2 Nismos transmission failure after highway driving.
 

Ok, we were in a fun run along with 5 other mostly automatic 370s, 4 more GTRs, a wrx and an old lancer (non-evo), and a bunch of euro exotics going at an average of 140- mph. when it's time to pay at the toll gates...

Only the 2 nismos won't go forward. Exact same symptons. Heavy vibrations and loud clunking noise when we try to go forward (or back). No, smell of burnt clutch tho and last symptom, can't be pushed on neutral.

We had to wait 30-40 minutes or more before we can drive it forward again and had to wait a bit longer to let the car cool down.

Anyone else experienced this? Manual/Nismo owners? This is highway driving so shifting is minimal.... only heavy foot. yeah, I did linger on 5th gear a few times but most of the time, I was on 6th.

additional notes:
1. The other Nismo has an HKS oil cooler so engine temp isn't an issue.
2. yes, I did go on limp mode:) hehe.... my car limited to 5k for a while but I already let the engine temp revert to 2230ish before we stopped.
3. My friend's Nismo, had the tranny fluid change, then drove the car at 140+ mph again and the same thing happened. mine is still sitting in my garage.
4. cars seem to be fine when driven slowly for now.
5. My evo 9 with intake/exhaust/tune mods never gave me a single problem!!!!!

hehe... any info on other mt users would help!

I recall someone else had this happen to them a few months ago, and if I recall correctly, it turned out to be a coolant leak, and the ECU prevented forward motion as a protective mechanism. Have you checked the coolant levels?

Hey semtex!

coolant leak on 2 brand new nismos seem unlikely. Also, the other one had a oil cooler and he says his temps are ok. (mine went limp mode).

a technician said that a suspect could be the rear diff.
but how could it be when we were going on straight lines?

will have it checked tomorrow.

Yes, I agree that it is unlikely. But it's still worth checking just to be sure. However, I just re-read your post and caught the part about loud clunking noises and vibration. A coolant leak isn't going to cause that, so I would agree the technician suspecting the diff. I almost wonder if there is/was an overheating issue with the diff. At those prolonged speeds, the diff might get hot. Perhaps a diff cooler is in order.

this is ridiculous. now I need an oil cooler, a diff. cooler and maybe even a tranny cooler.

man, my evo underwent worse conditions, longer and harder drives, long track times (I let other people track my evo one time), and yet it's never given me problems even after 3 years.

anyways, I'll update you guys what happens tomorrow.

Wow, this is bad news...
Please keep us posted!

This is the only other documented occurrence other than the Edmund's Test vehicle that had a trans lock up in gear. But it wasn't temperature dependent...

I would be very surprised if it is your diff! Then again I don't have a logical guess to contribute either.

Keep us posted.

Nick J.

The differential failed on the first NISMO tested in the States....right before some reporter wrecked it.

Nismo 370Z Differential Failure | Straightline Blog on Edmunds' Inside Line

in for updates

sounds like the diff issue is specific to nismos...is this correct?

Mine has been fine thus far, although I haven't done any driving of that caliber. From about 500-1000 miles the gearbox seemed to get very stiff once the car warmed up, during normal highway driving. I'm at about 1420 now and it feels like it should. I made a post on here about it and someone stated that it would loosen up after some miles and so far they were right. I'll hit the subscribe button on this so I can keep track, keep us posted!

:iagree:

Zeto!

wheres my diy post brotha!

very interesting....

Still waiting on my guy bro! He said he's swapped with WRX hood cuts now :rofl2: