5 speed install

[Weasel73240Z]

I'm getting ready to put the 79 280ZX 5-speed into my 73. I noticed that the 5 speed only has one electrical connection, toward the front of the tranny near the shift fork boot. I assume its for the reverse lights. The 4 speed had 2 elec. connections (back-up lights and neutral switch I guess).

If I don't connect the neutral switch, is that annoying seatbelt buzzer going to be going off all the time?

[jtl260z]

I'm getting ready to put the 79 280ZX 5-speed into my 73. I noticed that the 5 speed only has one electrical connection, toward the front of the tranny near the shift fork boot. I assume its for the reverse lights. The 4 speed had 2 elec. connections (back-up lights and neutral switch I guess).

If I don't connect the neutral switch, is that annoying seatbelt buzzer going to be going off all the time?

I did the 5 speed swap on my 260 years ago. I left the neutral switch disconnected and nothing happened. I don't know if it has anything to do with the seat belt buzzer but if it does all you have to do is connect the 2 wires together. The switch acts as a connector for the wires.

[Weasel73240Z]

So I got the 5-speed tranny installed, pretty simple bolt-up (79 ZX 5-speed into my 73 240Z). Problem is, the 20-tooth pinion gear that I needed to correct the speedo (new 4.11 R180 installed also) doesn't fit. The 20-tooth pinion is larger (diameter) than the 18-tooth that was in the tranny, and won't mesh with the drive gear. The issue is discussed several times in the forum, but I couldn't find the info I needed.:stupid:

It seems that there is an "offset" sleeve that will make it work, but I can't find a Nissan part# for it. Does anybody have the part number for the offset sleeve? Or is there another mod. that I can do to make this one work? It looks like installing the sleeve "upside down" would work, but then the groove that locks the sleeve in place would be on the bottom.

Thanks.

[sblake01]

Cut a new groove. I did that once on a 510 with a Dremel and it actually worked! There's probably a better way to do it......

[ChrisZ]

Here ya go :http://datsunzgarage.com/engine/ scroll down to transmission, i think it cover most of what you want to know.

Chris

BTW. bookmark this web page, tons of good info.

[Weasel73240Z]

Cut a new groove. I did that once on a 510 with a Dremel and it actually worked! There's probably a better way to do it......

I was ready to try that last night Stephen, but I was afraid I'd screw something up and stopped myself. Having just taken advantage of the newly relaxed pot laws in MA before heading to my garage:smoke:, I didn't think it was a good time to break out the dremel.:paranoid: I suppose there no harm in trying it, since the sleeve won't work as it is anyway. I'll give it a shot and let you know how it works out.

[Pop's Z]

FWIW, I did this on my 4:11/5spd swap. I was able to get a red speedo cog for a 4:11 from Oliver the Zman of Washington (www.zspecialties.com). I just cut a new slot w/ my Dremel. I put 2 or 3 cutting blades together and it cut the slot in minutes. Be careful and take your time. Later on I got a pinion holder from a ZX and used it. Either method works just fine.

Cheers, Mike

[Weasel73240Z]

Thanks Mike. I actually cut a new groove into the sleeve last night, and it looks like it'll work fine. But I did it at night, and didn't feel like climbing under the car to try it out. Very simple mod, took me about 15 minutes.

[ezzzzzzz]

Give up the weed. It is a huge waste of time and money (and that doesn't compare to the short and long term $$$/implications if you get busted!). Back to the subject at hand. Slotting works fine. There are two different speedo gear housings that can be used. These have the slots in different locations allowing for different size speedo gears. I have several around the garage. I use one in my 240SX KA tranny installed in the 240Z. Now that I'm going to Revolution gauges I think I need to pick up another stock VSS to use.

[Weasel73240Z]

Give up the weed. It is a huge waste of time and money (and that doesn't compare to the short and long term $$$/implications if you get busted!). Back to the subject at hand. Slotting works fine. There are two different speedo gear housings that can be used. These have the slots in different locations allowing for different size speedo gears. I have several around the garage. I use one in my 240SX KA tranny installed in the 240Z. Now that I'm going to Revolution gauges I think I need to pick up another stock VSS to use.

With respect ezzzzzzz, I'm a 40-year old man, with a very good job at a company that doesn't invade their employees privacy (i.e. no testing) and I have no kids. I have ample free time and money to make the choices that I make. I live in a state where minor possession is not a crime, but a civil violation (i.e. a parking ticket, more or less). I appreciate the social commentary, but I believe in freedom of choice, and 20 years of exercising my freedoms hasn't really held me back.

But more than anything, I respect your right to express your opinion. It just isn't the same as mine.

Back to the point, I tried the modification, and I'm heading out to the garage in about an hour to give it a try.

[Weasel73240Z]

I finished the 5-speed/4.11 swap this weekend. I attached a few pics. I decided to introduce a little color into the suspension, so I painted the half-shafts and control arms a gun metal gray, everything else is black. I held off on the rear sway bar for now, I'm gonna see how I like the ride with the new struts and decide if I need the bar. Most of my driving is in a straight line anyway. :devious:

I don't care how many times you've laid under a car while its up on jack stands, but that is an un-friggin-comfortable position to be in. I'm glad to be done underneath the car for the Winter. Nothing scarier than shaking the tranny around to get the shaft in, while the car is held up on four small metal stands. I've been working on cars my whole life, and I still hate being under there.

The work itself went really easy, no major issues. The speedo issue was easily resolved. I cut a new notch on the pinion sleeve exactly 180 degrees opposite of the original (factory) groove. The pinion slid right in and engaged the tranny gear, no problem.

The half-shafts, driveshaft, mounts and all of the other original components from the original 4-speed/old differential worked fine without any mod's. at all.

Now I just need the freaking snow and salt off the roads, should be good to go around May.....:mad: