A P/O modified my car a number of years ago to include a 5-speed.

I'm wondering, and I'm sure this is a shot in the dark, if there's a way of knowing which Z 5-speed is under there now without actually pulling the tranny. I've read that later, ZX-styled, tranmissions have a noticeably different ratio for 5th gear, bringing the engine RPM down at cruise speed, is this true?

The 81-83 ZX and 81-84 Maxima 5spd have a .745-1 fifth gear. I believe the earlier 5spd is .852-1. The earlier trans actually pulls a little better through the first three gears than the later one. But the late 5spd does lower the rpm by about 12.5% over the early one and by about 25.5% over the 4spd. I have the later trans in my 78. One thing I notice is that the later trans has only one mouning ear on the bottom, below the shifter, on the left side where the exhaust bracket mounts. The earlier ones have on on both sides.

The 5 speed in the early Z's [240z] are a three piece type.model#FS5C71A

HIGH MOUNTED SHIFTER.

1-2.957

2-1.858

3-1.311

4-1.000

5-0.852

The 280z 5 speed is a two piece type with a organic fifth gear sycro.

model#FS5W71B

1-3.321

2-2.077

3-1.308

4-1.000

5-0.864

The 280zx 5 speed is the same model# but has later mods [revearse lock out & lower gearing ratio's]LOCK OUT PLATE IS TEN INCHES LEFT FORWARD OF

SHIFRT TOWER.

1-3.062

2-1.858

3-1.308

4-1.000

5-0.745

Then their is the ZX turbo 5 speed model# FS5R90A [T-5]SQUARE THREE PIECE CASE.

1-3.500

2-2.144

3-1.357

4-1.000

5-0.745

You can get different gear's for your transmission.and I believe you can still find these gears from the dealers.

JZM..

Great info!

So... if my tranny has reverse lock-out, you're saying there's no way it's a 77/78 first-gen 5-speed and could only have come from a ZX? At least if I understand you correctly when you say it's a "later mod."

The simplest way to determine which 5-spd you have is to look at the tabs at the tail of the tranny, one means a ZX (and a '80) and two means an earlier 280Z version. That's it......

The simplest way to determine which 5-spd you have is to look at the tabs at the tail of the tranny, one means a ZX (and a '80) and two means an earlier 280Z version. That's it......

I said that at the end of my initial answer.

Well maybe he didn't see it, but I did Stephen. Thank you.

I indeed saw your mention but thought it needed to be said again with more white space around it so it would stand it.

I indeed saw your mention but thought it needed to be said again with more white space around it so it would stand it.

Cool, there was no intent in my statement, but I do realize that we have to watch how we word things here. All I was saying is that I had mentioned it.

No problem.....