Ga_Z Posted June 13, 2008 Share Posted June 13, 2008 I have a question and wondered if any of you guys could help. I have not found what I'm looking for using the search. I know a guy who has a Z tranny that I could get very cheap. He thinks that it is a 5 speed but is not sure. Does anyone know how to tell the difference between a 4 and 5 speed by looking at them? Any markings or numbering that would help? Any help would be most appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Six_Shooter Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 I had wondered the same thing, and found what I think is the answer in a for sale thread. The 4 speed has two "nubs" ( for lack of a better description ) near the top of the tranny body, towards the back of the tranny. The 5-speed does not have these. Pics courtosy of aziza z: 5-speed: 4-speed, notice the two bumps or nubs towards the rear of the tranny, just behind the steel divider: This is the only evidence I've been able to find, through searches on here, and the interweebnet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Globerunner513 Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 he could always put the shifter in the transmission, and shift it through the gears? Even a stick might work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue72 Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 That's what I'd do, shift it through the gears. If it has five then its a five speed (seems simple enough). On another note though, there are three different 5 speed transmissions. The early style has two "ears" at the back of the trans near the underside of the shifter location, and the later style has only one. Then there was also a Borg Warner unit available which wouldn't look quite like the ones in the pictures above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ga_Z Posted June 14, 2008 Author Share Posted June 14, 2008 He does not have anything to fit that he can check the gears. Ya'll have been a big help, I printed out the pics and will take them with me when I get to meet up with him. Thanks guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darrel Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 check my pic gallery here. It shows the ears where the shift lever goes between 4 spd, and early and late 5 spds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue72 Posted June 14, 2008 Share Posted June 14, 2008 Even a big screwdriver would do to just run it through the gears, or like Globerunner said, a stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buma Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Whats the diff between the two 5-speeds? I think I saw someone say T5, but what's the other one? Why do people want the T5 one? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin240Z Posted June 15, 2008 Share Posted June 15, 2008 Theres the 280Z 5speed which has a weak fifth gear, theres an NA 280ZX 5 speed with a slightly stronger 5speed, and then there is the Turbo 5speed which is a Borg Warner T5 transmission Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buma Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 I see, so a 5 speed out of anything '79+ is best? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cockerstar Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 In order of both strength and preference: Borg Warner T5 from an '83 turbo 5 speed from a n/a ZX 5 speed from a 280z The T5's only came in the '83 turbos, correct? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Austin240Z Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 The T5's only came in the '83 turbos, correct? Yes I see, so a 5 speed out of anything '79+ is best? yes, but from my understanding, the T5 requires i different sized drive shaft. I'm personally using an 82 NA 2+2 trans in my 240 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blue72 Posted June 16, 2008 Share Posted June 16, 2008 Try http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/ Thats the link to the Z Transmission Calculator. It will tell you what differences there are between the transmissions as far as gear ratios are concerned. I personally run a '78 5 speed in mine because that's what it had when I bought it, although I wouldn't mind a better 5th gear ratio. Also, read this for some more info on the 4 to 5 speed swap: http://www.geocities.com/jasonparuta/gearbox.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ga_Z Posted June 19, 2008 Author Share Posted June 19, 2008 Hey guys, thanks again for the help. I got the motor/tranny for $100. Seemed like a good deal. Not sure of the year but I can track that down by the serial number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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