Performance Z Manual Swap

[Thefunk]

Sadly I’ve been in similar situations like you. Purchased a car of the lot instead of getting it built the way I wanted too inpatient. After a while started to dislike it so I traded it and took my lumps. I learned a valuable lesson get what you want don’t skimp on options, because of price. Lastly trying to swap out transmissions will be a nightmare and you might end up with an un drivable vehicle and lose even more money when you have to dump it.

Well a friend of mine just swapped his auto 7spd with a manual 6spd in his 370z, so far no issues. I honestly don't see how a swap will cost more than selling my Z and getting a used manual (as mentioned above with all the other steps involved).

 

[Meg_Z]

Well a friend of mine just swapped his auto 7spd with a manual 6spd in his 370z, so far no issues. I honestly don't see how a swap will cost more than selling my Z and getting a used manual (as mentioned above with all the other steps involved).

Good you have a great source of information to help you do the swap. I never understood why folks come on forums like this asking for advice and then do exactly what they intended to do in the first place? In the end you’re making the note so do to it whatever you like, because you have to drive it!

 

[thesilverbullet]

what’s involved with installing the clutch pedal? drill hole in firewall or is the hole already there? that along would be a show stopper for me.

i think the car is too valuable for a hack job.

i’d pull mods and sell. ‘ 26 here i come.

or enjoy it as is - are you faster than your boy’s 370?

 

[50thZ]

Ditto

 

[Thefunk]

Good you have a great source of information to help you do the swap. I never understood why folks come on forums like this asking for advice and then do exactly what they intended to do in the first place? In the end you’re making the note so do to it whatever you like, because you have to drive it!

I didn't swap the trans though just starting a conversation. What's with the tude?

 

[Thefunk]

what’s involved with installing the clutch pedal? drill hole in firewall or is the hole already there? that along would be a show stopper for me.

i think the car is too valuable for a hack job.

i’d pull mods and sell. ‘ 26 here i come.

or enjoy it as is - are you faster than your boy’s 370?

Yeah I'm not determined to swap just playing with the idea and trying to get some input and perspectives that's all. I'm already faster than him and will probably be even more now that he's manual .

 

[mikecarpage]

Yea, I'm on the side of testing the market of a trade or listing your car for sale and purchasing an M/T car. Deals are out there to be had imo, but either way you'll take a hit. I don't know your payoff situation but if you're willing to shell out $5k for parts and labor to complete a swap, just get an actual M/T car. You can opt for a sport M/T, a used car, or re-new and find a new Performance M/T on discount.

I feel like the car is still fairly new, still being built, and M/T cars are available. It isn't some no longer available/hard to find car where a swap will set it apart (think BMW E60 M5). And to me, it isn't the same as Z Sport owners who perform a diff swap. do what you feel is best for you.

 

[Thefunk]

Yea, I'm on the side of testing the market of a trade or listing your car for sale and purchasing an M/T car. Deals are out there to be had imo, but either way you'll take a hit. I don't know your payoff situation but if you're willing to shell out $5k for parts and labor to complete a swap, just get an actual M/T car. You can opt for a sport M/T, a used car, or re-new and find a new Performance M/T on discount.

I feel like the car is still fairly new, still being built, and M/T cars are available. It isn't some no longer available/hard to find car where a swap will set it apart (think BMW E60 M5). And to me, it isn't the same as Z Sport owners who perform a diff swap. do what you feel is best for you.

The payoff is the issue for me, still owe more than the car is worth. I'll just live with it.

 

[_hz]

If you pay the money you are willing to spend on the swap on your loan instead, you will probably end up with positive equity quite quickly and be able to sell it unless you paid an insane amount for the car. If you can’t afford to get out of the car I don’t think you should pay to make it even more expensive to get out of later either. You will have a tough time trying to sell it if you do the swap. It’s just a bad financial choice when it would be so much easier and cheaper to just trade it for a manual, there are tons of dealer incentives if you can find a new ‘24 right now.

 

[Meg_Z]

I didn't swap the trans though just starting a conversation. What's with the tude?

I don’t have an attitude at all, you posted a question and the vast majority of the answers were it’s not worth it. Your reply was my friend did it with his 370 and it was pretty easy. It’s your car so do what you want. Now if you do it I hope you post the results here, because I’m willing to bet there’s a few who want to do it also.

 

[50thZ]

From Car and Driver-
"The fastest tested Nissan Z is 2024 Nissan Z NISMO Coupe, which was able to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It was able to reach the 1/4 mile in 12.4 seconds at 114 mph, according to Car and Driver." I believe the NISMO is auto only.

 

[Thefunk]

I don’t have an attitude at all, you posted a question and the vast majority of the answers were it’s not worth it. Your reply was my friend did it with his 370 and it was pretty easy. It’s your car so do what you want. Now if you do it I hope you post the results here, because I’m willing to bet there’s a few who want to do it also.

Well "not worth it" isn't an answer to the original question but I get why people would say that.

 

[5amp5on]

From Car and Driver-
"The fastest tested Nissan Z is 2024 Nissan Z NISMO Coupe, which was able to go from 0 to 60 mph in 3.9 seconds. It was able to reach the 1/4 mile in 12.4 seconds at 114 mph, according to Car and Driver." I believe the NISMO is auto only.

Nissan has been quite clear that the reason they put the auto in the Nismo was because it's FASTER than the manual. I'm sure they used skilled testers that know what they are doing with the manual transmission and they could not beat the automatic. It's just a well tuned transmission that performs exceptionally well in this vehicle setup.

I understand some people want the experience of the manual but if you are looking for performance the auto is the way to go. You can always paddle shift and pretend you have a clutch pedal or install a dummy clutch pedal that you can push as you paddle shift if you really wanted to.

 

[Meg_Z]

Nissan has been quite clear that the reason they put the auto in the Nismo was because it's FASTER than the manual. I'm sure they used skilled testers that know what they are doing with the manual transmission and they could not beat the automatic. It's just a well tuned transmission that performs exceptionally well in this vehicle setup.

I understand some people want the experience of the manual but if you are looking for performance the auto is the way to go. You can always paddle shift and pretend you have a clutch pedal or install a dummy clutch pedal that you can push as you paddle shift if you really wanted to.

Nothin worse than fake shifting automatics. Shift paddles with a dual clutch I understand. Faster by what less than a quarter second, but not more enjoyable to drive. In the end to each their own.

 

[5amp5on]

Nothin worse than fake shifting automatics. Shift paddles with a dual clutch I understand. Faster by what less than a quarter second, but not more enjoyable to drive. In the end to each their own.

Agree 100%. My 1998 six speed Z28 was probably the most fun I've ever had before the Z.

The only problem for me is people trashing this auto transmission like it's not a good setup, that's just nonsense. Everyone has a preference but that does not mean the other way is not a good system. This same auto transmission is used in some very high end vehicles all over the world, it's a very nice reliable "bullet proof" transmission. Nissan did good with it.

All that being said, it would take more guts than I have to swap a drivetrain system on a brand new car like this. I wish the OP nothing but luck and look forward to the posts if he does it!