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Hi All,

After driving adams 260 when we drove it in Brissy and a few times back here in adelaide Im starting to come to terms with how much nicer these cars are to drive with a manual box. To top it off i drove a mates r33 on sunday home from work thats manual and again enjoyed it...

Has anyone done a conversion at home? eg. NO HOIST?

Once all parts were obtained would a weekend see it out?

Im aware of two other stag owners in SA that are currently contemplating the conversion so lets chuck some ideas around.... Yes ive read the fyi threads.

Theres actually a photo tutorial of doing one that i had a read through just last night. I will most likely be doing one also - going from my old 260RS to the RSfour will be hard - and it needs to have the engine pulled out with the work im doing to it anyway which will make it easier.

We could be manual conversion buddies :-)

look for alex cims thread about it.

kinds weights up all the bad about it

thread is called ' why i WONT do a manual conversion '

that thread, although well written, is a little full of it. he puts forward a convincing argument but the truth is it's not as hard as he makes it out to sound and definitely nowhere near as expensive if you shop around a little.

i'll eventually get around to doing mine (slightly different as i'm rwd only) - the only part i can't source at a decent price is the manual shifter surround and consol from an s2 factory manual :D

chris, sounds like you're finally giving in to adam haha

he massivly overpriced it.

900 for jim berry clutch

450 for lightened flywheel

650-950 for g-box

plus pedal/master/handbrake

interior: modify console, make boot from vinyl, use universal rubber boot.

~3k in parts

DIY or prolly 5-800 for labor

Yeah i read that and thought it overpriced. I'll be doing mine myself - with my neighbour anyway, hes a nissan mechanic which is a huge bonus.

If i do it i'll take pics, shouldnt be too hard sa the whole engine and gearbox are coing out for an engine swap anyway.

RB30DET, 3071R... :-)

Would be a shame to put an auto behind it haha

Yeah i read that and thought it overpriced. I'll be doing mine myself - with my neighbour anyway, hes a nissan mechanic which is a huge bonus.

If i do it i'll take pics, shouldnt be too hard sa the whole engine and gearbox are coing out for an engine swap anyway.

RB30DET, 3071R... :-)

Would be a shame to put an auto behind it haha

talk to brad, even a 3076 is on the small side for a RB30DET!

oh, and about the hoist - we've had plenty of gearboxs out with the car on jackstands. it's possible but so much easier if you can organise the lend of a hoist or even a pit cos working with heavy shit while on your back is hard work

talk to brad, even a 3076 is on the small side for a RB30DET!

Yeah ive been told to go straight for a 35 housing... might have to.

I'll be building that motor while driving it with a replacement long motor in place. Current engine is a bit rooted, but i'll just be using the head etc which will be getting tidied anyway etc.

I'll be changing to manual when it gets the 30DET, it'll run auto til then. Just i dont think the auto will enjoy the power of the 30DET.

he massivly overpriced it.

900 for jim berry clutch

450 for lightened flywheel

650-950 for g-box

plus pedal/master/handbrake

interior: modify console, make boot from vinyl, use universal rubber boot.

~3k in parts

DIY or prolly 5-800 for labor

I did my series 2 about 18 months ago. Several things can blow the budget out. If you use a pull type clutch which suits the late R32 gtr and all R33 gtr gearboxes, the clutch kits cost twice as much as using a push clutch and 89-93 R32 gtr gearbox. I used a $900 Jim berry clutch because they are good. You could use a $200 clutch if you want. The other parts that push the cost up is the centre console. You could loose a $1000 these days with the exchange rates. I have seen some butchered auto consoles, so you could save the money if you want. You will need to buy new the clutch pedal, bracket and associated parts to make things easy. You could also save money if you use a s/hand master and slave. You can use any RB flywheel, they are all the same, so $25 will find one.

Bascially you could do the conversion for as cheap as $1200-1300. Mine cost me approx $3000 in parts plus some labour. Not sure if you have tried to pick up a 4wd box, they wiegh approx 80-90kgs. So it is a bit hard, but possible to do it without a hoist. You will be busting your balls!! I did all the pedal conversion and master and handbrake install at home and then drove to a shop and paid a shop to swap the box over on a hoist. It is approx an extra hours work over a normal clutch replacement to do the conversion. Need to do a small wiring mod so car with start, fit manual spigot bush, mount flywheel, remove/cut auto cooler lines. Approx $500-750 in labour. I had to get some parts direct from Japan as nissan aust could not find them on their system. use www.japanparts.com

Basis costs

R32 push gearbox $300-800

Clutch (patrol), flywheel, machining, bolts $300

S/hand master and slave $50

Clutch line briaded $85

Clutch pedal $300

Brake pedal R33 s/hand $10-25

Oil $20-100

Spigot bush $20-30

Handbrake $25 make your own bracket and mod r33/r34 handbrake. $250 new stagea handbrake and bracket

Console $50-1000

Do not read Alex's thread.

I like your answers better than alex's, darrin.

so does the missus... How would that box go with the power id be putting out tho? And the RWD gearboxes mount up to the AWD fine?

I like your answers better than alex's, darrin.

so does the missus... How would that box go with the power id be putting out tho? And the RWD gearboxes mount up to the AWD fine?

no, the awd boxes have the front transfer case in the sump setup, you'll need to change to rwd sump if you go rwd box

thats not correct, a 2wd box will bolt upto a 4wd sumped rb25/26 and a gtr box will also bolt upto a 2wd sumped rb engine, they are the same bellhousings and both fit onto the motor which ever sump it has. if u choose a rb25 box from a gtst then obviously u are gonna loose the 4wd but it will bolt onto the motor fine, im not 100% sure on the gearbox crossmembers being the same though.

Edited by unique1
talk to brad, even a 3076 is on the small side for a RB30DET!

hey ryan are u being sarcastic? its hard to tell on forums lol :P i personally havent pushed the 3076r to its limits yet and havent drivin the car more than 20 mins all up as its unregoed so i cant make a final judgement till i can, i find the power lacking personally but i did have alot more power previously and it just feels too slow for me. anyway enough of the off topic :D

I did my series 2 about 18 months ago. Several things can blow the budget out. If you use a pull type clutch which suits the late R32 gtr and all R33 gtr gearboxes, the clutch kits cost twice as much as using a push clutch and 89-93 R32 gtr gearbox. I used a $900 Jim berry clutch because they are good. You could use a $200 clutch if you want. The other parts that push the cost up is the centre console. You could loose a $1000 these days with the exchange rates. I have seen some butchered auto consoles, so you could save the money if you want. You will need to buy new the clutch pedal, bracket and associated parts to make things easy. You could also save money if you use a s/hand master and slave. You can use any RB flywheel, they are all the same, so $25 will find one.

Bascially you could do the conversion for as cheap as $1200-1300. Mine cost me approx $3000 in parts plus some labour. Not sure if you have tried to pick up a 4wd box, they wiegh approx 80-90kgs. So it is a bit hard, but possible to do it without a hoist. You will be busting your balls!! I did all the pedal conversion and master and handbrake install at home and then drove to a shop and paid a shop to swap the box over on a hoist. It is approx an extra hours work over a normal clutch replacement to do the conversion. Need to do a small wiring mod so car with start, fit manual spigot bush, mount flywheel, remove/cut auto cooler lines. Approx $500-750 in labour. I had to get some parts direct from Japan as nissan aust could not find them on their system. use www.japanparts.com

Basis costs

R32 push gearbox $300-800

Clutch (patrol), flywheel, machining, bolts $300

S/hand master and slave $50

Clutch line briaded $85

Clutch pedal $300

Brake pedal R33 s/hand $10-25

Oil $20-100

Spigot bush $20-30

Handbrake $25 make your own bracket and mod r33/r34 handbrake. $250 new stagea handbrake and bracket

Console $50-1000

Do not read Alex's thread.

i have seen r32 gtr box's for 650 on here, up too 950 for the same style R33 box, i would personally avoid the later boxes to keep costs down!

hey ryan are u being sarcastic? its hard to tell on forums lol :D i personally havent pushed the 3076r to its limits yet and havent drivin the car more than 20 mins all up as its unregoed so i cant make a final judgement till i can, i find the power lacking personally but i did have alot more power previously and it just feels too slow for me. anyway enough of the off topic :P

i seem to remember you saying that on a 3L it was TOO responsive :D

well i want response - it'll be my daily. Im going the 30 for a bit more torque and quicker turbo spooling and obviously more outright power.

Would you recommend switching to just RWD or keeping the AWD by going a GTR box?

I might start amassing parts. The truckboy thread makes it seem very simple. Having a nissan mechanic on hand will probably help too.

i have seen r32 gtr box's for 650 on here, up too 950 for the same style R33 box, i would personally avoid the later boxes to keep costs down!

i seem to remember you saying that on a 3L it was TOO responsive :D

i did say that and thats my opinion, i think a gt3540 would be a much better option for a 3L :P

well i want response - it'll be my daily. Im going the 30 for a bit more torque and quicker turbo spooling and obviously more outright power.

Would you recommend switching to just RWD or keeping the AWD by going a GTR box?

I might start amassing parts. The truckboy thread makes it seem very simple. Having a nissan mechanic on hand will probably help too.

Hey mate i am running a 30 bottom end, 26 head and gt3076r at the moment with just 2wd sump but using a gtr manual box in my stagea. I went 2wd first to see if i like the 30 bottom end, i didnt wanna waste 1k on an adaptor plate and find i would rather a 26. I havent drivin the car bugger all as i said but from what i found its bloody responsive and pulls from 2000rpm onwards, its only making mid 300hp range at moment and it feels gutless (v8 style power with no hit when coming on boost). Im a bad one to judge though as i had a t04z before and alot more power so its hard for me compared to going from a stock setup to this.

It just seems abit to twitchy coming on boost when u dont want it, even half throttle and its screaming on boost. I think for some they will love it but im not entirely sold on it. The one big factor that really annoys me more than anything is the noise of the spooling of this turbo. Its sooo damn loud and sounds over the top for the power it makes, i dont want stupid whistling noises etc at low rpm when trying to put around the streets it sounds just as annoying as those super loud bov's that go off at 2kmh.

That is my main problem with it and i know it probably sounds cool to some people but i hate it. Its got the hks t51r whistle but with out the grunt lol. i must admit i thought it was cool for the first drive but about 5 min in it got on my nerves.

thats my opinion ill add to it when i can actually drive the thing if i put the single back on, its now got stock twins to pass the engineer and then i dont know if im gonna go 2860 -5s or back to the single and see how i like it, ill probably got the 3582r if i go single again though.

Edited by unique1

I just calculated my conversion costs = $1800.00 I did it myself. Its a long weekend if your on your own like I was. But its not rocket science, all the DIY info is here. I don't have a hoist. I bought the stagea clutch pedal bracket $89.00 + post I think, then I just bought an r33 gtst clutch pedal and master from a member on here for $100.00. Braided line for clutch $70.00 the handbrake lever $50.00 I don't have a manual console. etc. I think an rb30 with a 35/45 106 would be perfect for a stagea. Brad has removed his gearbox on his own without a hoist ( as have I ) so practice makes it easier. First time takes some manuvering. Get the best clutch you can afford thats the key. I have a spare gtr box here if some one wants it. cheep to local stagea owners :( And man that auto box is friggin heavy. Good luck guys you wont regret it.

Looks like i'll definitely be doin it then. I have access to a hoist which will help no doubt.

Where is local to you for that gearbox, mate?

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