Z32 300ZX Transmissions

Every Z32 came with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic. The manual is the same gearbox in the non-turbo and twin turbo cars; the automatics are not. On twin turbo cars, the automatic was also rated lower: 280 hp in the US, against 300 hp for the manual.

Manual

RS5R30A, 5-speed

Auto, non-turbo

RE4R01A, 4-speed

Auto, twin turbo

RE4R03A, 4-speed

Gear Ratios

The final drive is in the differential: 4.083 on the non-turbo and 3.692 on the twin turbo (see differentials). On factory tires that works out to roughly 2,500 rpm at 60 mph in fifth for a non-turbo manual and about 2,270 rpm for a twin turbo manual.

RS5R30A Five-Speed Manual

• Used in both the VG30DE and VG30DETT cars, with the same internal ratios. The shift pattern has reverse at the far right, down (next to fifth).
• Warner-type synchronizers on every forward gear. Worn synchros show up as grinding or a notchy shift, most often into second and third when cold.
• Oil: 2.8 L (5-7/8 US pt) of API GL-4 gear oil, 75W-90 preferred. Avoid GL-5 in this gearbox; its additives are hard on the brass synchro rings.
• Japanese-market cars built from late 1998 got stronger synchronizers.
• Before you blame the gearbox for hard shifting, check the clutch hydraulics. A clutch that doesn't fully release feels exactly like bad synchros. See clutch master and slave cylinder failure.

RE4R01A and RE4R03A Automatics

• Both are electronically controlled four-speeds with a lock-up torque converter and overdrive. The twin turbo's RE4R03A is the heavier-duty version, built to take the turbo engine's torque.
• Fluid: Nissan ATF, Dexron II type (the 1996 manual allows Dexron III/Mercon). Capacity is 8.3 L (RE4R01A) or 8.2 L (RE4R03A). A drain and fill only replaces part of that, so it takes a few changes to refresh it all.
• Nissan's stall speed for the RE4R01A is 2,450–2,650 rpm.
• The automatic has its own self-diagnosis, flashed on the A/T indicator light. Our automatic transmission fault codes page explains how to read it.

RE4R01A shift points (Nissan spec)

Propeller Shafts

The driveshaft is a two-piece, three-joint shaft. The twin turbo uses a larger shaft (model 3S80A-VL107) with a constant velocity joint in place of one of the universal joints; the non-turbo uses model 3S71A. The 2+2 has a longer rear section to suit its longer wheelbase.