ConceptZ made a kit to convert the Q60 (CV37) from 7AT to 6MT. This was supposed to be made available for general sale but I have not kept up with that project.

The way I see it, if the 400Z is using the same VR30 engine and pairing it to a 6MT, from factory, then it stands to reason the same parts should fit the Q's- obviously with a little rigging (ie. bracing, driveshaft, interior changes (pedal/shifter), etc.). Nothing near as complicated as what ConceptZ devised...

I have a 5AT. I wanted a 6MT but there wasn't any available at the time. Oh well, 13 years and currently 113K miles later and no regrets. My beater pickup is a 5MT and the slave just crapped out last week so I'm reminded why MT's can be a PITA at times. I'm dreading having to drop that gearbox and go through all that crap. I'm no spring chicken anymore, either.

 

Brother.

Anyway, staring at this Z, and imagining a high-end aftermarket exhaust, with a notchy short throw shifter... man that could be a rewarding car to own, age notwithstanding.

If the body is still willing in 3 years or so, this could be the retirement toy.

 

It is not for me. Maybe after I see it in person, but doubtful. I don't overly love the Q60 either, but sport Coupe's are quickly becoming extinct.

To each their own, however...

 

Preach!

Although, most trucks in my experience use an external slave. Unless this is a GM, in which case... good luck, and godspeed.

From reading CZ's notes on the Q60 conversion, sourcing the internal parts (console, clutch pedal, drilling out the pedal mounting etc) and getting the ECU to behave without the 7AT were the hardest parts. I'd think that if you use the new Z's ECU in whatever chassis you put it into, you'd skip some of that trouble. Of course, you'd have a time getting instruments and such to work with the G/Q cluster and radio...

 

No, it's internal- Ford (Mazda). So, I'll be crawling on the ground fiddling with that come this fall when the weather breaks- unless I opt to unload it and get something else. It is 22 years old with just under 250K miles, so... ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

I can almost bet that most of the powertrain parts bin for the Zed will work for the Q's.

 

The 9AT is the Mercedes 9G-Tronic manufactured by JATCO for Nissan. Lighter, more efficient, higher power handling, etc. Not sure how it will be tuned. I like the idea of going manual anyway but I will test drive both most likely.



My main concern is the appearance of electrically assisted power steering. I was holding out some hope the hydraulic rack would stay. It makes sense why they would do this, but I hope their ability to tune it for decent feedback has improved since the early Q50 years.

 

This is probably my biggest hang up with the new Z as I adore the hydraulic feel in my Nismo. Given how much Temura-San underscores how driver focused the new car is makes me slightly optimistic however- so fingers crossed it delivers.

 

Electric assist steering can be done well. The 2004 era Mini Cooper, the newer Miatas, the RX-8 all had electric steering only and had excellent feedback and feel. They just have to engineer it for folks that want sharp steering response and feedback, and not for the land barge set.

 

2003/2004 Ford SVT Cobra Terminator!

 

Wasn't the issue with the early Q50/Q60 electric steering the fact that it was possible for it to work without using the actual steering rack so the feeling was completely artificial? I think Nissan has learned from that mistake so I would imagine it would be good. Especially with all of the talk from Nissan about this car having a great connection with the driver. Only time will tell.

 

Photo dump....

 

So much want.

 

That orange and black is sexy

 

Those are all CT5-V Blackwings (as opposed to CT4-V Blackwings), right? I am surprised that they have hit lots already. Were those all pre-sold?

 

My understanding is that the steer-by-wire was really panned early on, so they made that optional and you could get the standard rack with electric assist, but even with that the reviews have all said the steering is a bit numb and lifeless in the Q50/60. I haven't driven one. It's definitely possible to do electric assist well, but not that many companies do. Porsche notably gets it right. I don't remember if the ATS-V had electric or hydraulic. The steering felt great in that car. I hope the whole "connection between car and driver" thing isn't just lip service.

The truth is a lot of customers will never complain about numb steering as they've never known better. Some even expect a nice car to isolate them and don't want to feel the wheel tugging and wiggling, as BMW claims for their recently Novocained steering setups. Even reviewers now talk about light steering as a virtue even if they still (mildly) complain about numbness. I hope they tune this one for the enthusiasts.