78 280z transmission

[Guest Z-rific]

My '78 originally came with a 4 speed. I was told they are rare, but they are out there. And mine wasn't a stripped version, as it came with AC also.

[Guest livewire23]

Im buying a 77 with a 4 speed. Is the 4 better? I would've rather had the 5 if all things are equal.

[yo2001]

78 came with 4 and 5 speed. The 5 speed is like 4+overdrive no difference in 1st-4th gear. The overdrive is not that great though. Only about 500rpm difference on the interstate.

[Guest Anonymous]

Following the introduction in 1977, the 5 speeds were originally considered to be weaker than the 4 speed but after all these years the weak sisters in the 5 speeds did not survive. The 5 speed is slightly longer requiring a shorter drive shaft. I once put a "shorter" 4 speed from a 620 pickup in a OEM equipped 5 speed 1977 280 that (5 sd) failed. Your car may have been originally equipped with a 5 speed. I used the OEM "short" 5 speed drive shaft with the pickup tranny.5 speeds tend to place less wear on the engine with the fifth gear. I found 620 pick-ups with 5 speeds had the best motors.

[Guest ottocycle]

Was the 1978 280z offered with a 4 speed manual transmission or only a 5 speed? I'm currently looking to buy a 78 z and it appears to have a four speed in it. I've read that the 5 speed in the 77/78 280z's had problems with the fifth gear (something to do with the shift fork). Could this be the case with the car I mentioned?

 

Thanks