AWD Manual Transmission for VG30/33?

[Dime Dave]

Did Nissan ever offer an AWD manual transmission behind a longitudinal VG30/33 engine?

 

I'm not looking for a 4X4 transmission with a transfer case, but a full time, AWD manual transmission with a center differential.

 

I've seen Xterra's with VG33 engines advertised as AWD, but I question if that might be a mistake. They did offer an automatic in AWD but I'm unsure if the manuals were ever AWD.

[DRIVEN]

Do the VG and RB share the same bellhousing pattern?

[Laecaon]

Closest I would think you are going to get is swapping a VG Bellhousing to the RB26 AWD tranny.

 

It would appear after some searching, it is very common to mate the Z32 (dual cam VG) tranny to the RB26 Bellhousing. Probably would work the opposite way.

[Dime Dave]

That was kind of what I was thinking. I did look breifly into it and the Skyline AWD uses a computer to control the center diff. It is an oil bath clutch with a hydraulic servo to control enagement and degree of engagement.

 

I didn't get into the whole control process but it uses the ATTESA-ETS system tied to the ABS wheel sensors. I wasn't planning to use brake hubs with ABS sensors, but that may need to change with a Skyline AWD trans.

 

I have looked at using a European Ford MT-75 transmission. It is in the Sierra, Granada, Scorpio and the Cosworth Escort.They have a viscous couple center diff, no computer control and Quaife sells a torque biasing diff for it. The issue with the Quaife center diff is you need to use the entire Quaife gear kit with it.

[nismo dr]

The g35 has a vq35de with awd, so vq instead of vg - problem?

[Creepy Cruiser]

Just to answer your questions about the xterras, as far as I know, (and I deal with Xterras every day), they are all unfortunately 4WD, not AWD. (most people just don't know the difference, lol). If you have a link to an actual AWD version, please send it my way, I'd love to check it out.

[qwik510]

The g35 has a vq35de with awd, so vq instead of vg - problem?

 

I had an 06 G35x. That would be a badass swap into a dime but a really tight fit. I understand why you want the VG.

 

As much as I like the idea of the VQ, I am not willing to blaze that trail.

[qwik510]

I had an 06 G35x. That would be a badass swap into a dime but a really tight fit. I understand why you want the VG.

 

As much as I like the idea of the VQ AWD, I am not willing to blaze that trail.

[Dime Dave]

Creepy,

I didn't really think it was true. I saw it in a couple used car lot ads that Xterra 5 speeds were AWD. If having it in print doesn't increase confidence in used car saleman, I'm not sure what will.

 

Nismo dr & Qwik 510,

I have always thought the VQ would be more fun. Didn't realize that you could get it in a manual. I always thought it was auto only. But if I went that route, the front suspension will be double A-arm for sure.