Introducing JDM_Silvia

JDM_Silvia · Post by **JDM_Silvia** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:26 pm

Hey everyone, I'm Michael and have had my S12 Gazelle for almost a year. I'm from Gold Coast Australia. Joined because can't find anyone who can help me about my car so hoping to find the help here. I am wanting to convert my Gazelle from automatic to manual. I have located a ca18det Manual gearbox with shifter and fork. Just have no idea which drive/tail shaft I can use for it. What other parts are needed for the convertion. Would I need different ECU? Then I also have ideas to chuck a CA18DET in it but further down the line, what is needed for that? After converting from automatic to manual, if I was to go through with an engine conversion to the CA18DET what would I then have to change, after having manual gearbox set up?
It is a project that has taken longer than planned I'm also working on getting it sprayed matte black. And the conversion/s.
In advance any help/information would be appreciated.

Nebuchernezzer · Post by **Nebuchernezzer** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 3:41 pm

If you're just after a manual swap i'd be more inclined to bolt in a S12 manual box, it goes straight in, you don't need to cut a hole in the floor for the shifter and etc.
Much easier.

Matte black ay...hrmm not sure about that, but good luck with it all

james · Post by **james** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:11 pm

You'll need a custom crossmember to support the new gearbox.

You'll need the front half of a s13 tail shaft which you'll then attach to the rear half of your original tailshaft.

You'll need a gazelle pedal box, which to fit, you'll need to remove the dash, etc.

Clutch master, slave and hard line (newly bent or original s12 one)

You will not need to do any ECU swap - this is only required when going from manual to auto

You'll need a manual flywheel and clutch - someone else will have to advise whether you need 18 or 20 suited items.
If ca18 flywheel you'll have to have it drilled to suit the ca20 crank's bolt pattern.

You will also need a lot of time and patience. Putting the dash in and out is the worst part, followed closely by getting the crossmember correct.

Good luck!

One more thing; the shifter sits about 2inches further back on the ca18 gearbox.

You either need to cut you floor a little and deal with the shifter being set back.. Or.. Cut and reweld your shifter to include a 2inch dogleg so it sits in the original position.

Or

Just sell the 18 box for $400

Buy a 20 box for $100 and save yourself having to mess with the shifter & tail shaft and make the crossmember issue a little easier.

Nebuchernezzer · Post by **Nebuchernezzer** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:27 pm

Note that with the 20 box you'll still need the front half of a manual S12 tailshaft, the output spline on the auto and manual are different to the front half of the tailshaft is different.

garry b · Post by **garry b** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:45 pm

Leave it Auto and attach an MV auto computer to the box, this means you will have to change gears manually, done correctly you will end up with 5 speed auto, I know as that is the system I run. Mine is r/lined at 8 and it is satisfing to drive ( and quick )

This is what is up front

garry b · Post by **garry b** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:58 pm

matt black makes it very Hard to see at night not a real good idea, may be shiney black would be OK, a lot safer may be a nice dark silver grey one of the nissan colours,it would look real neat.
Good luck Garry

Darryn · Post by **Darryn** » Wed Apr 25, 2012 8:18 am

I would just hold off and do engine swap and manual conversion all at the same time. A ca20e gearbox would be your best bet, bolts strait to the motor and into the car, no mods required. The only thing you will need is the manual front half of the tailshaft.
You can run manual with an auto ecu no worrys, just need to bridge the neutral/start switch. you will also need a manual pedal box and a clutch master cylinder. The pedal box is a bit of fun to swap over as the dash needs to come out.

hope that helps some, good luck with it!

JDM_Silvia · Post by **JDM_Silvia** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 9:42 am

Thanks for all your replies guys, I would like to find a ca20 box however having no luck in queensland. And also can't find front section of manual tail shaft. Guess I'll keep going with the paint side of things for now and see if I can be bothered doing the conversion or just use as a clean daily rather than pocket rocket lol. With the matte black is it really that hard to see at night? Would it make a difference if I was to paint it Satin black?
Again thanks for everyones information.

garry b · Post by **garry b** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 6:12 pm

As long as it has some sort of shine it will reflect light and will be able to be seen. Dusk and dawn are the hardest times to see non shiney paint on cars, that is from years of experience.

Garry.

S12NUT · Post by **S12NUT** » Thu Apr 26, 2012 10:52 pm

sent you a pm