CRS

Haha, both when it comes to a 280z

Happy to say I now have 5 forward gears!!! Shifts well, no noise, whine or any vibration from the car. Noticed it accelerates a bit better due to the different ratios between the 4 and 5 speed. Also got up to 70-72mph @ ~2600rpm in 5th. To have the same speed out of the old trans I'd be at 3100-3200rpm. Another plus is that the leaking trans, diff, slave cylinder and hose are now gone. Looked like I was drill crude oil under the car. Thanks everyone for your help, feedback and tips throughout the process!

I didn't see any leaks from the back of the block. I only changed the rear main since I was there. I did have to replace the oil pan gasket and valve cover gasket last month or so.

Side seal? Which one are you referring to?

I thought I'd mention the removal of my pilot bearing. Tried the grease and dowel method but after 43 years it wasn't coming out. Ended up renting a puller from autozone. The pics of the puller on the flywheel are for reference only. When I made the actual pull it was against the crank only.

Ok, thanks all.

I have the MT90 for my trans. That's good to go. For the diff should I get the redline GL5? It's 75w90.

Ah, ok. Was thinking it would be fine. I'll get the redline GL5 (57904) Thanks for saving my diff!

Right the diff type of oil and capacity. I'll just use the MT90 for both to keep it simple.

Thanks. Manual mentions GL5 but I hear not to use. I'll go with the MT90.

For the trans and diff oil are there any recommendations? I heard many prefer Redline MT90, synthetic 75w90. Also read some go as high as 140 which may be a little much. Has anyone used Lucas synthetic 75w90 or Valvoline synthetic? Both are at the local parts store were the Redline will need to be ordered.

Yep the 83 5 speed only has the backup light switch. Not like the 4 speed with 3. I'm only going to hook up the backup light switch during installation as that all the new trans has.

@Dave WM see the 3 connectors I have on the side? The one missing the leads is for the backup lights. They broke off when I unplugged them. The one in the back leads me to believe it's for reverse lockout. I guess the 83 280zx 5 speed is mechanical instead.

Looks good. Here is what the 4 speed looks like I removed.

Thanks for the tips.

Yep it's moving along. Will be glad once done. I bought a felpro rear main. It's going in tomorrow with the new clutch setup and flywheel. I'll snap some pics too. It's amazing how much gear oil and dirt is all over the trans and diff.

True. When I pull the old clutch setup I'll compare to the new one. That's for tomorrow. Looking at this car they may be original parts. At this point diff and trans are on the ground. Good time to stop. Thanks all for the help.

Thanks. They are now moved over. Time to move the pinion flange that the drive shaft mounts to. Mine is square the new one is round.

For the clutch the part numbers for the 75 and 83 2+2 donor are the same. I should be fine. Just dropped the diff to replace with the 83 zx one that the 5 speed came from. It's a 3.90 ratio. Noticed my CV shafts have the flange with studs and the new ones don't. Do I need to take apart my old diff to move them over?

Also just checked the connector with the black wires and it's for the backup lights.

No lights that I noticed. It will start in neutral clutch up or down. Also started in gear clutch up or down. Thought I'd give it a try in gear since the car is in the air. There isn't any safety features.

I was surprised by the number of connectors too. So I only need the one with black wires next to the fill plug?

And they all run to this connector under the hood.

One connector by the speedo and the second pic has 2.