Where can I find a good tutorial on the 4 spd vs. 5 spd transmission for my 71 stock 240Z?

5 spds didn't come on '71 240Z, but they do fit (280Z/ZX)! You will have to enlarge the shifter hole in the trans tunnel and cut back the console a bit.

Curtis

(3) '71 240Zs all with L28 and 5 spds

depends on the month of your 71 on whether you need to cut the trans stick shift hole...

1. Does your car have the vent holes on the sides, and not under the window on the hatch? ie. does the small emblem behind your small quarter windows on the side just have a circle with a Z in the middle or does it have '240' on the circle AND 2 silver plastic grille vent covers under the rear hatch window?

2. if it does have the circles with just a Z and NO hatch vents under the hatch window, then check the placement of your differential under your car...kind of hard to describe, but this imo is easiest way to make sure you have a later 71... when looking at the mounts of the rear of the differential if they are straight across, and DON'T bend backwards to accomodate the diff being pushed back 2 inches, then you have the early setup, and with a newer 4 speed or 5 speed you'd need to cut the tranny shifter hold a little bit like was said previously.

If the bottom diff mount (its under the diff and the suspension mounts to it) has a "U" shape to it and the Mustache bar also has a "U" shape to it, then you have the later car and won't have to modify the shifter hole in the interior.

These are the easiest ways IMO to check, possibly somebody else has a better method...anyone want to chime in?

Last summer on my 72 (built 10/71) I put a 5 speed in it from a '77 280z and I'm telling you it is a good upgrade--although the 280ZX 5 speeds are probably even better. The 77-78 5 speed is essentially the stock 4 speed with an extra gear added (5 speed) so things such as the shift fork are weaker (5th gear shares reverse on the fork)...the 280zx 5 speed was built from the ground up to be a 5 speed so it is slightly stronger.

Hope this helps.