Jadon

i have an 82 280zx na. i want to regear it and i want everyones recommendtion on what kind and brand. i'm kinda new to this and i couldnt find anything in the search. so if there is then i'm sorry...any suggestions?

Bleach

What do you mean by re-gear it? I've never heard that term used before related to a Z. That's probably why you found nothing in a search.

Do you want a different differential (rear gears)? Higher gearing (top speed) or lower gearing (acceleration)

Or is something not right with your transmision?
Do you want to swap from manual to auto or automatic to manual?

please explain

thxone

I think he means he wants to re-gear it...like put another gear set in the rear. Most people who want to do such a thing are looking to get it off the line quicker. I think it is safe to say that even the numerically lower 3.54:1 gear which is in alot of N/A 280zx's is still a pretty good gear for getting off the line...I could see it being slow if it is an automatic tranny in that car...if so, it is most likely easier to swap in a 5 speed to make the car faster. 5 speeds are cheap to get for the zx's and easy to put in.

Jadon

ok, i wanted to gear it lower for better off the line times. some guy commented on my car while looking at my rx7 and told me to re gear the rear end. he said that it wont add horsepower but it will make it a lot faster and i figured i would come on here and try to understand what he was talking about.

thxone

Is your ZX and Automatic or 5 speed?

Jadon

5 speed......

thxone

Ok, 90% sure your gear is a 3.54:1 ratio...should be pretty quick if the engine is running correctly and your clutch isn't slipping. You can find an 1980 and up zx with an R200 and yes it will be faster off the line as the gear set should be a 3.90:1 ratio. The numerically higher number = faster off the line but less top end speed.

Edit: Find a 1979 5-speed or a turbo 5-speed and that will help off the line too.

naviathan

He has an 82ZX with a 5 speed that means he already has a 3.90:1. All 280ZX 5 speeds came with the 3:90, the automatic had the R180 3.54 and the turbos had the R200 3.54. Somewhere in mix there was a limited number of 3.7 rear ends. Personally I think the 3.54 makes the best rear. The l28 has a good bit of low end torque when tuned properly and can pull that gearing off the line fairly well. Once it's moving that 3.54 will give you a better pull than the 3.90 or 4.11 (the 4.11 comes out the 720 pickups or the 300ZX TT from 86). Reference

thxone

I think that "Reference" is not entirely accurate or complete as far as the ZX's go...my '79 is a GL and a coupe with 5 speed and an R200 3.70:1 and my '82 Turbo 5-speed is not in that list.

NismoPick

For all your early Z tranny / diff questions:

http://www.geocities.com/z_design_studio/

thxone

My mistake guys....I apologize.

pete8717

How bad do you think putting 4:11 gears will affect your top speed? I have an 81 non turbo 280zx.

NismoPick

Did you see this???


Plug in 4.11 instead of 3.9 for the diff... and WA-LA!

thxone

...And chances are with the limited HP of these cars you won't hit top speed in fifth gear but instead will top out in fourth gear...so like 110-115mph and you are gonna be just about maxed out on the tach, so realistically 90mph? I bet it will jump off the line though from light to light.

SHADY280

having the 3.9 is all youll ever need, if you go 4.11, you will want to shoot yourself if you travel on the highway. the revs will be too high and the thing will eat gas like nothing, and with todays gas prices, every 100 rpms count. i went from 79 stock 3.7 to 82 na stock 3.9, it was a good change and at 80mph i got 23 mpg on the highway. its nice to have all the choices for a racecar tho, but for best street ratio is the 3.9, or 3.7 if you need the 250 rpm drop for hwy.