The previous owner of my 71 Z put a four speed transmission back into it and i assumed it was from an early z car. Then i noticed the other day that someone wrote "77 280Z" on the transmission. i'm not sure of the name of the part is that it was written on it, but i could see it from looking down into the engine bay standing on the driver's side.

So my questions are, how can i tell where the transmission came from? Did 280's come in 4 speed?

perhaps i wasn't even looking at the transmission in the first place! i don't know much about cars, but i love learning about them.

Thanks,

Ty

4 speeds were standard in all the US Z's up to 78, the 5 speed in 77-78 was an option.

There is only one small difference in the 280 transmission you have and the one that was standard in your 71, and that is the shifter.

The early A model that came in cars up to 71 were equipped with a shifter that was not part of the transmission case and it was not as good as the later B model shifter.

IMHO opinion, leave it the way it is, the B model is a better shifting transmission. Unless you are into a 100 point concourse restoration, no one will ever care.

Thanks 2manyZ's, I appreciate your time.

At first i wanted an original Z, but the four speed isn't doing it for me on the freeway. So, I am actually thinking about putting a 5 speed in.