Hi, I'm looking at adding a manual transmission oil cooler to my Z32. My main problem at this stage is trying to work out where to tap the inlet and outlet from the gearbox. My first instinct would be to tap the outlet from the gearbox at the lowest point possible. However, looking at the service manual it looks like the factory cooler (on European models) is tapped midway up the gear box. I would not know if there was any kind of pickup fitted to these models with the oil cooler or not. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated. Links to quality components etc. I am looking at running a system similar to factory option only in that it uses an electrical pump. With a cooler/radiator at the front of the car. Maybe to an automatic transmission cooler. With a manual switch or ignition switch. Not sure but it looks like the factory option ran to the back of the car? Anyway I have posted below all I can find in the service manual on this topic. Sorry images are a bit large. Cannot find code to re-size image(s).
I am not going to question the need for a manual trans cooler other then I am not aware of anyone having a problem when used as a track car, and the euro spec was probably with the autobahn speeds in mind for several hours. Had a quick look at the ER1 (Euro RHD) FAST catalogue and there is a special GB case part number, with holes for the banjos I guess, 32101-37P00. I would expect the JDM TT 5 speed to have blank boses on the standard 40P00 case. Cant see anything that indicates an internal pickup. But I did notice one thing interesting and thats a banjo bolt with a temp sensor built in on the pickup. 31937-37P00 I dont think they would want the pickup on the bottom as it would do a great job of picking up metal etc.
Hi, thanks for your post. This has led me to check the adapter plate on my gearbox, which does appear to have a lower check ball plug not provided for on some models. My only query then would be as to its position being higher than the filler plug if it is to be used for picking up oil???
Looking at the diagrams the GB may well use the plate area for the cooler setup, but if its above the fill level plug it would have to be a return. Starts getting hard working off FAST diagrams at this level, the only thing I can see in ER1 is a breather on the adapter plate. The UK forum can/might be good for pics and better info. 300zx.co.uk
Stupid question but does the manual transmission have an internal oil pump of some type? Or do the gears etc literally just sit in the oil? I would assume it must draw the fluid up some how. Perhaps even by centripetal force But we can see from diagram here the cooler has an external pump.
The gear set is semi submersed in the oil and whips the oil around and there are bushes/gears/parts with slots and spiral channels and such to get oil into specific places, no pump as such in the gearbox, although spinning spiral channels will push oil around. I have never pulled a RS5R30A apart but assume it uses similar ideas to most other gearboxes.
AFAIK, only heavy vehicle manual gearboxes employ pressurised oil systems with internal pumps. The oil pumps are driven off the gearbox input. Is why a truck is NEVER towed any distance with the tailshaft still connected. Automotive stuff is just splash lubed and in rwd, only the countershaft lives in any oil. I only envisage the need for manual transmission coolers if the oil temps and elevated above around 110deg.C for extended periods. My truck gearbox and rear diff temps regularly exceed 100 deg.C for hours on end and manufacturers see no need for external cooling. Id only get funky with transmission cooling if there is actually a demonstrated need for it. You WANT the oil to get hot. E
Whats wrong with an oil cooler sandwich plate that your looking at doing something unknown, new, random and fraught with danger?
The input and output bung are at least 6" apart. I'm thinking I may run a temp sender to start with and decide from there.
