Shifter clearance in A31 - RB20 5spd? or RB30 5spd ?

[Nic_A31]

Posted a question regarding the shifter clearning the opening in the floorplan in the Cefiro section on SAU, it was suggested my gearbox might actually be an RB30 manual since it sits further forward in the tunnel.

The isnt having any negative effects apart from the leather boot stretching out when selecting 1st, 3rd and 5th, and the rubber seal pressuing up against the plastic trim a little (shift fast enough and it either dismounts the boot from the plastic trim, or dismounts the from from the centre console)

Picture of opening, here (http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/post-a279694-Image0586.jpg)

The feedback I got on SAU was that even using R32 and S13 crossmembers should see the shifter coming up dead centre. Confirmed that the floorplan between factory auto and factory manual is the same as well.

Any visual differences between 20 and 30 boxes ?

[mitchy]

what engine is in it?

i know when you do engine swaps in 31's, you need to use the orignal engines mounts, not the engine mounts suited to the engine, otherwise it pushes everything forwards.

if this is the same with the ceffy, it would explain your gearbox issue, becuase i'm 99% sure the shifter is in the same spot on on the RB boxes, it's just the gearbox overall length that varies.

[Nic_A31]

RB20DET (originally a 20DE but looks like R32 RB20DET (has recirculating blow off valve))

Gearbox is sitting level, as is the engine, can't see it twisting or pulling to either side so I'm assuming it's sitting as it should be. If it pulled the gearbox that far forward wouldnt this cause issues transferring to the driveshafts ?
But then again the car does have a very nasty vibration on acceleration and used to shaek violently, even with the rear wheels up well clear of the ground .... this might just be the problem ?

[mitchy]

they will sit as per normal, however the wrong mounts will it it forwards in the engine bay.

not sure how it would affect the driveshaft, it would be a bit too short though.

happen to have any pics of the engine bay? does the clutch fan sit reaaaaally close to the radiator, and the back of the rocker covers spaced away from the firewall?

[Nic_A31]

Just took a look then, and got some blurry pictures.
Have index finger length between the back of the rocker cover and the firewall.
Have about the same between the fan blade and the radiator.

[reNEGade]

Early model RB30E box's have single synchro's and the case has less fins/ribs for strength. RB20DET and late model Series 3 R31 RB30E gearbox are twin synchro and have more strong shaped gearbox houseing. Thats the difference AFAIK.
Otherwise they are pretty much the same.

[Nic_A31]

SAU confirmed length of RB30 and RB20 gearboxes is exactly the same, as is the shifter itself.
Definately floorplan related, but not neccesarily auto/manual, since some auto<manual conversions don't bump into this, others do.

Bit of useless info for an unsolved mystery, but thought I'd add for anybody who stumbles accross this page in the future.

[DISTRBD]

Floor pan different auto to manual .

[streatracer]

try a series 2 R33 shifter. They have a dog leg in them that might solve your problems. I just put series 2 R33 driveline into a series 1 and the series 1 shifter sat really far forward. Swapped it for a series2 shifter. problem solved :D