5 speed in a 4 speed question

[khatru z]

Hello...I have had my 1972 Z for 29 years and have always wanted a 5 speed trans. It now has a 4 speed. I have a friend that has a 5 speed from a 1982 280ZX . He says it will fit right in my Z but I'm not so sure. Does anyone know if it will bolt in ? I can also get the drive shaft if needed. Thanks in advance...

Dave

[e_racer1999]

it will bolt right in. that's it. al you need is the tranny, clutch, pressure plate.

said and done! oh, and also take out the speedo gear from your current tranny and put it in the 5 speed. but be careful! my tranny ate mine

[zbane]

e_racer-you type too fast.

[khatru z]

THANKS for the info...So I don't need the driveshaft ?? ....I have 11 cars but I don't think there is room at the bottom for all of them. I have been reading this forum for years but never really had a question. I just got a engine with webers from Craigslist so I will probably be back.

Dave

[e_racer1999]

zbane - sorry

dave - take the driveshaft anyway. check and see which one looks to be in better shape. IIRC the 280zx driveshaft that i had was equipped with zerc (sp?) fittings, but unfortunately it was dinged, and that's a no-no

[hd240z]

Welcome to the forum.

A search will provide more details on the swap that many have done including myself. You may need a different shift lever for the 5 speed to fit your console and maintain the same reach from the drivers seat.

Good Luck

[e_racer1999]

^FWIW i used a '79 5-speed and used my old shift lever and it worked beautifully.

[khatru z]

it will bolt right in. that's it. al you need is the tranny, clutch, pressure plate.

said and done! oh, and also take out the speedo gear from your current tranny and put it in the 5 speed. but be careful! my tranny ate mine

I'm SO confused...Are the clutch and pressure plate the same ?????

[khatru z]

" You may need a different shift lever for the 5 speed to fit your console and maintain the same reach from the drivers seat."

What kind of shift lever will I need ?

[e_racer1999]

I'm SO confused...Are the clutch and pressure plate the same ?????

let's put it this way: you can use either clutch/pressure plate/clutch fork combo - from the 280ZX or from the 240, but all three pieces have to be a matching set.

as for the shifter, it depends on what tranny you're using. i don't remember the tranny types by year, but for my tranny i used the stock 240Z shift lever and for all purposes it feels exactly the same as it did with the 4 speed

[240ZX]

Khatru z, One additional thing to consider.....with a 5spd from a ZX, you will likely want to change the gearing in your differential to 3.90 gears. (this gearing is what the ZX tranny is matched to for best overall gearing on the street). Many guys just swap out their R180 diff to an R200 diff to get that gearing, as the a naturally asperated ZX comes with an R200 w/3.90 gearing. All the info is in the archives and if not there, visit the HybridZ site.

Tom

[hd240z]

" You may need a different shift lever for the 5 speed to fit your console and maintain the same reach from the drivers seat."

What kind of shift lever will I need ?

My 5 speed was from an 83 and the shift lever was too far forward. My 71 shift lever was completely different, so I found one from a 79 that had the correct offset and it was an easy swap. I know some other years (77 - 79?)also have the same offset, but I can't remember right now. The nylon bushings in an old shifter will probably be worn out, but they are also an easy fix.

Good Luck