Clutch Recommendations - 280ZX 5 speed

[SSuspect]

Hi all,

I am going to yank the L28 and 5 speed out of the donor car in a couple of weeks and was wondering which clutch kit I should go with.

I will convert the EFI L28 over to my SU's. I will be using the 5 speed from the '83 ZX. I will also be installing a 4:11 diff into the stock R180 rear end.

I am going to get the flywheel resurfaced and was looking for a good clutch kit (disc, pressure plate, pilot and throwout). Not looking to spend a fortune and don't need any HD race units.

There are a million options out there and any input is appreciated!

Thanks,

Tim

[Darrel]

Check the old one first. Maybe the kid had that done already. But stock unit will be fine for the driving you should be doing. It has held up fine in my 240 in 6 yrs, a dozen track days and a trip to long beach and back.

We still gotta school you on the rearend on these things. We'll replace the whole rearend, no need to swap internals. I guess Jason will help us with the tear down and bring the 4.11 with him when he does?

[ktm]

Just get an OEM replacement. No reason to purchase a Centerforce, SPEC, ACT, etc.

[Pop's Z]

Tim, Kenny and I put the 5-spd I got from Dave on Sunday. I'm pretty sure it was not a 77-78 one. I'm pretty positive it was from a later car, i.e.: one "ear", different shift ears(wouldn't fit the nice quick shift I bought from MSA), speedo retainer bolt hole on the down side, the car feels real "long-legged" now, etc. I told Dave the joke was on him. Anyway I got my clutch disc, pressure plate, T/O bearing and clutch collar(very important to match up the collar with the pressure plate i.e. either all 240 or all 280) from MSA. I used all 280Z parts. With my classiczcarclub discount the pressure plate was $70.16, the disc was $42.07, the clutch collar was $17.79, the T/O bearing was $13.99, pilot bearing(unneeded...the old one was fine) $5.07, and the clutch pilot tool was $5.95. The pressure plate was an Excidy, The disc was some brand I never heard of, but it all came together well and works just fine. If you get "genuine Nissan parts" it will run you about twice as much for the pressure plate and disc. If you have any questions about it give me a shout by email or phone.

Cheers, Mike

[ktm]

The pressure plate was an Excidy' date=' The disc was some brand I never heard of, but it all came together well and works just fine.

[/quote']

It's not Excidy but Exedy. The clutch disk was probably Daikin, and it's my understanding that they manufacture OE disks.

[Pop's Z]

Bo, Thanks for the spell-check. My spelling is only so-so, especially since I've been known for brain farts (ask 1 Bravo 4, right, Rick?). I was just too lazy to go down to look on the box. I had heard of Exedy before. Thanks for the Daikin disc info, too. That's exactly what it was. Like I said it all seems to work really well.

Cheers, Mike

[Darrel]

Mike, if you have time you could try grinding down the ears where the lever goes to make it fit. The tranny Dave had probably had the medium length ears, the msa short throw shifter is made for the 4 spd.

We'll be doing this mod on Tim's donor tranny. Pics of the short throw mod are in my pic gallery.

4 spd- short ears

early 5 spd-- medium length ears

late 5 spd-- taller ears enabling to drill for pivot approx 1" higher.

[SSuspect]

Cool! Thanks for all of the info guys. I was figuring that the stock setup would be fine as a replacement.

Glad you got the 5 speed installed Mike! I "almost" want to install the 4 speed in the car just to get that "what a difference" feel after I put the 5 speed in it!

Since I need to separate the engine/trans anyway (for cleaning/painting/etc...), I am planning on replacing everything (clutch wise) while it is apart. The new clutch setup and a few other things are just for peace of mind on my part. I would rather spend the extra $300-$500 while everything is put of the car than to have to lay under the car to do all of it.

Seeing what that kid did to the interior and the general condition of the rest of the car, I have serious doubts he had any clue whatsoever how to "maintain" the car...

Now - If I could just decide whether or not I am going to refinish the engine compartment while the engine is out (I think that I am)... :tapemouth

Thanks again!

Tim

[Pop's Z]

Bo, the clutch disc is a Paraut-Japan (motto: "As it is people who drive automobile, Paraut seeks high quality and safety reliability. This is the message from Paraut"). It seemed ok...time will tell. It was listed for a: car Laurel:SC33, model Skyline:HR31. Size 225*150, spline 25.4*T24. I'm not to sure what that all means, but I know Nissan made a lot of parts that fit a lot of different models.

Darrel, too late, it's gone back to MSA. Besides I can use the $$ for other things. FWIW the shifter out of my 4-spd actually feels shorter/quicker. It doesn't go as far forward as it used to, but the movement to the rear is the same. There are no clearance issues (console-wise) on my 73.

Cheers, Mike