lester Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 I have a 78 280z 2+2 that has the original 4 speed tranny that works great. I have a chance to get a five speed tranny out of a 80 280zx that had 70k miles on it for a really good price. I've done some searching on here and haven't found a definitive answer to my questions. First off is it worth it to swap it out, or do I stay with my 4speed? I like the take off Speed i have with my z now, but some more power off the line would also be nice. Will this tranny add anything off the line, or will my car be a slug now with takeoff? I obviously know the 5 speed will get me more mpg. I plan to stick with my stock rear end (I believe r200,correct me if I'm wrong). Also would I have to change my flywheel or anything with switching to the five speed? Obviously I know there will be mixed responses to this, I just want to know what results I will get and different opinions. Thanks in advance for the help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Josh280z Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 (edited) There are some things to switch around. If you don't want to change out the clutch and pressure plate you'll want to use the the throwout collar from your current transmission and use it on the new transmission. Also, you'll want to switch out the speedo cog from your current transmission and put it in the new one as well. It won't help or hurt you're take off, but you will have that extra gear. It is definitely worth it to switch over to the 5 speed. If you want more power off the line, get a higher gear ratio rear end or you know do engine modifications..... EDIT: I don't know what diff you have. Edited July 17, 2013 by Josh280z Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lester Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share Posted July 17, 2013 Thanks for the response. Yeah I know a different rear end and engine mods will help, I just wasn't sure if the tranny would effect anything in that aspect. I read up somewhere that some 5speeds mixed with a certain rear end will take off like a slug. I guess it all comes down to which rear end comes standard in a 78 2+2. Any one have any insight to this? It would be great to have that extra gear for sure,and almost everywhere I read says to look for a five speed. I also read somewhere that the 80 5speed had different ratios compared to all the other 5speeds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beermanpete Posted July 17, 2013 Share Posted July 17, 2013 Certain 5-speeds do have slightly different gear ratios compared to the 4-speed but not significantly so. The only significant feature of the 5-speed is 5th gear. Assuming you leave the differential the same any performance changes will be very slight, especially for normal street driving. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lester Posted July 17, 2013 Author Share Posted July 17, 2013 Awesome, thanks for the reply. That's helpful knowing that not much will change besides the fact of having that extra gears and keeping the rpms down compared to the 4speed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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