So, I am getting my 5 speed rebuilt, and my gearbox man has just informed me that I need 2 new synchros, and they are only available as genuine from Nissan :(

As well all know, all nissan pricing comes with a free pineapple (rough end first) so I was wondering if any of you bastions of knowledge would be able to offer any alternatives for sourcing them?

And before anyone asks, yes I have put a WTB ad up in the classifieds. I was just hoping someone had come across this before and knew of a comparable part that can be used instead (say, the synchros from a 4 speed?)

In breathless anticipation of your helpful replies.....

I have heard that synchros from the old A14 powered N10 Pulsar are the same
or maybe a vanette wreck?

Which parts do you replace -- just the synchro balk rings?

60-series 5-speed synchro baulk rings are exactly the same as 56-series 4-speeds.

32603-18000 RING-SYNCHRONIZER 4

I am srsly in awe of the depth of knowledge some of you guys have.

One thousand internets be upon you all.

Any idea of a good place to source them, other than Nissan?

Pull good ones from used 4-speeds. There are two sets in a 4-speed. Probably one set is still good.

There is also the nubbins that match the baulk rings, that slide into the synchro hub, but they are little things. One set is the same, the other is unique to the 60L.

Synchro Coupling with hub. Left: assembled. Right: not assembled

Those nubbins are officially called "Shifting Inserts", 3 per synchro.

The photo does not show the baulk rings. One goes on each side of the coupler. (two per coupler).

i got a mashed 4 speed cog swapper you can rob bits out of rooster! ill check them out tonight and see if theres any damage that will render them useless

I know this doesn't 'help' as such, but in general over the years, I've rebuilt a lot of gearboxes (mostly aussie m20/21 and believe it or not mini a-series boxes especially) Both of those have had at different times 'non genuine' synchros (or baulk rings) and I can only tell you that from my experience with them (and the costly failures as they alternately snapped right through or wore down like I had replaced the gearbox oil with valve grinding paste) - I truly reckon it's one place not to try and save money. I've never heard a bad word about the nissan items (you can certainly get most of the bearings elsewhere) and I must confess I haven't rebuilt a nissan 60 series specifically either, so take the comments on that basis.

One of the reasons I rebuilt a bunch of mini gearboxes (for my own projects and for a bunch of friends, and then some people through word of mouth) was because a particular mini specialist was advertising 'reco' gearboxes cheaper (as a changeover) than I could purchase the required parts that I considered to be the 'bare minimum' required. Then it turns out most of them barely last beyond 2-3 months. I started doing all my own auto boxes for similar reasons.

sometimes there's just no avoiding certain costs. Mind you if anyone has a source of aftermarket synchro's and has personal experience with them and can attest to their quality and longevity, I'm all ears.

I'd also (based on experience) shy away from using 'used' synchros even if they managed to pass muster as far as size/gap goes (someone will know what I am talking about here, I don't know the correct term)

I will say this - some of the mini gearboxes I did lasted beyond the life of the motors (and I made the motors last a long time too, by mini standards) and I can honestly say I've never regretted having to delay a rebuild till I had sufficient funds to do it right. I've seen _way_ to many shortcuts ending up not being a shortcut, unless you count 'short cut to untold misery'. Sometimes we just have to bite the bullet.

I'll tell you what though, if you can get any price break on the synchros by buying 10 of them (or some similar number) PM me, and I'll go in a group buy - you grab the two you need, I'll grab the rest - up to 10 of them for me, if it needs to be that high, or I'll go 5 if). I will use a set sooner or later, so they won't go to waste!

Jesse - that would be sweet mate. Feel free to get that comp test done for me while you are in the shed :)

Jmac - I fully hear where you are coming from, but the "genuine" ones are more than the box is worth, so this is coming down to a descision on wether or not to junk a fairly good 60 series 5 speed or not. Plus, when nissan australia want $130 AUD, and a japanese nissan dealer can supply the same (genuine) article for around $30, then it just becomes a case of finding them in Japan. And in this case it looks like that is exactly what will happen

http://www.amayama.com/search/?q=32604H9000

I just thought that someone on here might have sourced some locally before me.

Actually PJZ is the guy who would most likely have them, he also has custom gears and gearsets all from the USA as there were many A series racers up his way.