Is this FS5W71C tranny a good match for a 240z?

reefedjib said:

I have been scouring the net and this site for info on various 5 speed transmissions as potential candidates for a 240Z. It seems there are numerous types and it does make a difference.

Please point out mistakes in my assertions, if you know better

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  [li]The 77-79 280Z tranny was a FS5W71A or FS5W71B. This is known as a "wide ratio" or early 5 speed. Close between 1st and 2nd and taller between 2nd and third. This tranny will mate to an L24 directly![/li]
  [li]The 81-83 280ZX tranny is a FS5W71C, otherwise known as a "close-ratio", or later 5-speed. Tall between 1st and close between 2nd and 3rd. This tranny is a real 5-speed, unlike the early one.[/li]
  [li]The 84-89 300ZX used the FS5W71C as one of its three trannies, the other of significance being the T-5.[/li]
  [li]The FS5W71C is complicated to a certain extent to mate up to an L24. You need the bellhousing of a FS5W71A or FS5W71B to do it.[/li]
  [li]The later FS5W71C is more desirable and hard to find.[/li]

I have the chance to get a FS5W71C for $250, but I will have a mechanic do the work and the FS5W71B will probably be cheaper. I am not racing my Z. It is actually a daily driver and much of that is highway at 80. I also have a line on a R-200 3.9 LSD differential and I would like to combine the L24, 5 speed tranny and 3.9 diff.

Should I grab the FS5W71C?

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• 
  [li]The 77-79 280Z tranny has a FS5W71B. This is known as a "wide ratio" or early 5 speed, based on the gearing. Close between 1st and 2nd and taller between 2nd and third. This tranny will mate to an L24 directly[/li]
  [li]The 80, 81-83 280ZX non-turbo tranny has a FS5W71B. This is known as a "close ratio", or later 5-speed, based on different gearing. Tall between 1st and closer between 2nd and 3rd. This tranny will mate to an L24 directly[/li]
  [li]The 82-83 280ZX turbo tranny has a T-5. This is supposed to be complete **** and avoid like the plague.[/li]
  [li]The 84-89 300ZX non-turbo has a FS5W71C. Conversion is needed to mate to a L24. You need the bellhousing of a FS5W71A or FS5W71B to do it.[/li]
  [li]The 84-86 300ZX turbo has a T-5. Conversion is needed to mate to a L24. This is supposed to be a **** tranny.[/li]
  [li]The 87-89 300ZX turbo has a FS5R30A. Conversion is needed to mate to a L24. This is supposed to be the BOMB.[/li]
  [li]Not sure what a WC T5 conversion is[/li]
  [li]Not sure what a KA 5 spd conversion is[/li]

• 
  [li]77-79 280Z/ZX FS5W71B[/li]
  [li]80 280ZX non-Turbo FS5W71B[/li]
  [li]81-83 280ZX non-Turbo FS5W71B[/li]
  [li]87-89 300ZX Turbo FS5R30A.[/li]

skittle said:

81 turbo's were all automatics, WC T5 was not available for the Nissan/Datsun line. I have a WC t5 for my lt1 swap but thats a chevy thing. BW made T5's for datsun/nissan, chevy, and ford. Out of all of those nothing really swaps over except you can use a mustang short throw shifter in the Datusn and the chevy t-5's with minor modification.

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1977 through 1983 Factory Four/Five Speed Transmission Ratios Note: Ratios in 4spd.'s are the same as 5spd.'s For 1st-4th gears.
   77-79  1980   81-83     Borg Warner T-5 {Turbo Only]

1  3.321   3.062   3.062     3.500

2  2.077   1.858   1.858     2.144

3  1.308   1.308   1.308     1.375

4  1.000   1.000   1.000     1.000

5  0.864   0.773   0.745     0.780

I remember in 1982 a mechanic at Bob Bell Datsun in Salem, Va told me that Datsun was worried a stock 5-speed wouldn't hold up which is why the 1981 turbo only came with an automatic.

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