Converting a DSM to CVT

[jda487]

Hi there,

Long story short, it is Friday and I am bored at work. A friend drives a Murano and was raving about how much he loves the CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) and how a lot of new cars come with it. So I got to thinking, and googling and what not and it is true, a lot of new cars do some with a CVT, including the new Lancer. It actually sounds pretty sweet, CVT with a Diptronic paddle shift or whatever. Pretty cool.

Annnnyway, after some extensive searching of this site, the DSMTalk site and ca.dsm.org I didn't really turn up a lot. Has anyone every converted a DSM to have a CVT? How hard would it be?


(( I put this in the newbie section because... well... I'm a noob. Mods, feel free to move this if appropriate, thanks! ))

 

[elfroggo]

Well, probably no one has done this so far. It'd be a ton of fabrication to get the whole setup to work and in the end what you get is basically an automatic transmission.

CVT's aren't known for holding up to high hp applications. It is not worth the effort at all unless you just want to prove it can be done.

 

[Ravenous]

Yea, it really isn't considered a performance mod. I mean it would be cool to hit redline and just have the car go faster without any increase in RPMs, but other than that I don't see the benefit. What we need is the automatic with the paddles that you can get in ferrari's. Split second gear changes, no effort.

 

[Freerevving]

Yea, it really isn't considered a performance mod. I mean it would be cool to hit redline and just have the car go faster without any increase in RPMs, but other than that I don't see the benefit..

Gee that seems to be a huge benefit right there... consantly hitting peak hp?

It's definitely condidered a performance mod but most companies haven't designed one that can handle over 300hp, much less reliably.

I think most CVT's are considered relable on 240hp or less engines

It would be nice to try to reverse one and slap it on a DSM... but most of your time would be spent designing/fabricating motor mounts... it would be a medium sized task if you have a degree in AutoCAD and are also a decent welder, but without some good help, I think it would take more time than it's worth

 

[Ravenous]

Now I haven't checked into it since I was looking at mini coopers but they also have gross drivetrain hp loss. Yea staying at peak hp would be awesome but I don't think the technology is quite to the point where it will be usable to the performance peeps. I'm already disgruntled by the amount of ponies are lost to my AWD drivetrain.

 

[Defiant]

Get a CVT with a car already wrapped around it. It'll be a lot cheaper, and you'll realize what outdated oxcarts DSMs are.
Otherwise, you're off to FabLand, wherefrom your wallet will disappear, never to be seen again.

 

[Freerevving]

IIRC the 240-260hp Maxima has a CVT available for it and it gains almost a second in 0-60

Don't quote me on that, but I know it's a significant amount

you're off to FabLand, wherefrom your wallet will disappear, never to be seen again.

haha

 

[MidShipCivic]

Like already said and here's a reminder it cannot handle powerful applications.

 

[vanilla gorilla]

My friends mom just got a new Altima with that CVT tranny BS. I drove it, I warped on it to over 100.
I stomped it from a dig and all the way until over 100 the tach was at like 6 grand.
Is it just me or can that not be good at all? That seems like ALOT of stress on an engine, to hit 6k and stay there. On a normal tranny equiped car, it revs until redline, shifts, falls back, redline again, shift fall back, etc, so its not constantly wound out. But on this CVT crap is just hits redline and stays there. I just can't see how that could be good for the engine...

 

[kanderson]

I was just wondering if the original poster has ever driven a car with a CVT? He says that it "sounds pretty sweet", but in my experience they are neither sweet, fun, nor enjoyable, and are in fact very frustrating to drive. A motorboat provides almost the same sensation but it can go in the water!

 

[autotec]

After being trained on the CVT's that they put in the Saturn's in around 2000, I was glad that GM decided not to put them into other cars. They were just a mess. The design is much better now, but I still have a hard time trusting them. I saw and tried to fix so many failures. They would always come back. GM rates all of their transmissions on how much torque they can handle, The GM version could only handle 150 lbs/ft.

 

[DSM1G90]

Back in the early 80's, Subaru had a Justy with AWD with a CVT transmission and talk about pretty gutless let alone quite the gas pig for a 3 cylinder motor.

This craze is kinda like Mazda's Rotary motor: less moving parts to worry about, but just never a big hit in the auto world.

 

[SpiralOut]

Tell your friend at work to meet you at the track and see what is better. j/k Auto trannys are boring!

 

[vanilla gorilla]

Tell your friend at work to meet you at the track and see what is better. j/k Auto trannys are boring!

Meet you at the track??
As boring as Auto's are they are very consistent and are used in the fastest cars.

 

[3slow]

You guys ever drive a golf cart. Yeah, thats a CVT transmission. They are weaker than shit and alot of the car companies are having problems with belt slippage. This is on cars with less than 200 hp to the wheels. I say it's a dumb idea. 4G63 golf cart FTL.

 

[Freerevving]

Nissan has a patent on their design. Because of some break-through in the metal belts they can handle more power than anyone else. I also haven't heard about any problems with Nissan CVT's and I've heard they're fun to drive from a couple of owners. Never did drive one though

In theory, the CVT is ideal for performance and engine longevity. Seems most car companies have had problems with them though.

Torque, and changes in load is what eventually kills an engine, running it at a constant 6000 rpm for a minute is not near as bad for an engine as stomping it through the gears

 

[Defiant]

My friends mom just got a new Altima with that CVT tranny BS. I drove it, I warped on it to over 100.
I stomped it from a dig and all the way until over 100 the tach was at like 6 grand.
Is it just me or can that not be good at all?

No, it's not good. She's going to have your head on a pike and your ass on a platter. She reads this forum.

 

[Freerevving]

No, it's not good. She's going to have your head on a pike and your ass on a platter. She reads this forum.

 

[JScharF]

Hmmm a 4g63 on a golfcart? I know what you meant but shoot... Now I'm intrigued and want to see an actual golf cart with a 4g63, someone thats bored needs to get to work