very nice improvement to the car

IMG_0359.jpg

[Nissanman]

At last, I have my Fairlady back on the road after a transmission transplant and some other performance improvements. I now have an FS5W71B trans. mated to the original G15 engine and all is well. Went for a spurt on our local expressway today and got into overdrive. 100Kph @ 2,500 RPM, much better than 4k plus RPM. The ratios are very similar to the OEM 4 speed with a 0.8 5th gear. I have documented all the details for anyone who is planning a similar conversion.
All smiles at the moment.
Tomorrow, my son and I, are taking our cars to a Shine and Coffee at my grandson's High School.
Ben has a 1973 240Z with a 2.8L turbo and I have the 1.5L Fairlady.
With our warm weather approaching we hope to do some cruising and showing as a team!