kentodd1903 Posted May 4, 2023 Report Share Posted May 4, 2023 I decided to put an A14 into my NL320. What are my options for automatic transmissions? The 3N71 seems obvious, but can I use a L4N71B? did any A14s come with a L4N71B? Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 5, 2023 Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 Unlikely as the L4N71B uses a special bell housing that is not the same as the 3N71B. Top L4N71B from '84 Maxima. Bottom 3N71B probably from 620 or 710. First L4N71B was '83 Maxima. This is with L series bolt up pattern. The '84 300zx used the L4N71B and the 300zx turbo was an extremely heavy duty version and called an E3N71B. The '84 S12 with CA engines also used the L4N71B and an E3N71B with the VG30 after '86. There were 3N71Bs used with the A series engine. The removable bell from one of these would likely fit the '82 and up 720, '83 280zx (turbo and n/a) and S110 200sx 3N71B transmissions that did have a locking torque converter. This assumes that the 6 bolt flex plate from one of these 3N71B with the locking torque converter will bolt to the A series crankshaft. Locking torque converters use a much larger torque converter and matching flex plate, not compatible with the older 3N71Bs. L4N71B torque converter and 3N71B to the right L4N71B flex plate and 3N71B to the right. Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 Great info, thanks. I'll go with the 3n71b Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted May 5, 2023 Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 Hate to poop on your party, but why on earth would you want an auto trans behind an A motor? I've driven them and all I can say is - unremarkable. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 5, 2023 Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 Usually a disability. I have my doubts that the A series could pull off running a 0.686 overdrive 4th. 1 Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 I don't have a transmission now and have driven a manual and automatic. I prefer Automatic....this is not a race car. Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 I have the original 4 speed that fits the E motor....you can have it if you want it...just haven't got around to posting it for free yet Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 1 hour ago, datzenmike said: Usually a disability. I have my doubts that the A series could pull off running a 0.686 overdrive 4th. I wondered about that too. I'll stick with the 3 speed. Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 1 hour ago, datzenmike said: Is it still possible to get a new/rebuilt torque converter for the 3n71b? Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 7 minutes ago, kentodd1903 said: Is it still possible to get a new/rebuilt torque converter for the 3n71b? a quick google search shows several places to get the TC...cool Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted May 5, 2023 Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 Race car nothin. It's a matter of auto trans being power suckers. The A motor has only 80hp if you're lucky, and the friction loss in an archaic auto trans is massive. I bet it sucks up 20 of those precious ponies. Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 5, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 I have plans for that A14. It will make more than 80hp. 1 Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 5, 2023 Report Share Posted May 5, 2023 Well keep in mind it is always in gear and starts from idle so it needs a strong low and mid range. If it doesn't makle power till well above 4k it's going to be hellish slow getting there. 1 Quote Link to comment
Stoffregen Motorsports Posted May 6, 2023 Report Share Posted May 6, 2023 I built a hot E16 with dual 44's that made over 140hp (for the street), but the owner insisted on using an automatic. We had a custom converter built with a slightly higher stall, but the trans was otherwise stock. It was an absolute turd. The mix of high RPM motor with the stock slushbox, they were diametrically opposed. If you can get inside the trans and adjust the shift points and firmness, and have a converter made with a lockup, that would be the ticket. 1 Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 6, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2023 exactly what I was thinking too. 1 Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2023 On 5/4/2023 at 6:30 PM, datzenmike said: Unlikely as the L4N71B uses a special bell housing that is not the same as the 3N71B. Top L4N71B from '84 Maxima. Bottom 3N71B probably from 620 or 710. First L4N71B was '83 Maxima. This is with L series bolt up pattern. The '84 300zx used the L4N71B and the 300zx turbo was an extremely heavy duty version and called an E3N71B. The '84 S12 with CA engines also used the L4N71B and an E3N71B with the VG30 after '86. There were 3N71Bs used with the A series engine. The removable bell from one of these would likely fit the '82 and up 720, '83 280zx (turbo and n/a) and S110 200sx 3N71B transmissions that did have a locking torque converter. This assumes that the 6 bolt flex plate from one of these 3N71B with the locking torque converter will bolt to the A series crankshaft. Locking torque converters use a much larger torque converter and matching flex plate, not compatible with the older 3N71Bs. L4N71B torque converter and 3N71B to the right L4N71B flex plate and 3N71B to the right. I've been giving this some thought and was wondering....the larger bell housing would be required if you wanted to use the locking TC...I suspect that the larger bellhousing will not bolt to an A engine so I'm really back to using the smaller standard TC....is that right? I'm new to Nissan, so please let me know if I'm off base here. I guess an adapter plate could be made, but you would need a flex plate spacer to go along with it... Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted May 8, 2023 Report Share Posted May 8, 2023 The A series engines probably do not have any locking torque converters so there is likely no corresponding flex plate that would accept the larger torque converter and the A series crankshaft. Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 8, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 8, 2023 The crankshaft, according to chat gpt, has the same bolt pattern, but there is a lot more to it than the crank bolt pattern.... Quote Link to comment
kentodd1903 Posted May 9, 2023 Author Report Share Posted May 9, 2023 I've got both flex plates on their way so I can compare the bolt pattern and center bore 1 Quote Link to comment
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