jeromio Posted March 26, 2001 Share Posted March 26, 2001 I just put a 1980 280zx 5speed in my 240. I got it cheap and it didn't have a shifter with it. So I sort of adapted my 4speed shifter. It's kinda crappy. (cut off the end, welded on a 14mm bolt, welded some extra metal to the bolt head, ground it into an approximate ball shape, got a bushing abnd a cliv. pin from the home center and made them fit, etc.) Anyway, I knew the shift lever was gonna be farther forward, but I guess I didn't expect it to be this far forward. And the proper ZX shifter goes straight up from the linkage, rather than my klooged shifter's 1 1/2 inch back spacing. So, is everyone who has the stock 5speed using the stock shifter? MSA apparently used to sell a (hugely expensive) short throw version. Do I have any options other than getting a stock shifter and heavily modifying it? ------------------ 240Z.jeromio.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drax240z Posted March 26, 2001 Share Posted March 26, 2001 Why not heat your shifter up, then bent it to where you want it? I'm using the 5spd shifter with my 5spd. :/ ------------------ Richard Lewis - 1972 240z, Powered by a Nissan 2.8L Turbo Inline 6. Drax240's Turbo Site Beginners Turbo FAQ & Answers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted March 26, 2001 Author Share Posted March 26, 2001 Well, yeah, the 4spd shifter is very temporary. I just wanted to know if there were any decent, somewhat affordable aftermarket shifters available before I dropped the dough on the stock 5spd shifter. I also don't have oxy/acetylene. I doubt MAPP gas is gonna be hot enough. SO that'll mean taking it to a shop. Need to get one firstly.... ------------------ 240Z.jeromio.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted March 28, 2001 Author Share Posted March 28, 2001 Okay, So I got a regular 5speed shifter and installed it yesterday. It shifts much better. I've also got a line on an extra shifter to have bent up - this thing is just way too close to the console. Has anyone got any suggestions for the shifter boot issue? I cut about an inch out of the tunnel to clear the shifter. It sits way up front - the stock 4spd rubber boot is useless. I can get it to fit and only leave 1/4 inch or so of space at the back, but then as soon as it's shifted into 1st, 3rd or 5th, the boot comes undone - can't possibly stretch that far. So, do I need to just "fashion" one form materials at hand? It's kinda noisy not having one at all. ------------------ 240Z.jeromio.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted March 28, 2001 Share Posted March 28, 2001 jeromio, I just put a Pro 5.0 shifter on my Tremec 5spd and it is forward and wider than the stock shifter, so I too had to trim the tunnel 3/4" inch or so on the sides to clear the shifter. I'm considering getting a Mustang 5.0 inner shift boot and ring, as a picture I've see shows it to probably fit fairly well, except for the aft portion of the stock hole in the tunnel. This I will fill in with a piece of sheet metal screwed and caulked down in the aft area of the OE hole. Maybe this would work for you? ------------------ Pete Paraska - 73 540Z - Marathon Z Project pparaska@home.com Pete's V8 Datsun 240Z Pages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 29, 2001 Share Posted March 29, 2001 I've done the same mod. I used a 5 speed rubber boot. You will need to cut the hole bigger and use some self tapping screws to hold it there. The best way to bend the shifter is to take the hole car to a welder so you can get it the way you want it. If I remember right it's like an 's' bend. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted March 30, 2001 Share Posted March 30, 2001 You want to be careful with the rubber shift boots. Most of the aftermarket shifters for T-5's have adjuster screws on the top and bottom to avoid overshifting. The rubber boot will insert itself between the shifter and the adjuster and the trans wont go all the way into gear, creating some serious problems (missing teeth). Simpson makes a leather shifter cover that is large enough and good looking as well. krysd Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeromio Posted March 30, 2001 Author Share Posted March 30, 2001 I was at the advanced auto store picking up something else and I saw that they had some generic Mr.Gasket rubber shift boots. I bought one ($8) and it looks like it'll work pretty nicely. ------------------ 240Z.jeromio.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pparaska Posted March 31, 2001 Share Posted March 31, 2001 Krys D, Good point on the boot into the shifter/stop issue. The page I found on Pro 5.0 shifter installation, and the instruction the came with the shifter describe cutting teh center of the OE Mustang inner boot so that it fits around the aluminum casting, below the shift-stop bolts. This method should keep the boot out of the shifter and bolts. I plan on backing this up with the application of a large hose clamp the secures the boot to the housing Most of these aftermarket shifters have a top plate (that the stop bolts thread into) that is a larger diameter than the shifter housing, so a clamp should ensure that the boot doesn't slide up over the top plate. I'll take pics and post them when I do this. ------------------ Pete Paraska - 73 540Z - Marathon Z Project pparaska@home.com Pete's V8 Datsun 240Z Pages Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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