rickl750 Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 Hi Guys, I recently bought a 1978 280Z and it came with a 4 speed transmission. So far everything I've seen shows the 78 280Z with a 5 speed. My question is where there any 78 280Z cars made with a 4 speed or do you thing this was a replacement some time ago? Also, if I decide to change to a 5 speed, not having any experience with Datsuns. this should be an easy swap right? Thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Mine Motors Posted September 24, 2007 Share Posted September 24, 2007 ya it is an easy swap, and no i don't think i've ever seen a four speed 280z. so it probabley was put in. you should change it if you ask me. you get betting mpg and the car is nicer to drive. pm if you need a five speed i've got one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240zwannabe Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 ya it is an easy swap, and no i don't think i've ever seen a four speed 280z. so it probabley was put in. you should change it if you ask me. you get betting mpg and the car is nicer to drive. pm if you need a five speed i've got one. i have a 77 with a four speed and i had a 78 with a 4 speed...we got screwed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin240Z Posted September 26, 2007 Share Posted September 26, 2007 The early 280Z came with a 4speed. Late 78, early 79 they changed it to a 5 speed. If you do the swap, I'd suggest the late 280ZX N/A 5speed. It will drop right in with no problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickl750 Posted September 26, 2007 Author Share Posted September 26, 2007 Thanks guys for your responce. I'll be rebuilding the engine by the begining of next year and I'll swap to a 5 speed then or maybe a six speed huh! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daeron Posted October 1, 2007 Share Posted October 1, 2007 really, swapping the tranny itself is only about a two hour job, if that, for those of us who have done it before... my point is that if you want to get that extra cruising milage, i would go ahead and get the fivespeed whenever you get a chance, and swap it in. Its only a matter of bellhousing bolts, remove the shifter, cross member bolts, remove the driveshaft, and drop the tranny. "Installation is the reverse of removal." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickl750 Posted October 2, 2007 Author Share Posted October 2, 2007 Daero, Thank for the info, I might do it before it starts getting cold. thanks, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin240Z Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 "Installation is the reverse of removal." hahaha, that's pretty technical. I wonder why they dont teach that at Jiffy Lube? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m4xwellmurd3r Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 hahaha, that's pretty technical. I wonder why they dont teach that at Jiffy Lube? because it costs to much to teach common sense. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun40146 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 "because it costs too much to teach common sense" WELL SAID!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
datsun40146 Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Damn double posts, delete this if anyone with the "power" see this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin240Z Posted October 3, 2007 Share Posted October 3, 2007 Damn double posts, delete this if anyone with the "power" see this. If you hit edit, there's an option to delete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daeron Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 I was concerned that I might be contacted from the Haynes manual legal folks about plagiarism. I may have left a couple of things out; my post was more of a persuasive bit than an encyclopedic, "tell you how to do it" post. Point is, its a breeze. Use a jack to raise and lower the thing, but you have to use muscles to get it lined up right. It helps to have a friend, but it IS doable by yourself (and I am a SMALL guy with very little upper body strength..) The friend just gives you added stability and help threading bolts; two people can have four bolts threaded and one or two snug (ie, enough to take the load off your hands and arms) rather quickly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickl750 Posted October 4, 2007 Author Share Posted October 4, 2007 Daeron, I know what you mean, I've replaced transmissions on other car and have a good Idea what it entails. But occasionally there are some strange setups. I'm glad to hear is pretty straight forward. Thanks again, Rick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vintage Posted October 4, 2007 Share Posted October 4, 2007 The five speed was an option in 77-78, 4 speeds were standard. I believe 4 speeds were standard in 79 and perhaps 80 as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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