Infiniti M30 Manual Swap Guide │ Midnight Oil MFG.

Here's my guide on how to swap a manual transmission into an Infiniti M30! As I mention in the video, this is purely based on my research and personal experience manual swapping my M30. I by no means claim this is the best way to do it, but I feel you can achieve satisfactory OEM feeling and looking results using this guide.


IMPORTANT EDIT:
I have since realized that I didn't use a Z31 clutch kit for my swap and instead used a Maxima clutch kit (matching the flywheel).

This is a huge blunder on my part for messing this up and I apologize.

Whether or not a Z31 clutch kit would work I cannot say, but according to Rock Auto's parts interchange information they are different kits and would thus make me believe not interchangeable.



My car is a 1991 M30 Coupe, but most of the information should apply to all years - coupe or convertible.

Message me on Instagram with any questions you may have:
  / midnight_oil_mfg  



Terms:

OEM - original equipment manufacturer. Meaning with "from the factory" appearance, function, and operation in this context.

VG30E - V6, single overhead cam engine from Nissan. This is the engine that came in the Infiniti M30 and the 1988-'94 Nissan Maxima which you'll need a flywheel from for the swap.

VG30DE - V6, dual overhead cam engine from Nissan. This engine came in various Nissan products from the era and had a 8-bolt flywheel not compatible with the VG30E in the M30

NA - Naturally Aspirated, in this context referring to the non-turbocharged version of the 300ZX.

Z31 - 1984-'89 Nissan 300ZX (Fairlady Z in Japan). A Z31 clutch pedal, brake pedal, and clutch master cylinder can be used for this swap.

Z32 - 1990-'96 Nissan 300ZX (Fairlady Z in Japan). A Z32 manual transmission, clutch slave (or operating) cylinder, throw-out (or release) bearing, vehicle speed sensor, engine to transmission brackets, and clutch hydraulic line can be used for this swap.

R31 - 1985-'89 Nissan Skyline. This car shared dashboard and center console styling with the Infiniti M30 (though in the right-hand-drive configuration only) unlike the M30's Japanese counterpart: the Nissan Leopard, which had a completely different dashboard. An R31 manual shift bezel can be used for a very OEM looking manual shifter setup. The R31 was only sold in Japan and Australia so sourcing this part will likely be difficult and expensive in comparison to other parts.

RS5R30A (or 30A) - A Nissan 5-speed manual transmission that came in the Z32 generation of 300ZX. The 30A bolts up to the M30's VG30



Parts List:

Z32 (NA) 5-speed transmission (30A)
Z32 throw-out bearing
Z32 clutch slave cylinder
Z32 flexible clutch hydraulic line
Z32 two-piece short shifter
Z31 clutch pedal assembly
Z31 manual brake pedal assembly
Z31 clutch master cylinder
'88-'94 Nissan Maxima VG30E flywheel
'88-'94 Nissan Maxima VG30E clutch disc
'88-'94 Nissan Maxima VG30E pressure plate
'88-'94 Nissan Maxima VG30E pilot bushing
Custom built driveshaft (slip yoke that fits 30A and pinion flange from M30's driveshaft)
M10 x 1.0 - 25mm bolts for the flywheel
M8 x 1.5 - 15mm bolts for the pressure plate



Links:

Infiniti M30 Factory Service Manuals:

1990
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uUwt...

1991
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tau6...

1992
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1upEC...

Fidanza VG30E Maxima Flywheel
https://drifthq.com/products/fidanza-...

Short Shifter I Used
https://www.amazon.com/Short-Shifter-...

Z32 Flexible Hydraulic Line
https://www.ebay.com/itm/234631393796

F31 Club
https://www.f31club.com/

Nissan Leopard/Infiniti M30 Owners Facebook Group
  / infinitim30  



Timestamps:

0:00 Introduction
0:55 Transmission
2:09 Flywheel
4:10 Clutch Components
4:40 Engine to Transmission Brackets
5:27 Driveshaft
5:48 Shifter Alignment
6:40 R31 Shifter Bezel
7:04 Clutch Pedal
8:36 Brake Pedal
9:17 Master and Slave Cylinders
10:00 Wiring
10:17 Neutral Safety Switch
11:22 Reverse Lights
11:39 Speedometer
12:15 Cruise Control
12:44 Closing



Music Credit:

Alpine - Carbon Citizens



Midnight Oil MFG.