my '83 (update)
 

Well, since it's passed the emissions inspection, I've been driving it daily. Everything is cool, especially after she warms up a little.

With the glass pack on, it's a little loud in third around 45mph, but that's ok.........the stupid Civics won't come near me when it's growling (thankfully.....I'm still stock under the hood.....).

I've got a lot of compliments on it, and will post some pics when I can get the digital cam from my wife.

The cool thing that I've noticed is how long third gear is. I can go from around 20-25mph up to 75 before redline. Granted, I haven't driven it for about 5 years, but I don't remember 3rd being that long. Yes the torque curve goes down a bit, but it's really nice to hit 4th at 70mph. Then.....it's ON.

Are all ZX's that long in 3rd, or do I have a freak?

My '82 is geared the same. 75 is about the shift point in 3rd for the most power. 3rd isn't all that tall of a gear though and the rear gear is a 3.9
I suspect that the eariler 280ZX's with the 3.5 will have an even taller 3rd gear. In the late ZX, it is 1st and 2nd that are much taller than earlier transmissions.

Well.........there's a little story behind my z. I'll make it the extremely short version.

The rear end is from an '80 turbo and the tranny is from a '79 N/A.

Maybe that's why 3rd is fairly long.

Turbo uses 3.5:1 and the '79 n/a came with a 3.3 or 3.5:1 rear so you're in the same boat as if you didnt' really swap anything. You basically upped your rear gear and lowered your transmission gears. :(

If you use an '82 n/a transmission with a turbo rearend, then you'd be geared high! :cool: