RB25DE, RB26 NA or L28 rebuild 280z restomod

[jonbills]

You want an FS5w71C. in the UK they are from the S13 200sx or the S14 200sx.
Here's my ebay search string for them: "(s13,s14,s14a,200sx,ca18,sr20) gearbox -(auto,automatic) -mazda"

this is an s13 one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/nissan-200sx-s13-ca18det-gearbox-manual/124120072732?hash=item1ce622021c:g:Gb0AAOSw1Aleb6vj&LH_ItemCondition=4
this is an s14 one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S14a-UK-gearbox-sr20det-manual-5-speed-73k/254581441995?hash=item3b463c85cb:g:40AAAOSw4tBenwyb&LH_ItemCondition=4

they look basically the same. you have to replace the bellhousing with an L engine bellhousing. you have to modify the bell housing, the gbox mount and the propshaft. There are many threads here and elsewhere detailing the mods needed.

 

[Classic Z]

You want an FS5w71C. in the UK they are from the S13 200sx or the S14 200sx.
Here's my ebay search string for them: "(s13,s14,s14a,200sx,ca18,sr20) gearbox -(auto,automatic) -mazda"

this is an s13 one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/nissan-200sx-s13-ca18det-gearbox-manual/124120072732?hash=item1ce622021c:g:Gb0AAOSw1Aleb6vj&LH_ItemCondition=4
this is an s14 one: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/S14a-UK-gearbox-sr20det-manual-5-speed-73k/254581441995?hash=item3b463c85cb:g:40AAAOSw4tBenwyb&LH_ItemCondition=4

they look basically the same. you have to replace the bellhousing with an L engine bellhousing. you have to modify the bell housing, the gbox mount and the propshaft. There are many threads here and elsewhere detailing the mods needed.

Thanks John
Have read up on the modifications that are needed. It shouldn't be a problem to do.
Is the s14 transmission preferred over the s13 one or are they similar?

 

[Classic Z]

Thanks John
Have read up on the modifications that are needed. It shouldn't be a problem to do.
Is the s14 transmission preferred over the s13 one or are they similar?

Just got in touch with the guy on ebay for the first link you sent. The s13 one but he said its a 71b transmission.
Will try the other

 

[jonbills]

The S14 is preferred - it's a bit stronger, but not a huge amount in it for your purposes.
The S13 guy is wrong. that's definitely an FS5W71c. The shifter arrangement is quite distinctive, compared to the B boxes which you can see an example of here:
https://www.classiczcars.com/classifieds/item/274-datsun-fs5w71b-close-ratio-5-speed-transmission/

 

[jonbills]

Fwiw, I think the S12 200sx had a 71b.

 

[Turn & Burn]

Thanks John
Have read up on the modifications that are needed. It shouldn't be a problem to do.
Is the s14 transmission preferred over the s13 one or are they similar?

The machining for the larger bearing is quite tricky, u need a very big lathe n face plate or someone who’s good on a mill with some extended tooling. Certainly a bit of a challenge.

 

[Classic Z]

Fwiw, I think the S12 200sx had a 71b.

Yes must be as the guy sent me a photo of the code and it says 71b

 

[Woody928]

Hi Woody

Yes it seems like we are after the same engine : ) Where are you based?
Are you planning on changing your transmission also to a 200sx one.
I cant wait to start building it. I recently rebuild a 1969 351 Windsor V8 from the bottom up. Changed nearly everything and started it for the first time this Wednesday. Sounds amazing. Really enjoy building engines.
Thanks for the thread will look at it this weekend.

Near Surbiton in leafy Surrey.

Already been there and done that job, it makes for a fantastic upgrade in my opinion. I'm actually trying to get another one rebuilt right now as mine has some wear (I currently have three S14 boxes, it may be a tad excessive haha)

I'm looking forward to starting to make progress, I have so much to learn. Should be educational to say the least, I'm sure that first start up makes it all worth it though!

 

[Classic Z]

Near Surbiton in leafy Surrey.

Already been there and done that job, it makes for a fantastic upgrade in my opinion. I'm actually trying to get another one rebuilt right now as mine has some wear (I currently have three S14 boxes, it may be a tad excessive haha)

I'm looking forward to starting to make progress, I have so much to learn. Should be educational to say the least, I'm sure that first start up makes it all worth it though!

I am in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Wow three s14 gearboxes. I don't suppose you are interested in selling one of them : )

John was kind enough to search online for me and there is one s14 box for sale but it seems expensive to me. Not sure what they go for though. The guy is starting the bid at £500 but no one has bid and there is only a day or so left.

From emailing him it seems he is looking for £600 to £800 for the box. There is another one for sale which is cheaper but its a RP71c. I am not sure if that one will fit as its from a skyline I beleive.

I am interested in following your engine build to see how it goes. Will be a lot of fun and yes ones it starts and all your hard work pays of its great.

 

[richiep]

£6-800 for an S13/14/a box is nuts. I paid £270 for an S13 and £295 for an S14 about 18 months ago. The S14a box in my Fairlady Z was a blinding deal about 5 years ago at £150!

 

[richiep]

Incidentally, have you looked at the classifieds section on SXOC? That would be a good place to track down a box for sensible money.

 

[Classic Z]

£6-800 for an S13/14/a box is nuts. I paid £270 for an S13 and £295 for an S14 about 18 months ago. The S14a box in my Fairlady Z was a blinding deal about 5 years ago at £150!

Yes that's what I thought. I was expecting to pay about £300 ish. I think he is just pushing his luck.

 

[Classic Z]

Incidentally, have you looked at the classifieds section on SXOC? That would be a good place to track down a box for sensible money.

Great. Will look at this as well.

 

[Classic Z]

The machining for the larger bearing is quite tricky, u need a very big lathe n face plate or someone who’s good on a mill with some extended tooling. Certainly a bit of a challenge.

Thanks for the information. There is a very large machine shop near me that I used for my mustang engine. I believe they have all the machinery there but will check.

 

[Woody928]

I am in Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire. Wow three s14 gearboxes. I don't suppose you are interested in selling one of them : )

John was kind enough to search online for me and there is one s14 box for sale but it seems expensive to me. Not sure what they go for though. The guy is starting the bid at £500 but no one has bid and there is only a day or so left.

From emailing him it seems he is looking for £600 to £800 for the box. There is another one for sale which is cheaper but its a RP71c. I am not sure if that one will fit as its from a skyline I beleive.

I am interested in following your engine build to see how it goes. Will be a lot of fun and yes ones it starts and all your hard work pays of its great.

Not too far away then, I had a few troubles trying to find one in the first place. At some point I'll be selling one, there's currently one in the car and two with a shop as I'm having one rebuilt. It's been slow progress though and I'm not sure when it'll all be done with everything that going on. That said, as soon as one's been rebuilt then the spare (spare) will be sold.

It depends where you look but eBay, drift works and sxoc are all good places to be keeping an eye. I'll be honest though, they're scarce these days and all of them are an unknown. Lots end up ruined in drift cars. I'd be wanting to rebuild before dropping one in.

He's asking far too much in my opinion, they used to be much cheaper but I wouldn't be surprised to see them going from anywhere between £300-400 now in my experience at the more reasonable end of the market.

 

[richiep]

The ones to look out for are those that have expressly not been drifted, possibly having come from an unmodified car or breaker, or one removed before extreme mods are done. The S14a box I have was removed by its previous owner to replace with an OS Giken box before the big horsepower was put through it, and it’s condition was extremely good. Both my other boxes were out unmodified parts cars. They can found for decent prices and not necessarily need a rebuild.