DR Mod How-To

Van (whazzzuup) and I decided to install the DR mod on my AE automatic last night to help with shifts on the track. I figured some Org'ers might enjoy a detailed how-to so here ya go.

Materials

1 Switch
2 0.250" "Disconnect F" - Wire terminals
2 Wirecaps
8 ft general speaker wire

Tools Needed

Wire cutters/crimpers
Drill
Phillips head and flathead screwdriver

The first thing you will need to do is open the hood and remove the two 10mm bolts that are holding the transmission solenoid/resistor in place. The solenoid is seen in this picture right behind the air intake.

Once you have removed the solenoid, disconnect it from the plug that is plugged into it.

Now, once the clip has been removed from the solenoid, cut a slit in the black protective covering over the wire down as far as you can go so that you can have more wire to work with.

Once you have exposed the two wires (green and white) from the protective tape, cut the green wire about halfway down between the plug and the bottom of where you can reach in the engine bay.

Once you have cut the green wire, strip each cut end about 0.5 inches being very careful not to tear any of the copper inside the wire.

Now, take your speaker wire that has also been stripped at both ends and connect it to the tranny wires using endcaps as seen here.

Do this for both ends.

Now you have created the bridge.

Next step is to remove the plastic covering in the front driver's side wheel well by unscrewing the screws that are holding it in as well as one infamous Nissan plug. This will allow you access to the firewall holes where you will be routing the speaker wire.

Once you have moved this away, run the cable through the little hole in the engine bay that is pretty much right in front of the driver's side windshield wiper and next to the brake booster on the far back right corner of the engine bay.

Once this wire has gone through in the engine bay you will see it come through the hole in the wheel well. From here, you will need to remove the rubber plug that holds the hood latch line in place. This is where you will run the speaker wire through.

Once the rubber plug has been removed, run the wire through this firewall and you will see it come through inside the hood latch compartment. Run the wire through here and then push out one of the plastic pieces next to the steering wheel from the inside out. This is where the switch will go.

Cut the wire to length and strip the ends.

In order to get the plug to fit into this location, you will need to drill out a space in the removed plastic piece big enough to slip the switch into. I did this by using a drill bit -- takes some patience.

Now, connect the two end terminals to the stripped speaker wire and crimp this connection.

Here are the types of end connectors you need.

Slide each of these connections onto the terminals of the switch...they should fit perfectly.

Now, take your switch that is fit into the plastic piece and put it back into the location you took it out of.

Take the car out to test which way the switch should be pointing for on and off modes.

A couple of things to note:

Make sure only to test this switch at WOT or you will get a jerk like no other.

The first couple of times the tranny will need to get used to the new DR so it may not shift as sharply as you like until the third or fourth time of use.

You will get a CEL when using the DR, just ignore it.

Enjoy your new tranny mod!