were the trannies different betwween the 79 280zx tranny and the turbo ones? the reason i'm asking is because i'm looking to do the turbo engine swap and was wondering if i needed to get a custom driveshaft or a different rear end.

 

Are you swapping trans too or are you keeping your? Is yours auto or man.? Are you swapping to auto or man? If you're keeping your current trans, then you won't need to change your driveshaft. If you're swapping to the T5 then you'll need the driveshaft off that car.You're rear end is fine. If you're looking to put up big numbers you might want to look into the R200 if you don't already have it, but it's not neccessary for the swap.

 

so i can keep my NA tranny and it will mate right up to the turbo motor?

 

Yes it will!
The NA tranny has a lower torque tollerance. If you increase your boost too much, the tranny may blow.

I think they are ratted at only 225 foot pounds, but I have heard of people using the NA tranny on engines putting out 300 horsepower. Its up to you...

 

thanks for all the help, i really appreciate it.

 

If you want to know what all is involved with the T5 swap, just ask. I have a writeup on it with pictures on another forum. I did this swap about 3 months ago.
I'm currently running a non-turbo engine but I plan to swap in a turbo soon. The T5 is a great solid shifting transmission.

 

Hey bleach, what's the torque rating on the T5 they put in the Z's?
How smooth does that thing shift. I got a 4-speed out of a 78 in my 81 and that thing shifts like you're driving an old pick up truck.

 

You may wanna know this.... the 280ZXT and 2+2 models have the big flywheel at 240mm. The N/A 2 seaters had a 215mm flywheel. wether 2+2 = 4 who knows for certain...(pun intended ha!)

 

OH ya, that too. My non-turbo 2+2 had the 240mm flywheel anyway, so I just put in basically the same clutch again. I believe the clutch fingers are a little stronger too (more stiff pedal) but its not too bad.

From what I remember, the NA 2-seater had 225mm, not 215. The older Datsun cars (4-cyl) had the same type of clutch that bolts to the L20b and had 200mm with a very light clutch pressure plate.
My truck with L18 is running a 200mm clutch and the clutch pedal is amost not there. its nice for lots of shifing in traffic.

The T5 shifts more solid. I read before that people said you can't shift as fast or that its clunky. I think it shifts fine. I took me a few days of driving to get used to the new shift pattern and the way it shifts but I can slap that thing from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th just as fast as ever. It just feels like a 'newer' car transmission to me. No sideways wobble while in gear.

 

Hey Bleach; What 5-speed transmissions do you I have in my '81 and '82? Just curious, since you are the Z encyclopedia!

 

Do you I have? huh?

The 1981-83 non-turbo 280ZX had a certain type of 5-speed for those years only. The rear gear was lower so the transmission had a slightly taller 1st,2nd, and taller 5th gear. They are considered to be the 'close ratio' transmissions and ususlly the most sought after.

The 1980 and older had not much of a 5th gear. The older Z 5-speed was the same 5-speed used in the truck's and some 4-cyl cars in the 70's.

 

And I got one for 20.00 thanks again bleech..

 

You're welcome for that piece of junk transmission that needed a full rebuild. I hope it works for you.

The Z Sport Magazine with the 450horse 280ZX turbo (brown) on the cover talks about the T5 torque rating. i think it was about 325 foot pounds. this guy was running up to 400 foot pounds through it with no problems but then he decided to upgrade his transmission when he went for 450hp.

 

Ywah Im trying to find someone to cryofreeze the syncros and gears before I put them in.. Then it will be invincible. And I am still hoping to break 160mph at least one time..

 

Just out of curiosity, do the JATCO 3AT trannies hold up to immense power output? I heard somewhere that most autos can put down just about any number without failing. Truth, or fallacy?

 

ya, because they just start slipping if too much torque is applied!

 

Any number. Fallacy. There are autos that can be built to handle ridiculous numbers though. The reason they're so used in drag racing is because they eliminate human error as far as clutching and mis-shifts go. They also, if properly vavled, can shift faster and harder than a person could ever dream of doing with a manual.

Both kinds of trannies can be built to withstand huge numbers. You're just less likely to grenade an auto due to you screwing up a shift. The clutch is the weakest link of most manual trans. You can treat the gears to take a lot of punishment.

 

i have a question... what tranny did they put in the 1981 turbos? they only came with a 3 speed auto.. manuals came 1982-83

 

DANG i need one for 20 buck too let me know !!!!
or if anyone has a 5spd for sale let me know too