Just bought me my first 280ZX, been wanting one since High School, and finally got around to getting one.

Question is: I have an automatic transmission, and the RPM's appear to be high for the speed. about 2900 at 55, and about 3400 at 65 mph. This appears to be high to me. Can someone enlighten me on the shift points for this car? It's a 1981 280ZX, 2 seater with the 2.8 liter engine.

 

That's about right..remember, there's no overdrive. As far as shift points, it depends on how hard your pressing the go pedal...lol

 

280ZX's generally came with the 2.8L engine... :P

yea, that sounds about right.

I'd reccoment converting to 5spd, sooooooooo much more fun, especially in a sports car lol

 

This ---^

 

Simpler to buy one with the five speed already in there, heh. And as far as the engine, hell, it could be a turbo swap, or anything other than stock. That's why I put the displacement in there.

Need to put struts n shocks in there asap, then start battling the rust issues. Water pump may need replacement, but once those things are done, I'll have a good running car, just cosmetic from there on out.

 

it's only simpler for a person who isn't willing to do the work...

 

Maybe I JUST DO NOT WANT a 5 speed. Not everyone has your bent that standard transmissions are the end all for a car. Smart aleck remarks aren't needed, nor wanted, thank you very much.

 

Getting back the the main point here...

Yes, your RPMs are normal for a 3-speed auto. If you want more gears to lower the RPMs, like everyone has said... do a 5-speed manual swap.

 

Main reason I asked, is to head off any issues from the transmission not shifting into third gear. Wasn't sure whether those RPM's were right for the speed.

 

Did you say what gear you were in before? . Also go and get the factory manual for your car and it will tell you what you should be at. Theres always that search fuction too...
Might wanna not take peoples post on a fourm to heart to much either, it wont get you very far.

 

Did you say what gear you were in before? . Also go and get the factory manual for your car and it will tell you what you should be at. Theres always that search fuction too...
Might wanna not take peoples post on a fourm to heart to much either, it wont get you very far.

 

 

For future transmission questions you can just use this tool:

http://webspace.webring.com/people/cz/z_design_studio/

 

Fail...

Notice the Transmission selection is limited to MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS... not AUTO.

 

yeah i realized that post-post LOL w/e i tried to help...just goes to show how many people even use 30 year old auto tranny's ;P. here's your '81 numbers you can just plug them in...

1st : 2.458
2nd: 1.458
3rd: 1.000

R: 2.182