zx 5 speed shifter modification

[blue 72]

Just to chime in. I have an "A" style transmission. It came from a 5 speed equipped '78 280Z and is mounted in my '72 240Z. No trimming needed whatsoever. I ran it with the original stick, and now with my short shifter kit, and never hit anything.

I also recommend the following link:

http://www.geocities.com/jasonparuta/gearbox.html

Jason (from the above link) has an N/A '81-'83 box in his '73 and didn't have to do any cutting either.

[jmortensen]

Just to chime in. I have an "A" style transmission. It came from a 5 speed equipped '78 280Z and is mounted in my '72 240Z. No trimming needed whatsoever. I ran it with the original stick, and now with my short shifter kit, and never hit anything.

I also recommend the following link:

http://www.geocities.com/jasonparuta/gearbox.html

Jason (from the above link) has an N/A '81-'83 box in his '73 and didn't have to do any cutting either.

The A style trans came in the 70 and up to about mid 71. Everything later is the B style, that would include all of the 5 speeds except the T5. Jason would have been replacing a B with a B as well, so no issues there either.

You must be referring to some other A and B. This is what I'm referring to:

http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/69-83TrannyShifterDrawing.jpg

[soundmasterg]

I am pretty sure all of the "b" transmissions (280Z and ZX) have the shifter in the same spot. The turbo has the T5, and I'm not positive on that one but I think it is close enough that it also doesn't require any modification. Only the "A" series has the shifter in a different position.

Thanks Jon. It sounds like I should be ok in my '72 then without cutting. Once I'm able to track down the parts I need for the swap, then I'll know for sure.

Greg

[Carl Beck]

I am installing an 83 zx 5 speed into an early 240. I dont want to cut the floor pan. I need to have someone measure a modified shifter so I can cut and modify mine to the correct dimensions. Can anyone help me out?

I'm pretty sure that this has been discussed here - in an earlier thread someone posted pictures of their modified shift lever - they had cut it off and rewelded it in another position, then bent it.

Nissan Competition used to sell a "Competition Shifter" that was made to install the newer Type B Competition Transmissions in the Series I/II body. It looked a lot like the MSA Short Throw Shifter.

See: http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/AandBtranny.htm

Note that both the above - change the pivot point at the transmission as well as modifying the shift lever itself.

I'm not going to tell you to use the "Search" function - but this is a case where it might do you some good. It doesn't look like anyone is actually going to measure theirs and send you information... per your request.

good luck,

Carl B.

[blue 72]

Some good info in this thread. I was referring to the 5-speed "a" and "b" Style transmissions (AKA '77-'80 vs. '81-'83). From Bryan Little's personal vocabulary on his site: http://www.datsunzgarage.com/trans/

There do seem to be a few different nomenclatures floating around. I know it gets quite confusing, especially with 4-speed early, mid and late style trans thrown in the mix.

I did get some of my own personal questions answered with your post, Jmortensen, so thank you.

[whamo]

Here are some photos of the 83zx 5speed in my 10/70 240z original automatic car. It appears that a slight trim would allow shifter movement through all of the gears but may put the shifter in an uncomfortable position.

My original post was a special request for dimensions of a modified shifter if someone had one they could measure. I didnt find those measurements in any of the "Searches" I performed.

Edited August 26, 2008 by whamo

[jmortensen]

Here are some photos of the 83zx 5speed in my 10/70 240z original automatic car. It appears that a slight trim would allow shifter movement through all of the gears but may put the shifter in an uncomfortable position.

My original post was a special request for dimensions of a modified shifter if someone had one they could measure. I didnt find those measurements in any of the "Searches" I performed.

Measure from the pivot holes on the ears of the trans where the shifter plugs in to the middle of the hole in the trans tunnel. That's how far you want the shifter to come back. Basically you make the shifter come out the middle of the hole.

[whamo]

Thanks Jon, Thats what Im plannig on doing. When I posted the request I was 2500 miles from the car but had access to a welder. I was hoping to fabricate the shifter while there. It looks like it should be easy to calculate the correct configuration now that the shifter, the car and I are all in the same geographic location.

It doesnt look like I will be able to use the old lower shift boot though.

Edited August 27, 2008 by whamo

[geezer]

Hi Steve - My 10/70 was a half baked project when I aquired it. This was the solution that the former owner came up with for putting the type B 5 speed into it. It did work ok after trimming less than 3/8" off the sheet metal. It was bent so it came back the required amount to bring it up center of the hole, although at an slight angle that interfered slightly with the inner boot and didn't look stock. Also the console was missing, so I didn't know if it would hit it. I have been patiently waiting for a truck shifter to come up for sale somewhere, but no luck yet. I plan to follow Jon's lead, so it is about the same as his and also redrill the ears, when I find one, but I am going to wait till my stock console is in place, so I can ensure there is no interference. I am going to use a slightly larger inner boot also. Till then I can use this one that is a little out of wack, meaning it's not at the optimal bend or welded quite in the correct location and doesn't have the mechanical advantage of Jon's. Pointless to measure anyone elses unless all the variables are the same, such as what car, location of pivot point on trans, what shifter, or using a stock console. Just measure, cut, bend, and weld to put it where you need it to be for your car. Hardest part is finding a truck shifter.

[Six_Shooter]

I just put a 5 speed from an '81 ZX in my '73 two Saturdays ago. My car was originally an automatic. I had installed a 4-speed earlier this year, that required cutting the original shifter hole to clear the shifter. I used the metal trim ring that holds the rubber boot to the floor as a guide. This cuts off both forward threaded bolt holes. This seemed to be the best way to get the shifter to work, seeing as I couldn't even install the shifter with that piece in place. The fact that the boot covered that area also indicated to me that it would not be in a manual car. The 4-speed I installed was from a '77 280Z.

I read on here about this "needed" shifter modification when installing a 5-speed. My solution was to use the 4 speed shifter and it worked perfectly.

I would need to measure but it doesn't look to me like the shifter should come through the middle of the shifter hole, to use the original shifter boot. It seems to be closer to the front of the hole than the middle.

I used the 4 speed shifter in my swap and it fit with the original boot perfectly.

[geezer]

Hi Chris - This is why I mentioned the variables. The early cars originally equiped with type A four speed transmissions had shifter openings in the sheet metal placed further rearward. The change took place with the introduction of the Type B 4 speed at the start of the 1972 model year. It can get confusing when someone relates what they did opposed to what someone else did if the car is earlier than a '72, a different trans is used, a different shifter, etc. It's like comparing apples & oranges.

[Six_Shooter]

Hi Chris - This is why I mentioned the variables. The early cars originally equiped with type A four speed transmissions had shifter openings in the sheet metal placed further rearward. The change took place with the introduction of the Type B 4 speed at the start of the 1972 model year. It can get confusing when someone relates what they did opposed to what someone else did if the car is earlier than a '72, a different trans is used, a different shifter, etc. It's like comparing apples & oranges.

Yeah that's why I tried to put as much info of what I did use in my post. I figured that way people would be able to compare and either apply the info or find that it doesn't apply to them.

How's the project coming, Ron? I hope you're feeling better after what you told me you went through earlier this year.

Any word on when "my" rotissierie will be freed up?