LOJ Conversions - G3 to Nissan 6 speed

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racerjoe

racerjoe

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There's a new option on the market for 6 speed conversions using the Nissan transmission. The kit seems pricey, but the transmissions are cheap, making your all in conversion much more affordable than a T-56 swap. I'm curious how well these transmissions would fit in the tunnel of an A-body. A quick internet search revealed some used transmissions as low as $650. The gear ratios are much different than the T-56. Only 6th gear is overdrive and 1st gear is really low. You would likely have to run a 2.76 or 3.23 gear to make 1st gear usable. I don't really see this as a bad thing.


www.lojkits.com

Gen 3 Hemi Engine to Frontier VQ40DE Manual Transmission Adapter

Available for Pre-Order! Will begin shipping in May 2023! This is simply the best 6-speed option for your Gen 3 Hemi Powered Hotrod next to the TR6060 transmission! The 2005+ Nissan Frontier 6-Speed Manual Transmission shares its architecture with the robust Nissan 350Z CD009 transmission (The...
www.lojkits.com www.lojkits.com
 
To me, the whole reason to go through the hassle and expense of installing a six speed trans would be so I could run a 4.11-4.30 rear gear comfortably.
 
racerjoe said:
There's a new option on the market for 6 speed conversions using the Nissan transmission. The kit seems pricey, but the transmissions are cheap, making your all in conversion much more affordable than a T-56 swap. I'm curious how well these transmissions would fit in the tunnel of an A-body. A quick internet search revealed some used transmissions as low as $650.


Click to expand...
65wgn440 said:
To me, the whole reason to go through the hassle and expense of installing a six speed trans would be so I could run a 4.11-4.30 rear gear comfortably.
Click to expand...
Rear gear ratio is irrelevant if the gear reduction is being made in the transmission.
 
Here's a quick RPM vs. MPH table. This is with a 2.76 rear gear and a 25.5" tall tire. (I run a 25.5 tire).


1st2nd3rd4th5th6th
RPM4.3682.5181.7431.28310.769
150091624324154
2000132232435571
2500162739546989
30001933476482107
35002238557596125
400025446386110143
450028497196124161
5000315579107137179
5500356087118151197
6000386595129165214
65004171103139179232


And here is my current TKO500 with a 3.91- Very similar. Even though that 6 speed has 1 overdrive, the higher rear gear makes it operate like it has 2 overdrives.
1st2nd3rd4th5th
RPM3.271.981.3410.68
1500915222943
20001220293957
25001524364971
30001829435886
350021345168100
400024395878114
450027446587128
500030497297143
5500335480107157
6000365987116171
6500396494126185
 
65wgn440 said:
To me, the whole reason to go through the hassle and expense of installing a six speed trans would be so I could run a 4.11-4.30 rear gear comfortably.
Click to expand...

I agree with Joe, doesn't make a lot of difference. This Xterra trans paired with a 2.76 with would feel pretty similar to a close ratio T56 with 4.10's. And as a bonus, people throw away 2.76 gears while 4.10 gears are like gold.

In fact, the first gear in the D50 Xterra trans with a 2.76 rear gear would actually pull harder than a 2.66 first gear T56 with 4.10's. The Xterra trans drops off a little after that, but not by much.
 
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I've seen kits to swap the CD009 trans into other rigs, most of them hack off the bellhousing and bolt a new bellhousing on using the front retainer bolts. But I hadn't seen anything for Mopars so never paid more than passing attention to them. I did find GM kits for the CD009 though, using an adapter plate like the LOJ kit does.

The CD009 has different gear ratios, but not a lot different.

First thought on the D50/D40 trans is what a bonus for someone that is building a 4WD. T56 doesn't seem to have any options but this one can be had with a transfer case.

Only real drawback I can see is the 1-2 drop is almost as steep as the A833OD, 42% for the D50/D40 and 46% for the A833OD. After that the ratios are all pretty tight. I have an A833OD in my Duster and wouldn't say it is horrible, but I know it could be better.

I would bet it would be a great transmission. I think the 1-2 drop will cost time on a drag strip, but for something like road racing or the street, I bet it would be sweet. And if someone wasn't into finding every 10th on the quarter mile, who cares.

Bonus that you can run rear gears that you can pick up for a song (sometimes).
 
Kind of interesting. The overall gear ratios for a TKO with 3.91 gears are pretty similar to a D50/D40 with 2.93 gears. BUT the D50/D40 trans has one more gear to go. So kind of like running a TKO with an extra gear.

Gear___TKO____D50/D40____T56
1st____12.79____12.80_____10.91
2nd____7.74_____7.38______7.30
3rd____5.24_____5.11______5.33
4th____3.91_____3.76______4.10
5th____2.66_____2.93______3.28
6th_____________2.25______2.58

I added the close ratio T56 with 4.10 gears just for comparison sake.

Sure wish we had a "spreadsheet" option for charts like that similar to what some other forums have.
 
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DionR said:
Kind of interesting. The overall gear ratios for a TKO with 3.91 gears are pretty similar to a D50/D40 with 2.93 gears. BUT the D50/D40 trans has one more gear to go. So kind of like running a TKO with an extra gear.

Gear___TKO____D50/D40____T56
1st____12.79____12.80_____10.91
2nd____7.74_____7.38______7.30
3rd____5.24_____5.11______5.33
4th____3.91_____3.76______4.10
5th____2.66_____2.93______3.28
6th_____________2.25______2.58

I added the close ratio T56 with 4.10 gears just for comparison sake.

Sure wish we had a "spreadsheet" option for charts like that similar to what some other forums have.
Click to expand...
Well I made one to make the tables above. Just plug in rear gear ratio, and tire size. You can change trans ratios to see the difference. Happy to share with you if you want to mess around with it.
 
racerjoe said:
Well I made one to make the tables above. Just plug in rear gear ratio, and tire size. You can change trans ratios to see the difference. Happy to share with you if you want to mess around with it.
Click to expand...
Yep, I've got an excel spreadsheet (actually several) that gives me the splits, multiplications and RPM's at speed, etc. Thanks though!

I was complaining that cutting and pasting the data here makes for a mess. On ChallengerTalk, clipping from excel and pasting in the post makes a cell based entry similar to excel. Makes for a much nice way to post info.

At the same time, I guess I didn't really try it this time, and your post looks great. So maybe it is an option now and I should have tried it.
 
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