PETEW Posted November 27, 2001 Share Posted November 27, 2001 I think I found a donor car for my '77 280Z. A local guy is selling an entire '83 280ZXT (w/ only 89k mi) for $1000 obo. I figure this is a good route to take because I can use the motor and steal the front calipers and the rear disk brakes, and maybe some of the interior pieces (seats?). My question is, his car is an automatic, and I want to change it to a 5 speed. Do I need to swap electronics, or anything else for that matter? Were the '83 turbo LSD rears or are they still open? Also when I put the turbo motor and trans in do I need to use it's drive shaft or my 280Z driveshaft? Thanks for all the help. Pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GrayZee Posted November 27, 2001 Share Posted November 27, 2001 Well you'll have to get all the electrics from the 83 anyway. (AFM, fuel pump, harness, computer, fuel pump modulator, ect.) but it'll make no difference that your 77 is a manual trans. Just bolt the flywheel, clutch and 5spd trans to the 83 engine. (make sure you put a pilot bearing in the new engine though) Use the 77 driveshaft and don't worry about the diffs. You won't find a LSD until you get to late 80's 300zx turbos. One thing that is different with the automatic cars it that they come with a engine oil cooler (that's a good thing) Another thing you might wanna know is that 1983 is the ONLY year that 280zxt's had hydraulic lifters. Not a bad thing but just hope you never need to replace them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Z-Gad Posted November 27, 2001 Share Posted November 27, 2001 Switching the auto to a manual may not be that easy. Both of the 83 turbo automatics I picked up had a larger outer diameter crankshaft. It was the same diameter coming out of the engine, but had a ridge for a larger inner diameter flexplate for the automatic. I didn't notice it the first time until I tried to put a pressure plate on. I don't know that they were all this way, but the 2 I have seen were. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SleeperZ Posted November 27, 2001 Share Posted November 27, 2001 Actually, the crankshafts are identical - the automatics have a tightly fitting spacer capping the end of the crankshaft to fit the flexplate. You just need to remove, add a pilot bushing, and bolt up the flywheel. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scottyMIz Posted November 28, 2001 Share Posted November 28, 2001 Yea what hey said I love these little guys The seats will fit i had some in my 76z for a while but it's hard to reach the door handle inside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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