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Thought I would do a quick update. I received some critical parts, and I am getting closer to having the engine and trans mated together. Once I get the trans on the engine I plan to get it all in the car, start working on getting everything plumbed up.
My swap headers came in from CXRacing. Once the engine is in I will install them. I am pretty happy with the quality of the headers considering what they cost in respect to other E36/LS swap headers.
The other critical part that arrived is the Collins trans adapter needed to mate my CD009 to the my T56 bell housing. I can't say enough about this adapter. It is a super nice piece, and a very well thought out kit. It is a shame it will never be seen again once everything is bolted up.
Got the bell housing mounted, and cut the CD009 bell house off. I ran out of break cleaner and time so I will have to wait till next weekend to get everything bolted together.
Should have more progress next weekend, and the goal is to have the engine in the car by the end of the month. That would be a big milestone, and will allow me to start getting everything plumbed. After that I will need to finish up the brakes, suspension, and drive train. Then it will be time to paint. There is still a long way to go, but it is encouraging to see progress.
Since my last update I have been making some good progress when I can break free from the wife and daughter for a few hours.
Once I got the bell housing cut off the CD009 I mounted up the Collins Adapter, and bolted up the T56 bell housing on. Let me say that the Collins Adapter plate is top notch, and went together very nicely.
Once the transmission was back together I got everything bolted together.
Now that the trans was on the engine it was time to cross a big milestone off the list, and get the engine in the car. I was honestly very surprise at how easily the engine and transmission went in to the car. My father in law helped me, and we had it knocked out and bolted up in 45 minutes. I still need to level the engine a little (1/8" or so), and make the transmission support and mount.
I am thinking something like this for the trans mount.
Thank you! I really want to build it to be a Swiss army knife of sorts. I plan to use it mostly for track days, but at the same time I wouldn't mind doing a little drifting and drag racing with it. That may change as the build progresses, but currently that's where I am headed.
Good luck with your build. For the life of me I can't figure out why CRX routes the primary header pipes as they do. I did a LS E36 swap about 4 years ago. I couldn't justify the cost of other pre-made headers. I ordered flanges and two 13/4" box of bends from Speedway Motors and made my own. Passenger side was easy. Drivers side with the steering shaft was a bit more of a challenge. Routed the steering shaft thru the pipes. Took me about two weeks of evenings to complete and ready for final welding. Just really need a wire feed welder, sawsall and a sander to clean up and fine tune the tube fitment.
Again good luck with your build. My E36 LS swap was a great driving car.
Thank you! I really want to build it to be a Swiss army knife of sorts. I plan to use it mostly for track days, but at the same time I wouldn't mind doing a little drifting and drag racing with it. That may change as the build progresses, but currently that's where I am headed.
how's the swap going man? I'm using your forum for reference what part are you at now.
Thanks for checking in. The swap is going well, but I have been traveling a ton for work since the new year started. Right now I had a machine shop cut some brackets for me so I can finish the design for my trans mount. Currently this is what I am thinking. This will allow me to use the factory CD009 trans mount.
Once the trans is in its final resting place I plan to wrap the headers and get them installed. Once the headers are in I plan to plumb the fuel system, finish the power steering, and wrap up the engine wiring. I hope to have the engine running in the car by this summer. Let me know if you have any questions. I would be happy to help if I can.
I've been following along with your build, but keep forgetting to ask about the transmission. I had never heard of a CD009 - had to look that up. (For those like me that didn't know, CD009 refers to the part number of a revised/improved 350Z/G35 transmission that Nissan started using in '05.) I see some discussion in the transmission forum here. What led you to go the CD009 route?
Thanks for following along. The reason I went with the CD009 is because I could never find an affordable T56. I stumbled upon a low mileage good condition CD009 on Craigslist for $350, and couldn't pass it up. I picked up a T56 bellhousing for $50, and I bought the adapter, clutch, and bushing when they were on sale for around $600. So for $1,000 I was able to put together a 6 speed that will hold well over my power goals. The cheapest T56 I could find was $1,600, and it sounded like it was going to need a rebuild. So I guess cost led me to the CD009 route haha.
Have you thought through the gear ratios of that tranny and your rearend ratio? We were helping another guy on the site as he thought it through -- that's when I first took a look at the ratios. Seems like it's gonna take a really long/high (low numerically) rear ratio to make them workable.
I've been following along with your build, but keep forgetting to ask about the transmission. I had never heard of a CD009 - had to look that up. (For those like me that didn't know, CD009 refers to the part number of a revised/improved 350Z/G35 transmission that Nissan started using in '05.) I see some discussion in the transmission forum here. What led you to go the CD009 route?
Yes, the early Nissan 6 speeds are not desirable. You need to keep an eye out because people do try to pass that junk off as being the CD009.
The actual trans model is FS6R31A. There is an FS6R30A, which is the 6 speed found in the Frontiers and Xterras. It has a different gear spread.
Michael, I have looked at the gear ratios, and because of that I plan to swap the diff for a M3 diff (3.23). Currently the car has a 3.91 in the rear which will be useless with the CD009, and a 5.3. I would love to to go with a T56, and more than likely eventually will once I get the car on the road and drive it for awhile.
Michael, I have looked at the gear ratios, and because of that I plan to swap the diff for a M3 diff (3.23). Currently the car has a 3.91 in the rear which will be useless with the CD009, and a 5.3. I would love to to go with a T56, and more than likely eventually will once I get the car on the road and drive it for awhile.
Three twenty three gears with the 3.794 first gear puts you right at 12.25 in first gear. For reference, I have 4.33 gears in the Cougar and with my trans it works out to just under 12:1 in first gear. I also have 27" tall rear tires (presumably you will have much shorter tires). I rarely use 1st gear around town.
I am not telling you what to do, just relaying my experience...
Andrew's hit on my thinking. OP -- Yeah - you likely need that overall gear multiplication in first to be something in the 8 to 10 range. Looked like a 2.93 was available in some of the E36's. That's be closer, but still over 11. I'm 2.95 x 3.55 = 10.5 in mine. And I can easily start out in 2nd gear (1.94). 'Course, a bit more displacement - just seems like a lot of trouble to go through for that tranny which is likely gonna render 1st gear almost un-usable for anything other than just gettin' it rolling. The only thing more expensive than "saving money the first time" is when you have to re-do the whole thing anyway.
Thanks for following along. The reason I went with the CD009 is because I could never find an affordable T56. I stumbled upon a low mileage good condition CD009 on Craigslist for $350, and couldn't pass it up. I picked up a T56 bellhousing for $50, and I bought the adapter, clutch, and bushing when they were on sale for around $600. So for $1,000 I was able to put together a 6 speed that will hold well over my power goals. The cheapest T56 I could find was $1,600, and it sounded like it was going to need a rebuild. So I guess cost led me to the CD009 route haha.
Thanks, sounds like pretty good reasoning to me. I've already got a spare T56 in my basement, otherwise I might have to think about the CD009 as well. The short 1st wouldn't really bother me, since my application is going to be a road course car; 1st won't be used for anything but rolling through the paddock.
On the gearing front, the 1st gen CTS-V T56 has a 2.97:1 1st gear. The car comes from the factory with 3.73 rear end gears, so that's just over 11:1 total. First gear is certainly short, but it's not obnoxiously so.
On a related note -- part of the variables for consideration when selecting gearing, especially for an OEM (re: CTS-V) is what kind of torque multiplication is needed to get things moving out of the hole briskly. I suspect part of the reason for that "11" on overall gearing in the CTS-V application is related to the weight of the CTS-V. And it weighs significantly more, for example, than my application does. And I'd bet that the car the OP's building will be even lighter than mine. Gotta admit though - like the idea of that CD009 1st getting a race car (especially with, perhaps, more cam/less low end) around the paddock and on the trailer.
Another quick update with a little progress. I have finally modeled up the trans brace to work with the CD009 trans bushing. I already had the two thicker plates that bolt to the car cut and they are in place. The measurements have been made and the drawings have been sent to the machine shop. Everything has been tabbed and slotted. Hope to have the rest of the brace cut next weekend, and will start welding it up.
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I've already got a spare T56 in my basement, otherwise I might have to think about the CD009 as well. The short 1st wouldn't really bother me, since my application is going to be a road course car; 1st won't be used for anything but rolling through the paddock.
