S15 Gearbox on a driftbrick

[Shade Phoenix]

So my s15 is going to be just a "drift brick" and ive heard lots of negative things about the gearbox.
So guys... Is it really that bad? And when can i count on it to go to gearbox heaven? and is there any better gearbox i could use when it isnt useable anymore, and i dont mean the HKS box.

Ive heard the z32 /300zx gearbox is a cheap and very good alternative, is it true?

And feel free to come with viewpoints and comment and good Advice's

 

[meddler]

An S14 5 speed is supposed to be stronger, but if you fix the circlip problem the 6 speeds are supposed to be reasonably strong.

I'm sure there is someone one here that will be able to tell you about the z32 box's

 

[JEZ 8553]

I heard the Z32 gearbox's had a very long gearing, not very good for drifting i imagine ?

Also there are conflicting reports from people on the 6 speed Nissan box. Most S14 owners will tell you it sux, however im sure ive read on here that someone with a good knowledge of mechanics (from experience not hear say) compared the 5 & 6 speed and found the 6 to be better!? Just needs that circlip issue sorted for reliability.

As always being very helpful.. im sure Nicely will probably be along soon to put everything right

 

[Nicely]

The internals of the 6MT are visually noticeable better quality than the 5MT.

A PERCENTAGE of 6MTs suffer the circlip issue, not all.

With no circlip issue, the 6MT is stronger than the 5MT.

Most of the people who rattle on about how weak the 6MT is have never even used the box.

5MTs are just as susceptible to breaking when you increase power.

The 6MT internals are the same as on the RX8 and IS300.

 

[ichi-go]

I heard the Z32 gearbox's had a very long gearing, not very good for drifting i imagine ?

Z32's 1st 2nd 3rd 4th gear has almost identical gear ratio as the sr20 5spd. Only the 5th gear is slightly longer so better top speed.

 

[Nicely]

The 5MTs gearing is far too long.

 

[Yakozan]

The Norweigian "No Secret" S15 ran the 6speed for a good while with about 480hp. Then it broke
But that amount of power would kill an S14 box too. The Swedish Blitz S15 ran a S14 box and broke it with about 370hp.

So if you're gonna run alot of power I would try to sell the 6speed and maybe put a 5speed S14 one in, just to reduce the cost. You could probobly buy 2 S14 boxes for the price you get for the S15 one.

Or you could get a Nismo 6speed. Not super expensive like most other aftermarket gearboxes. It's a bolt on job too unlike the Z32 one which nees some modification to fit.

 

[sillbeers15]

For the stock 6sp MT, > 400hp does not necessary means breaking the box....it is heavy track sessions with > 400hp that kills it.

I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[Shade Phoenix]

Okay so now i know a little more, and the owner of the "no secret" S15 wich in fact im buying my s15 of. told me that the "Magical Limit" was around 400-450BHP for it to hold a while.

Well, one option is to sell the s15 gearbox, but it may be kinda hard to sell it here in norway because "everyone" know it sucks. But i could try and see what i get, but what will be the right price ? and then buy a nismo gear box, but where can i get a nismo bolt on gearbox to a fair price?

Another option is to use the car with the gearbox and see how long it lasts and then buy a new one,
but what is this circlip issue? Im not that good in mechanichs and english to know what it is And how do i fix it if its an issue?

And if you got any other advices about modding an S15 into a driftcar i will gladly listen

 

[TonyS15]

I heard the Z32 gearbox's had a very long gearing, not very good for drifting i imagine ?

Also there are conflicting reports from people on the 6 speed Nissan box. Most S14 owners will tell you it sux, however im sure ive read on here that someone with a good knowledge of mechanics (from experience not hear say) compared the 5 & 6 speed and found the 6 to be better!? Just needs that circlip issue sorted for reliability.

As always being very helpful.. im sure Nicely will probably be along soon to put everything right

Thats true, this issue has been covered many times,myself have raised the point about this and had my box stripped down and checked through will no fault. Like nicely says only a percentage of people suffer a problem the gearbox specialist i took mine to has also had my S13 box before and had many a S14 5speed box and i asked him the same question to which his reply was as nicely says below.

The internals of the 6MT are visually noticeable better quality than the 5MT.

A PERCENTAGE of 6MTs suffer the circlip issue, not all.

With no circlip issue, the 6MT is stronger than the 5MT.

Most of the people who rattle on about how weak the 6MT is have never even used the box.

5MTs are just as susceptible to breaking when you increase power.

The 6MT internals are the same as on the RX8 and IS300.

I myself will be looking for a nismo box too but no rush really,there was an offer for a Nismo S15 box on here on group buy for 3, but need to find 3 people, also there are a number of places i have seen them forsale on the internet, maybe worth a look and also a quick email to the suppliers on here.

 

[japmadlad]

RHD japan will do a Nismo 6spd box for reasonable money. I think it was ?1700 delivered to my door in northern Ireland.
If I remember correctly I read that the reputation about the weak 6spd box in the s15 came about due to early owners of the cars abusing them with heavy track use & breaking them. As has been said. The 6spd is a pretty durable box, especially with the circlip issue sorted out. I would suggest either fix the circlip & run the standard box or just run the standard box as it is. If it breaks either fix it or replace it. No point wasting money if it will do the job

 

[JEZ 8553]

Id also imagine that a closer ratio 6 speed box would in effect suffer from more abuse than a 5 speed due to the greater amount of gear changes, especially on track ?

 

[Shade Phoenix]

But could anyone explain like me what circlip is?

 

[JEZ 8553]

http://forum.s15oc.com/showthread.php?t=2196&highlight=circlip

http://forum.s15oc.com/showthread.php?t=1150&highlight=circlip&page=4

Theres quite a few threads about it if you search "circlip"