auto to 4 speed

[jiman]

i have a 75 280z with the 3 speed auto. i have a friend with a 4 speed manual. he said he would trade me the 4 speed for the automatic. should i do it, is one worth more than the other? and what is needed to make the swap? besides pedals, master, slave. any info or input would be appreciated.

[IdahoKidd]

My opinion: I have two identical 240's, one an auto, one a manual.

More people seem to prefer the manual over the auto, most have never driven the auto.

For in-town driving, the auto is awesome. I don't think there is much of a performance loss. The auto barks the tires on the shift.

I wouldn't consider the effort for the swap with a 4 speed. If I were going to the trouble, I'd go with a five speed while you have it out.

Is your auto giving you grief? Is his 4 speed solid? You'll likely need a new clutch while your at it.

It is a relatively major event timewise. Do you have the time and the ability to do so?

Personally, I don't think the net gain is worth the trouble if your tranny is sound, and definately not for a 4 speed.

Everyone has an opinion. Other than the cool factor, I don't think you gain a thing.

[wavemux]

If you do not want to go the route of a complete tranny swap you can install a shift kit in your auto. It will give you quicker, smoother shifts. The kits are inexpensive and, if you are mechanically inclined, you can install them yourself.

[jiman]

the auto shifts really hard, and it only shifts at 3500, whether you floor it or take it easy. im not sure if this is normal or not for the old 3 speed. but i would agree about the 5 speed, the only thing is the 4 speed would be free, and i cant really afford the 5 speed. other reason, ive only ever driven manual and i really miss it. Im pretty decent with cars, im a mechanic and have a 500whp mk3 supra.

[IdahoKidd]

jiman, sounds like it could be a shift solenoid problem. Check the vacuum lines and find a way to test the solenoid.

[tlorber]

I agree about the 5 speed. The ZX trannys are out there and not uncommon. For $200.00 or so you'll find one if you keep an eye out. For another $130.00 you can rebuild it with a kit. That way you know everything is good to go for another 150k miles.

As stated above, if you're going through the hassle of pulling everything apart you might as well get what you want.

[jiman]

yeah that's a good point, because I'm sure once I put the 4 speed in, I will then want a 5 speed. And I might put a different motor in it somewhere down the road after the supra's done.

[Steve Parmley]

The swap from auto to manual is pretty involved. First I would suggest using a 5 speed. I did the swap using this thread by Arne and as you can see the transmission is just part of the swap.

http://www.classiczcars.com/forums/showthread.php?t=21274

Edited January 24, 2011 by Steve Parmley

[Gary in NJ]

More people seem to prefer the manual over the auto, most have never driven the auto.

Or want to.

I've owned nearly 20 cars in the last 30 years, not one an automatic. The day may be coming soon (as fewer and fewer cars are offered with proper transmissions), but I'll be the last man on earth to go to the dark side.

Regarding the swap, as noted above it is an involved process, but it's a bolt-on process with no fabrication. In your favor you can do a part-for-part exchange between the two cars, so you can note what has been removed and/or modified.

The 5-speed would be nice to have, but I find the 4-speed in character of the car. Keep in mind, I use the Z for weekend enjoyment, so fuel economy and rpm's at cruise mean little to me.

Edited January 24, 2011 by Gary in NJ