1981 200sx 5 speed

[idoxlr8]

Will this transmission work in an L series swap if the bell housing /front case is changed? Couldn’t find a definitive answer anywhere.

Thanks,

Dean

[Zed Head]

Probably.  Which engine in the 200SX?  

Some of the transmissions have shorter tail shaft housings though.  You might need a custom driveshaft.

[idoxlr8]

Don’t know which engine, just know it’s from an 81.

Transmission looks like the zx but bellhousing is definitely not the same.

[Zed Head]

Can you post a picture?  I think there is another 5 speed that Nissan used on the lower power engines.  My 1978 Datsun B210 had a 5 speed but I'm pretty sure it wasn't a 71B 5 speed.  My vague memory is of a much smaller unit.

 

[Zed Head]

I found an old 200SX manual that I had that shows the 71B as the 200SX transmission.  So if you get a Z car front case/housing it should bolt to the engine.  But, as I said, it's been reported the the length might be different.  So it might not be "just like" a Z car 5 speed. 

And, if the tail shaft housing is different the crossmember mounting points might be different, along with the exhaust system hangers.  So, you could probably make it work but it might not be worth the effort.

[idoxlr8]

[Zed Head]

It's a 71B.  I marked the two critical measurements.  One to the mount, and the other for total length.  Get those and somebody can provide a comparison.  I have a a couple out in the garage.

[idoxlr8]

16-1/2 total length to tail shaft casting and 6-5/8 to the cross member hole center.

 

Edited July 17, 2018 by idoxlr8

[Zed Head]

That seems to be what mine are.  So with a front case swap it should work.  You shouldn't have to do any extra work either, bearing swaps or grinding, since the bearings and clearances should be the same.  But the ratios are more like a 280Z, not a 280ZX, apparently.  The Haynes manual that I have says the ratios are 3.321, 2.077, 1.308, 1, and 0.833.  So a 3.54 diff ratio would be about right.

[idoxlr8]

Appreciate that and confirms what I had thought. Wide ratio but I can swap the front housing off my existing 4 speed.

Thanks!

[torynich]

You will have to open up one of the shift fork holes and relocate the reverse switch boss on your four speed bell housing. I just did this with a 86 200sx tranny except I used a five speed bell housing I had laying around.

[Zed Head]

I think that 86 uses the 71C transmission.  His is the 71B.  That's the heart of the topic.

Here's a link that covers some of the models and year changes.  http://datsun1200.com/modules/mediawiki/index.php?title=71-series_Transmission