fjdatsun Registered User
Posts: 1
(3/20/06 7:56 pm) Reply
Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
Hi everyone,
I race a Datsun 1600 with a Nissan FJ20 and are having numerous gearbox problems. The one we have (FJ20 box) has just recently blown up in spectacular fashion and we happen have a spare SR20 engine and gearbox lying around. We'll probably sell the SR engine, but does anyone know if fitting the FJ bell housing to the SR box will allow it to fit to the FJ20 engine?
You can fit the FJ bellhousing to an SR box but there are a couple of possiblilities. To start with it depends if you FJ is a non turbo, early turbo or late turbo box.... The non and early turbo are the same but late turbo has a different bell.
I'll keep it as simple as possible : In the SR20 gearbox the selector shafts are 2 diameters, 2 are 14mm and one is 16mm.
if you have the non turbo you will find the 3 selector shafts are the same diameter 14mm, and the late turbo is the same as the SR20.
Therefore the SR will go straight onto the late turbo no problems. As for the non you have a few changes.
1st drill the bell housing 1st/2nd gear selector hole out to 16mm, then swap the cluster shaft bearing from the non box onto the sr20 box (comes off with a couple of good size screwdrivers if your careful.) when you get the bearing off the SR box before you put the FJ back you need to remove the circlip on the cluster shaft and take off the retainer and then the sizzer gear ( a thin gaer about 3mm thick against the cluster gaer) throw away the sizzer gear (only reduces a bit of noise at idle anyway) and grind the step off the retainer so that it goes back on as a washer instead of sizzer gear retainer, replace the circlip then bearing and fit the bell housing. All finished.
Trust me its not as bad a it might sound.
Here is the clincher ... dont do it... your best bet by far is to sell the SR20 box its worth really good money ( you should get $500-600 for it, buy yourself an R32 RB20DET gearbox and the bell conversion is the same as the SR20 box also strength and ratios are the same, but the RB20DET box is cheaper (around $350-$450) and the tailshaft will be the same length as with you FJ saving you money, the gearstick will come out in the same location but you will have to open the hole a little due to the wider gear selector mech. you will only need to modify the gearbox crossmember (it will be about 20mm out.The SR is a lot longer (new tailshaft and gearstick hole) therefore I recommend the cheaper way of the RB box.
But make sure it is a genuine Box , easy check is the bell housing will have a lot of cross ribs and 1st gear will be 3.3:1.
Good luck and have fun.
Hope this helps
Geoff
SSS Automotive
rdmdog Registered User
Posts: 1082
(3/20/06 9:51 pm) Reply
Re: Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
Geoff, That is AWESOME!
Within 2 hours of the initial post, one of the most fantastic and detailed answers to a technical query ever!
FJ, you would have to be happy with that, and Welcome!!
Just another example of how good IPRA is I guess!
Edited by: rdmdog at: 3/20/06 9:51 pm
fjdatsun Registered User
Posts: 2
(3/21/06 12:54 am) Reply
Re: Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
Hi blokes,
Went looking late night search for help on the datto 510 race car I prepare for my son to race - very interested to find this discussion - especially since said son is a very talented young punter round Hidden Valley but somewhat limited by dad's lack of funds. Dad has been coaxing FJ20 (non turbo) gearbox along by use of regular flushing with trans fluid while trying to find out whether the SR20 (non turbo) box we have (still attached to SR 20 engine in spare bedroom with Rickman 900 bike plus spares for the Xu1 project and the HQ 2door Monaro project and teh spare panels for the datto) will fit without major work to FJ 20 engine. You guessed it - our box blew in spectacular fashion on Sunday at the Valley. I'm extremely grateful for your advice to my son and me and , yes rmdog, I'm amazed at the response. Now, , , given teh non-turbo bits and all that, sounds like we still should flog off the SR box and buy the RB box if we can find a reco one, huh????
Thanks and complimenmts on the site.
Re: Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
I'd have said something along the same lines. SR Boxes are quite popular in the aftermarket, for anyone tossing SR20DET's in 1600's and so on.
If I recall correctly the RB boxes are damn near bulletproof.
You could also have a peer at www.ozdat.com as well.
fjdatsun Registered User
Posts: 5
(3/21/06 5:36 pm) Reply
Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
thanks alot for your help, its very much appreciated. We run the non-turbo FJ. So just to clarify, to fit the RB20det all we would have to do is fit the FJ bell housing to the RB box and modify the mount? Thanks again for the advice and the warm welcome, its great to hear from other racers that dont mind sharing their expertise
> Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
Yes just the bell mod and gearbox member and your on your way.
If you want a good RB20 box that I have personally driven in Japan with warranty (sorry cant warrant blow ups in case its a driver fault but bearings, synchros etc are covered even in race car) and want to be looked after because you have a race car call me at SSS 02 9896 6111 ask for Geoff and I can help.
But only if you cant get what you want local, I didnt post for a sale I just get enthusiastic about helping race cars and owners.
Thanks Geoff
Please note this is not meant to sound like or be an ad, if anyone feels different let me know and I'll make sure it doesnt happen again. I realise this is a private forum not an advertisement outlet.
fjdatsun Registered User
Posts: 6
(3/21/06 9:44 pm) Reply
Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
The box has been dodgy since we bought the car and has deteriorated since then so i'd like to think its not driver fault. Certainly is great to hear you like helping out racers, your offer is very generous, thanks alot. Would you be able to email me how much we can get this box for? Email address is theupsidedowndevil@hotmail.com. thanks again so much for your help
Registered User
Posts: 691
(3/22/06 8:43 am) Reply
Re: Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
I bought my new box from Geoff, absolute pleasure to deal with and helped me out alot. I also run the FJ with the RB20 box...fitted like a glove.
Call Geoff, don't worry about stuffing around. He's a good guy and will look after you.
Mark.
fjdatsun Registered User
Posts: 7
(3/22/06 9:12 pm) Reply
Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
no worries Mark, thanks. Thanks also to everyone for their thoughts and advice.
rdmdog Registered User
Posts: 1087
(3/23/06 7:52 am) Reply
Re: Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
If you get one from Geoff and need a hand getting it to Darwin at the right price (Maybe a six pack), I may be able to help, although it may take a little while.
Is the Hidden Valley calender on the NAMSC website? I may be heading north briefly in the next two months and would love to get a meeting in there as a spectator. Havent been for 10 years and would like to check out the place since the changes. Im also hoping to aqccidently be there in the first week in July
fjdatsun Registered User
Posts: 8
(3/24/06 6:09 pm) Reply
Re: Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
the website is under construction but our race meeting dates are: 30th April, 28th May, then the supercars. We need all the spectators we can get, let me know if you come up, come say hello etc. What car do you race by the way?
Sure would be a help if we could get the gearbox up here cheaply, how long do you reckon it would take? we need it in time to put in for the april meeting.
rdmdog Registered User
Posts: 1088
(3/26/06 9:11 pm) Reply
Re: Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
I have some contacts in the transport industry, unfortunately I cant let on too much, drop me a line if you do go ahead with the box buy and ill let you know what time frame to look at
Work may take me north briefly soon, however Im hoping to co-incidently be in Darwin at the strat of July too!! Ill be sure and let you know if my first trip is in line with those dates!
And as for what car, well I crew for Scott Fleming in his RX7 here in NSW.
fjdatsun Registered User
Posts: 13
(4/7/06 5:59 pm) Reply
Datsun 1600 gearbox conversion
Well looks like we're gonna have to grab that RB20 box off you Geoff, cant get our hands on one up here. Would you be interested in swapping RB20 box for an SR20 box? SR box is in great condition, done about 70,000 kays I think.
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