5 speed swap tunnel hole for the shifter

[sboy79]

Hey all,

Want to be sure I do this correctly ONCE since this is the one part of the auto to 5 speed swap that requires permanent modification to the car. 

See my two pics-- It looks like I just use the existing sheet metal as a guide to cut and enlarge the shifter hole for the 5 speed shifter?  Based on other posts I will still need to modify the shifter shaft to clear the front of the hole in the uppermost (shift pattern) gears?

Just working up the courage to cut and looking for a quick confirmation from you experts before I start hacking.

[grannyknot]

I've never done an Auto to 5 spd before but have done a few 4 spd to 5 spd conversions and from your pics it looks like it is very similar.  You may also find that you have to cut a quarter moon relief out of the plastic console to accommodate the shifter in 1st, 3rd and 5th gear.

[sboy79]

5 minutes ago, grannyknot said:

You may also find that you have to cut a quarter moon relief out of the plastic console to accommodate the shifter in 1st, 3rd and 5th gear.

I’m debating heating/bending the shift shaft to avoid that. I’d feel way better about that if there were replacements readily available but they look tough to find. 

[Zed Head]

It's pretty easy to install and remove the shifter after the transmission is in.  You could do any bending after the installation.  Probably metal and console trimming also.

Not clear what you're working on so can't comment on what modifications you might need to do.  Good luck.

[sboy79]

13 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

Not clear what you're working on so can't comment on what modifications you might need to do.  Good luck.

I have a 77 Z automatic and swapping 81 ZX transmission/diff into it.  Any tips would be greatly appreciated Zed! Still prepping everything but looking to install  the transmission and diff to measure for the driveline in the next few weeks.

[Zed Head]

I found this video with a good image of the 280Z shifter hole, below.  I don't think that the 280Z's need shifter bending or notching of the body hole.  I had a 78, 81, and 83 5 speed in my factory 4 speed 76 280Z and had no conflicts.  (I've mentioned that before in other threads.)  I think that Grannyknot has worked on many 240Z's where that might be a problem.

On the console - are you going to use the automatic console?  No idea what that needs.

I don't know why Nissan made the hole so big but it looks like you need that front portion of it.  It looks like they left the pattern for you in your second picture, just follow the edges. 

[sboy79]

10 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

On the console - are you going to use the automatic console?  No idea what that needs.

I would like to use the automatic console if possible. It’s pristine! The car has been in the family since new. Would be tough to find a manual console that doesn’t look beat up next to dash trim. Everything is pretty clean

[Zed Head]

Have you tried to remove that trim piece?  I'll bet it's held by screws.

[Zed Head]

I'd be surprised if they're not the same basic structure but with different trim for manual versus auto.

[cgsheen1]

They are. We did a auto-to-5 speed swap in the '75 280Z and the console didn't change. The auto trans bits came off and manual shift boots went on. We just trimmed the trans tunnel hole forward using the upper piece of sheet metal as a guide. Then just check the shift lever clearance. I have a close ratio ZX 5 speed in my 260 and I definitely bent the rod - BUT I used the straightish ZX shifter, not the early Z shift lever... 

[Zed Head]

I assume that was the early body style shown in your sig?  Maybe that matters.

I used the 280Z 4 speed shifter on all of mine, it swaps right in.  Never tried the ZX shifter.

 

 

[grannyknot]

Whatever particular mods you end up making on your car, can you please take pics of them and post them in this thread? There are lots of different combos when mix and matching and pics would help the next guy reading this thread.

Thanks