Robert Campbell
Club Member
As others on here will tell you I understand there are a few options for gearbox swaps. The two I have heard of are from the S13 and S14.
Have a look at Huw's S14a gearbox install in his 280zx which may help let you know what kind of issues crop up, although it wont be the same on your car.
Also here is a link to an S13 install in a 240z.
Found this link that may help identify your current gearbox. I am guessing there must be some way to tell the difference by the gearbox number?
Thanks very much. My Dad is American and while I was there last month I bought a complete weatherstripping kit from the Zed Store. There certainly are more options over there...Hi Robert.
Great to see you taking on this project and making it your own.
If you need any assistance with parts from the states, give me a PM and I will try to help out.
Thank you for your service.
Yes. It makes quite a din when cruising at 70mph and hoping a fifth gear would reduce the noise and RPM.If the car currently has a 4-speed transmission, it's almost certainly an FS4W71B type. Quite likely the stock transmission that the car left the factory with.
Can I ask, what exactly is your main aim with regard to sourcing/fitting a 5-speed transmission? Just fitting a 5-speed overdrive type transmission might not give you what you want and/or expect.
One of the key points in the overall gearing of the car is the differential ratio. Do you know what ratio your differential gear is? It may well be the original, factory-fitted, type and ratio.
Generally speaking, turboed engines *like* to 'push' against a taller (lower numerical) diff ratio. What characteristics are you looking for in the car? Are you looking for lower-revving cruising speeds?
I dont right now, but will be rebuilding the engine anyway so it'll all come off...Do you have a photo of the top of the engine with the cam cover off? I'm interested to see if your P90A head has hydraulic tappets or not.
Thanks very much, but right now I’m thinking of the easier option of a straight 5 speed swap....Thanks - I've never seen a hydraulic one so I sort of hope you do. And sort of hope for you that you don't if you want to change cam.
anyway - here are some links if you want to read up on that 350z gearbox swap.
http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/120421-l28-350z-6-speed-transmission-adapters/
http://forums.hybridz.org/topic/127100-collins-adapter-l-series-to-cd009-350z-transmission/
The exhaust needs to be cut off and thrown away anyway as it’s a carbuncle that offends my eyes...the 350z(cd009?) is a massive and heavy gearbox, however I think the tunnel is larger on a 280z? might mean a bit of exhaust work? Good luck.
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Thanks very much, but right now I’m thinking of the easier option of a straight 5 speed swap....
Here are my dodgy shafts off to be refurbed...