I was wrong in the OP. I just don't know how much.

I found out the tranny I am looking at is from an 86 300zx. I found a little info out there that this is the FS5W71C where you need to swap the housing with a FS5W71B tranny, from a 78-79 280z. Actually, here are semi-complicated instructions to do that: http://zclub.org.nz/viewtopic.php?t=143&test=test. In other words, I won't be doing it personally.

I think I also read that the 81-83 280zx FS5W71C is the one to get because it bolts onto the L24 directly. Unfortunately it is hard to find.

I am under the impression that the FS5W71C is the later, close-ratio tranny that is desirable to have in the 240z.

So, what is y'alls recommendation? I do know of a Z mechanic shop. About how much would it cost me to have him convert the 86 300zx FS5W71C to my 240z? I mean if the 81-83 tranny is really hard to find, then I should go for it with the 300zx tranny.

Please advise.

Edit - ps. It will be $300, including shipping. Also, I think I should get it rebuilt too. There will be no driveshaft.

Here are pics:
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m161/gl33m4x/WP_000359.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m161/gl33m4x/WP_000360.jpg
http://i104.photobucket.com/albums/m161/gl33m4x/WP_000358.jpg

 

Well, I found out that a 300zx non-turbo tranny is not the right choice for me. Evidently, it's hard to split apart? So I am looking for a 79-80 280z (FS5W71A/B) or an 81-83 280zx (FS5W71C), both of which bolt straight on, or a 84-89 300zx turbo T-5, which does not bolt straight on.

Anyone have a line on one of those?

 

A S30 or S130 transmission should not too difficult to locate. They all (70-83) bolt right up to your L24. Since you're not really performance oriented, the earlier wider ratio gearboxes would be okay too. The later V6 5 speed is nice but your small transmission tunnel will not be an easy fit. I presently run a 240SX KA conversion in my 240Z. Before that I had a early type-A 5 speed then a 280ZX 5 speed. I have built a WC T5 conversion for my SC'd L28 project. The cost to convert AND rebuild will add up quickly. There is plenty of info here and at www.hybridz.org to read before you jump into a swap. Where are you located? Others here might be able to help you if they know you're in their area. I have a couple of 5 speeds I need to build for selling and the KA 5 spd conversion will probably be for sell after I return from the late July ZCON in Savannah, Ga and start the rebuild of my 240Z.

 

A S30 or S130 transmission should not too difficult to locate. They all (70-83) bolt right up to your L24. Since you're not really performance oriented, the earlier wider ratio gearboxes would be okay too. The later V6 5 speed is nice but your small transmission tunnel will not be an easy fit. I presently run a 240SX KA conversion in my 240Z. Before that I had a early type-A 5 speed then a 280ZX 5 speed. I have built a WC T5 conversion for my SC'd L28 project. The cost to convert AND rebuild will add up quickly. There is plenty of info here and at www.hybridz.org to read before you jump into a swap. Where are you located? Others here might be able to help you if they know you're in their area. I have a couple of 5 speeds I need to build for selling and the KA 5 spd conversion will probably be for sell after I return from the late July ZCON in Savannah, Ga and start the rebuild of my 240Z.

I am in Reston, VA. I used to be a mechanic, although for the most part that was in the Army and I wasn't 3rd shop, so no opportunities to tear down an engine or transmission. I did learn how on my Audi 200, rebuilt the tranny and the engine. That was years ago. No, apt living, mens no space and work is a medium busy task, 60 hrs a week. I would just as soon take it to a shop I know of and either have them rebuild a S130 5 speed, or buy an OEM FS5W72C, and get them to install it. I am interested in gaining the capability in my car.

What are type-A 5 speed and KA conversion 5 speed?

Cheers!

 

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

• 
  [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?

I believe that Type A and Type B refer to the letter at the end of FS5W71... The FS5W71B housing was used up to 1983 from about 1972 or 1973 I believe for both the 4 and 5 speeds. The gear ratios changed through the years though so you need to go by year to get the ratios that you want (assuming that the original trans is in the car you're taking from). The FS5W71C was used from 1984 up to some later date but is not a straight bolt on swap, apparently the bolt pattern is the same but the transmission will be tilted to the passenger side. It was used on the V6 engine.

The 77-79 5 speeds have a big jump from 2nd to 3rd. It is noticeable to many (myself included). The 80 - 83 5 speeds have a more consistent spread between 1 - 4 but the ratios overall are "taller" so Nissan lowered the differential ratio from 3.54 to 3.9 to accommodate. The main difference between the 80 - 83 transmissions is the 5th gear ratio. 1980 is the closest to 4th, 81-83 are pretty "tall." 1977 - 1983 will all bolt right up to an L24.

I got my information from the FSMs because what I was reading on the internet wasn't consistent. There are several good tables of the ratios by year out there, but there are also a few that aren't completely correct, although I assume it's also possible that the FSMs could have errors.

The FSMs can all be downloaded if you get a line on a transmission and want to double check.

 

Excellent info, thanks PDX280! Update my little chart for 5 speeds that will fit a L24 - L28.

• 
  [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]

EDIT - Oh, yeah. I am getting some info from: http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/GearRatios.html.

I am now looking for one of:

• 
  [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]

I would prefer the 300ZX Turbo FS5R30A. If anyone has a line on one of these, please PM me and let me know.

Cheers.

 

Actually the 77-79 is FS5W71B also.

The type A is a 4 speed, I believe.

 

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.

 

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.

Seems you are right about 81 turbo's being auto. I listed 81-83 turbo having a T5 based on info from this page: http://zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/GearRatios.html and the fact that turbos were not in 77-80...

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

however, according to this page: http://datsunzgarage.com/borg/

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.

 

I decided to not pursue the FS5R30A, from an 87-89 300ZX Turbo. I don't want to pay for a conversion. Also, I have found several 81-83 280ZX non-Turbo FS5W71Bs, so I am going with one of those, seeing as how they bolt on and that they are the "close ratio". Thanks for the help!

 

IIRC the A/B were from the Z car whereas the C was for the trucks and the bell housing is rotated differently than the A/B or something along those lines....

The KA swap is fairly staight forward. It's basically the 5 speed from and 240SX S13 which they made up to '96 which means more low mileage tranny's are available and they are more robust. (Is guess that's relative since Tod K ran 650HP through a ZX 5 speed without any problems....) You just need to use a ZX bell housing/bearing or machine the ZX bell housing for the SX larger bearing....

 

I realize this is an old post, but the above information is a bit off... and someone else may be able to use it...

The S13 240SX was manufactured from '89-'93
The S14 240SX was manufactured from '95-'98

The '94 model was only S13 Convertables with Automatic Transmission only

However, the transmissions across the entire run are interchangable