S15 6-Speed gearboxes

[gooly]

Looking at buying an S15 6 speed gearbox for my Qs S14. Been offered one at a good price that works out to be pretty cheap if I factor in the resale value of my 5-speed. The reason I want it is that my S14 is NA and a daily driver; I'd love to run a 4.6 rear end to make the most of my powerband but it would be hugely impractical as a daily and a 6-speed on the 4.1 diff I have ready to fit would give best of both worlds.

However, as some may know, due to bad design they have an issue where they pop out of third due to a cracked circlip that keeps third gear located on the shaft. It hasn't had the circlip mod done (Machine shaft and weld clip in place) and the prev owner (it's come off an Autech S15) reports that there is some movement/play while its in 2nd and 3rd; whether this means it's on its way out or not I dont know. Garage D can do the circlip mod for £500 incl labour but puts the conversion way out of budget for me. How likely is it that it will start popping out of gear? Is it an inevitable / common issue? Would I be stupid to fit it without doing the mod or would it likely be okay? Also does anyone know of any other pitfalls of using the S15 6speed?

[green_rs13]

its a pay your money take your chances modification

im sure ive seen write ups of the modification, if you are confident you could strip the box down and farm the machining part out to keep costs down.

[gooly]

Garage D said £200 with it stripped down, I'll ask about and see who else. Not particularly confident though so I'd need mates to help me

[green_rs13]

its an asin or something like that!! box not unlike the rx8 or mx5 unit so that might bring up a guide on google.

[gooly]

I've heard mixed opinions on whether or not it's an Aisin AZ6 and searching for the issue on other models doesn't bring up much so perhaps it's a specific issue on the Nissan applications; regardless I'm going ahead with buying it and I'll be fitting it without the circlip mod, I'll see how it goes but I've had alot of positive feedback from people running S15 6-speeds on NA cars without an issue

[immy21]

I'm sure you will appreciate this thread:
http://zilvia.net/f/showthread.php?t=362303