1GGTE 6 speed conversion j160 - worth it?

[eightsixboy]

Hi all,

Been contemplating which mod to do on my z20 next and have been considering going a six speed.

Who on here has done the j160 conversion and was it worth it?

The main reason i want to do it is I loved having a 6 speed in my Sti i had a while ago, i can only imagine it helping the
1g feel quicker.

I know they tend to have reliabilty issues with big power but in only going to be pushing around 200rwkw so looking for the most responsive setup possible for street and track.

What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

[xero]

as far as i know, given the other cars that gearbox is in, that power is about all they can handle. depending on how its used and abused of course.

first question, are you sure it will bolt up to the engine (granted its going from 1G to 1G but stuff could have changed)?
second will it line up with the standard crossmember and gear stick hole in the floor?
third, if it is too long/short you will need your tailshaft modified which is more $$$$ that could be spent elsewhere.
fourth, having 6sp vs previous 5sp will throw out the speedo reading. more $$$ spent to adjust the speedo so it reads correctly.

while a good idea in theory, things start to add up pretty quickly if your not careful...

[eightsixboy]

The one I'm looking at is from a 1gfe powered is200 so it should bolt straight up to a 1ggte.

The only issue I have seen so far is the shifter location. It sits around 5 inches to far back. But I have seen some diy'ing on the net so if I can get a welder or get someone to modify it for a few hundred it wouldn't be to bad.


One real positive thing about the gearboxes is there cheap 300-500.


I guess it comes down to whether it'll last with around 200rwkw and 350+nm or torque. I'm not it will unfortunately.

[eightsixboy]

DSC_1272.jpg

This is basically how it would have to be modified, like this or with the Leen kit that's available, but that's more $$$

[ddeane]

Do a search. I have posted a number of threads on this. But to cover a couple of the issues raised. Yes it will be a direct bolt up. Clutch may be a problem as the slave is on the lhs. Have not done the conversion on a Z20 but there is a strong chance it is 50 or 100mm further back for the gear shift. Will certainly have to modify the xmember. I think the tailshaft will be ok.
Will not effect the speedo as it is driven by rotations of the output shaft.

As for strengths between it and a W58 I believe they are much the same. I have been running one behind a 230+rwkw 1gg for over 10 years. I have a bit of a whine in the 'lay shaft' but that is from driving it in 2008 without oil for a few ks. I do 2nd gear burnouts and starts at the hillclimbs and it has handled that real well. I have heard a number of comments that they will not handle high power (torque) but check the source of the comments. Yes I am sure that you would be looking at some issues if you were putting it behind a 300+rwks 1j. But I am sure that would explode the W58 that you already have.

Now for the good bit - the gear ratios are great for the 1gg engine and would be even better in a heavier car such as yours. The gearbox is a delight to use and unlike a w58 that will lock you out on high speed shifts, the j160 will handle 8000 shifts smoothly.

Yea I am real happy with the box on my car and the new build is getting a J160 as well and I am look at closer to 300rwkw in that car.

Craig

[oldeskewltoy]

If you need the shifter 5" forward... you need the LEEN shifter conversion





LEEN has developed the J160 to work with the 4AGE... I've got one in my car...




I left the shifter in the 1G location and modified my floor






As far as fragility... the J160 is VERY similar to the Nissan S15 6 spd... in essence they are the same. The Nissan boys break their gearboxes when their torque exceeds 250#/ft give or take a bit. In their case it appears a clip inside the gearbox gives way and the whole thing goes bomb after that. There MAY be an except in the J160... this is because the J160 case is a bit more substantial then the S15 case... and so may provide more rigidity

[eightsixboy]

Thanks ddeane, I was hoping someone would chime in who has used this box behind a 1g. What final drive gearing are you running? I currently have 4.5 and won't be changing that.

I have seen the Leen shifter kit but looks like a lot of work, might be easier to make my own relocation without cutting into the box.

[ddeane]

Running a f series 4.1 in a TA23.

Also the j160 is EXACTLY the same box as the S15 box, the RX8 box and the S200 Honda box. Slightly different gearing for each but mechanically the same. And I am sure you can break any box if you treat it hard. I am still confident that the j160 is of similar strength to a w58. It would appear that the breakages in the s15 seem be related to the 3rd gear retaining circlip slipping out due to lay shaft flex. There has been some attempt to deepen the retaining 'slot' and I have heard of people welding it in place. But the issue seems to be on big hp engines that are treated badly.

Craig

[eightsixboy]

Thanks Craig.

I just hope the weight of my z20 is not an issue though, I have removed around 100kg from the car so it is a lot lighter but it would still be 100kg or so heavier then a s15.

[Valkyrie]

What is the car going to be used for? That will determine whether or not the six speed will be suitable.

[eightsixboy]

80% street 20% track.

The car get driven rarely on the street now, maybe once a week so it'll have less then 5,000kms per year.

The only thing I would worry about is track work, especially since 3rd and 4th would be the gears used the most. I think weight might be the biggest issue, weight along with sticky tyres will put a lot of stress on the box.

I'm still weighing up the options, 6 speed with lower power or 5 speed with more power (200rwkw +).

One other thing to remember I guess is that besides the S15 all the other engines this box was behind were n/a.

[mattysshop]

the 3rd-4th gear change is proberbly the nicest part of these boxes!

i think tyre size/compound, and vehicle weight would be significant factors here as mentioned.. what type of track driving?? drift - or grip?

i have a mate who owns a WRX with big VF turbo, making around 210kw at all 4's.. just using a stock 94/95 5 speed box, which are definitly confirmed to be made out of glass.. he has not replaced one... but he doesn't launch it like an Evo, but powers through gears at lakeside and queensland raceway with them..

[Valkyrie]

If you drift it then it will go bang. An S14 five speed is stronger than a S15 six speed for drifting purposes.

My W57 has lasted without issue in my RA60 with a 1JZGTE, and it has done ~10 drift days. A good quality clutch will help keep the gearbox alive. The RA60 is quite light which helps as well. I have run new and old tyres as well.

[eightsixboy]

Definitely wont be drifting the car, only grip or occasional motorkhana stuff.

I have a heavy duty clutch but its nothing ridiculous, basically a standard friction plate with upgraded pressure plate.

I know all to well about wrx gearboxes, they really dislike big power, im surprised your mates one has survived, would hope the j160 box is alot stronger.

The W boxes seem really good, must be similar in strength to a rb25 box, or very close anyways.

[ddeane]

I have attached a web site that deals with the j160 in a S15. http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=362303 Like you I use my car for motor sport and the new evolution should have around 300rwkw. But if my interest was in drag racing or drift I would be looking at different options for a gearbox. And I am pretty sure I would be not using a 1ggteu.

Cheers Craig

Definitely wont be drifting the car, only grip or occasional motorkhana stuff.

I have a heavy duty clutch but its nothing ridiculous, basically a standard friction plate with upgraded pressure plate.

I know all to well about wrx gearboxes, they really dislike big power, im surprised your mates one has survived, would hope the j160 box is alot stronger.

The W boxes seem really good, must be similar in strength to a rb25 box, or very close anyways.