Oh! I wonder what % of those two model years had 5s?

Not really sure about 77s but most of the 78s I've seen (including mine) that weren't automatics were 5 speeds.

Put in a diff from an auto car. Higher ratio which will lower your revs.

Makes for a nicer drive IMHO. You would need to swap the speedo drive on the gearbox for a different one to correct your speedo reading, but that is very easy done.

I have a diff from an auto 3.54-1 ratio in my 72 and it does 3000 at 60 mph in fourth. I never use fifth.

Edited March 14, 201114 yr by olzed

The fuel smell could very well be the rear weather strip. Either it has been removed or it is rotted. As you drive along the car creates a vacuum behing it sucking the smell of the exhaust right into the car. A BIG WELCOME. I echo what everyone else says about modifications. Get it road worthy and ultra reliable first and then knock off one improvement at a time. May you drive many miles with a BIG

Congrats and welcome to the Z family! I have a 77 280z, original paint was green on mine but it looks like someone took a paint brush and a bucket of interior paint to it before I bought it.

http://www.desertzassociation.com/

http://desertdatsuns.freeforums.org/index.php

These are the two z clubs here in the valley. Desertz is the older of the two and the members are older, more of a social group with lots of events. The other is limited to cars older than 1984. A much younger group that is more tech oriented.

Check them out as they can provide a lot of information. DesertZ costs $30.00 a year but gets major discounts at the dealerships for parts and service.