Got my 5 speed

[Weasel73240Z]

I got my 5 speed out of the 79 ZX in that local boneyard. So now I can complete the R180 4.11/5-speed conversion. I can't wait to drive the car again in the Spring. Between the tranny/diff swap, the new rear struts and the new rear sway bar, I'll be looking for punks in Mustangs to run past. :classic:

Apart from changing fluid, what should I do to the tranny before installing it? Its got about 65K on it, and it was driven to where it sits.

The best part, I made the finals in my fantasy football league yesterday, which guarantees my at least $330, and up to $700. Cost of the 5 speed and the 4.11 R-180 package...$350. If I win the final this week, all of this Winters upgrades will be paid for by my buddies.

[MEZZZ]

What a deal, you oughtta play the lottery while you are on a roll

[Arne]

Weasel, I'd change out the seals (both front and rear). If the tranny has been sitting for a while, they are likely to be a trouble spot at some point in the future. Probably new shifter bushings as well.

[Weasel73240Z]

That's what I was thinking Arne. So I'll do the seals, fluids and the bushings. I also have to get the 22-tooth gear so my speedo works with the 4.11 diff.

Anyone had luck heating/bending the 5-speed shifter so they fit in original 4-speed cars?

[Pop's Z]

Weasel, If your car is a '73 you can just use your old lever from the 4spd. That will actually make it a "shorter shifter". This is what I did and it works perfectly. I would get some new shifter bushings and you would be good to go. You can get a 22 tooth speedo cog from Zman of Washington www.zspecialties.com. Oliver is a good guy to work with and honest as the day is long.

Cheers, Mike

Edited December 16, 2008 by Pop's Z

[Weasel73240Z]

Weasel' date=' If your car is a '73 you can just use your old lever from the 4spd. That will actually make it a "shorter shifter". This is what I did and it works perfectly. I would get some new shifter bushings and you would be good to go. You can get a 22 tooth speedo cog from Zman of Washington [url']www.zspecialties.com. Oliver is a good guy to work with and honest as the day is long.

Cheers, Mike

I didn't realize that my 4-speed shifter would work. I actually replaced the original plastic bushings with CNC'd brass bushings this past Summer on the 4-speed, so it should be all set.

Thanks for the speedo gear source.

[mike260z]

what do you needed for the trans. swap? the zx trans. fits in all z cars?

[Weasel73240Z]

what do you needed for the trans. swap? the zx trans. fits in all z cars?

The ZX tranny's do bolt up, but I believe the Borg-Warner 5 speed (out of Turbo ZX's) requires some modifications. If you get a 5 speed from a 77 - 83 NA 280Z/ZX, it'll bolt right up, you just have to open up the hole in the tranny tunnel for the new shifter pattern.

[sblake01]

If you get a 5 speed from a 77 - 83 NA 280Z/ZX, it'll bolt right up, you just have to open up the hole in the tranny tunnel for the new shifter pattern.

I thought that was only true on the early cars, i.e. the ones that were originally fitted with a type A trans.

[Weasel73240Z]

The best part, I made the finals in my fantasy football league yesterday, which guarantees my at least $330, and up to $700. Cost of the 5 speed and the 4.11 R-180 package...$350. If I win the final this week, all of this Winters upgrades will be paid for by my buddies.

Just thought I'd update you guys...I won, BIG (155-117). Thanks to Antonio Bryant, Reggie Wayne and De'angelo Williams, all Winter 2008 upgrades paid for by my friends. :bandit:

As far as the tranny tunnel thing...you'd certainly know better than me Stephen since this is my first Z. But I thought it was the case for all original 4-speeds.

Edited December 23, 2008 by Weasel73240Z

[sblake01]

From what I understand, if you use the 77-78 shifter on any of the 5 speeds, you don't have to cut anything except in the earliest cars.