280zx 5sp in a 73 240?

[wa5ngp]

I've got an old 81zx that has seen better days, actually fixable but the cancer on it is sooo bad. Anyway, it has a low mileage 5sp tranny in it.

Will it fit in my 73 240z? I'm thinking a bit better mileage and quieter for the 240 that is in much better shape and is now my daily driver. I don't want to get into a big project but if it would fit w/o a lot of effort I'll hold onto the ZX long enough to get that tranny out unless my wife overrules.

tks

Don

[d240zx2]

Rule number one: Get wifey's approval before you do anything.

After obtaining that approval, drop the 5-speed into the 240. You may have to change the driveshaft length and modifiy the tunnel to accommodate the shifter, but it'll be worth it.

[e_racer1999]

from ZX - tranny

from Z - everything else

the end

might not be THAT simple, but do a search because this has been covered many a time before and the driveshafts are identical, so use which ever is better looking.

[FairladyZS30]

i just did that swap today the only trouble im having is that the shifter hit my center console but everything is okay you can still use the same drive shaft from the 4speed

[sblake01]

Which shifter are you using?

[e_racer1999]

^i used my 4speed shifter, no prob

[sblake01]

I was wondering if he used the ZX shifter. It'll hit the console.

[Walter Moore]

The PO of my car had a 280Z 4 speed installed, and whatever shifter he used hits the console. But then on a 71 you have to cut out the floor to get the later transmissions to work at all.

[zbane]

from ZX - tranny

from Z - everything else

Not quite, Jason.

It should read:

from zx - tranny

from z - everything else

everything left over from zx goes to zbane for free

the end

[FairladyZS30]

im using the zx shifter...and tahnks i didnt know that ill use my 4 speed

[wa5ngp]

well, I violated rule number 1 a long time ago, the 240 was bought in 76 and somehow the wife thought having a 2+2 would be cool back in 86 so that's how I got where I am. Of course nothing I have is cool now.

I daily drivered to death the zx and replaced the tranny from one that burned up that had only 56K miles so that's why I'm thinking its a good candidate. That ac was cold while it lasted too.

So, sounds like a reasonable possbility of a tranny swap. Probably the number one restraint will be the sewer pipe style exhaust that I'll have to take loose.

I'll search the archives further.

from all the responses I got you'd think I was trolling.

tks

don:knockedou

[jmortensen]

Along with the trans, it's a good idea to upgrade the diff. The ZX trans is a close ratio unit and has a higher gear ratio spread than the Z unit. The Z diff is a high ratio, which works with the low ratio 4 speed transmission, but put it together with the high ratio 5 speed, and you'll be doing 2000 rpm at 70 mph, you'll have no torque for passing, and you'll have to downshift on the slightest hill. Couple that ZX trans with the ZX diff which should be a 3.90, or go find a 4.11, and then you'll have quicker acceleration than with the 240's 3.36 diff and you'll still be OK on the freeway.

This might help: http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/