My engine's coming back from the shop by this weekend, so I'm already making plans to do the transmission swap to an '82 5 speed tranny.

So, here are a few questions I have:

1. Do I have to get a new starter or the starter from my '81 auto tranny will do just fine? Can I use the same speedo cable or do I need to get the one from the manual tranny?
2. I noticed that my '81 auto ZX is missing some of the necessary gear/hooks for the clutch pedal assembly. I also noticed that there is a metal piece (under the dashboard) that is screwed-in by the firewall that seems to have these hooks/gear; is this something that I have to remove from and install on the ZX receiving the manual transmission?
3. Will I need to make modifications, such as widen the stick hole, on the car receiving the manual transmission?
4. What do you guys recommend to buy for new parts? I think this transmission had issues with the clutch because the last time I drove this ZX I had to pump the clutch and I noticed that the clutch master cylinder was empty.

I'm adding some pictures to show you what the most of the parts look like.

 

#1... Same starter, same speedo cable.

#2... You need the 5 speed pedal assembly (clutch, brake, gas pedals) along w/ the springs & clutch master cylinder. Also need the clutch line & slave cylinder. Also need a 5 speed driveline & diff flange

#3... No major body mods. I believe Nissan designed most of the inner panels to have all the holes for both auto & manual.

#4... New clutch assembly.

#5... There are several "how to" threads here on ZDriver that talk specifically on auto to 5 speed swaps.

 

Good luck!

 

Thanks man!

Yeah, I did a search on the subject, but I guess I need to refine my search criteria; I got over 9 pages long of related material, so after reading 4 pages I gave up.

 

Noob. You need Everything Nismo said. Plus more. you will also need flywheel. and if you can get it. ECU. there will be No Body Mods at all. this is a simple swap. the trans mounts are the same. No holes will be drilled either. The Master will bolt right in. There is a lil gold plate you just remove. and bolt the master in. the holes for the clutch hard line are also there. For the clutch Hard-Rubber line. there is NO Bracket for it to mount. for now. i just zip tied mine up. but if you got a welder. weld one on. You can ****** a brake Hard to Rubber line mount. and it's the same thing. don't forget the lil fork thing that you push in to mount it down. there will be about 6-8 wires that go to the auto trans. two of those will need to be connected together. so the starter relay will work. When you get to that part. i'll get you some pics and wire color's. My reverse lights still don't work. but that's cause i got lazy and did not hook those wires up. Get the rubber boots(two, a inter and a outer) center piece from the donor as well and on the gas peddle. the kick down switch can now be disconnected. cause it won't serve a purpose

 

you guys all forgot the line to the slave cylinder!

 

i did say "Clutch Hard to Rubber Line" and you can use a break line. same length. same end connectors.

 

I have the flywheel from my spare '82 ZX and it's in very good shape. I don't know if I posted those pictures.

I need a new ECU?

As for the clutch pedal assembly; I'll take some pictures on how my auto looks like. I couldn't find the hooks/holes to attach the pedal, but maybe I'm missing something.

And I just ordered a new set of (from Discount Auto):
1. Clutch Kit (pressure plate, clutch disc, etc)
2. Clutch master cylinder
3. Clutch hose
4. Clutch slave cylinder

So, from what I gather; I can use the speedo cable that's on my auto.

 

All three pedals attach to a large bracket on the firewall. Just remove the entire assembly as one unit. All three pedals together. this is very important

 

all three? the gas does Not go on the same assembly. The gas peddle is all on it's own. only the brake and clutch use the same bracket.

 

wait a sec... I think you're right.

ok, the two pedals are on that bracket! haha...

ok, I need to go get some coffee...

 

noob. it's easy to pull dash. then remove the long silver bar that runs across the car. Don't leave it out long though. it's a body support. 1hr or 2 at most for comfort. them just replace the *** as a whole. bracket and all. and yes speedo will work fine from auto to 5 speed. as long as the rear ends are the same. if they are not. try to replace the Cog. if you can't, then you will only be of by a mile or two.

 

and if you need a good strong T5 tranny for your 5 speed swap... I GOT ONE FOR YAH!!!!! and the price has lowered....

 

OH, that's an excellent suggestion. I had already removed the clutch pedal assembly and then realized that the I was missing parts on my auto, but I never realized that clutch and brake pedals are on the same assembly.

Thanks FubarI33t.

 

I got the tranny already (not a turbo tranny), and I'm not driving to your neck of the woods for one!

 

You don't need a 5 speed ECU. The automatic ECU works just fine. There's a couple guys on hybridz running a 5 speed swap with the auto ECU with no problems...

 

it will run fine. but it will drop the reves slower with the Auto ecu. the 5 speed allows the reves to drop much faster.

 

I don't see how that would be possible... please explain.

 

None of the 280zx body / frame supports are "bolted" in... they are all welded. That dash cross member isn't a structural piece.

 

I'm confused now.
So, can this be removed or not?

From what you guys are telling me, I have to remove the assembly that holds the brake and clutch pedals. Is this assembly then not removable because it's welded?

I'm going to take a closer look at this thing when I get home...I'm at work now, lol

 

Yes... you can remove the dash cross brace. It's not a structural piece.

It's bolted on... remove bolts... remove assembly.

 

When you let off the gas above 3000 rpm the ECU dumps a bunch of fuel into the cylinders and at the same time releases a mini R2 unit to go out onto the intake manifold and pull slightly on the throttle linkage to keep your rpms up a little...

 

Ok, I'm going to continue this thread and ask a few more questions.

So, I got a the following parts new:
1. Clutch kit
2. Clutch cable
3. Master and slave cylinders are new
4. Clutch fork and fork boot
5. Sleeve w/bearing
6. Pilot bushing

All these parts will be replacing the old worn out parts in this '82 tranny.

Questions:

1. Should I replace the rear oil seal?
2. If you look at picture #2, should I replace that breather cap? It look as if leaking transmission fluid from there.

Once again, thanks for all your help guys.

Here are the pictures of the transmission.

 

Anyone with suggestions for my previous questions?

 

if it leaks replace it... also new fluids should be added to that list for that tranny. also in your list i didnt see a flywheel... or is it part of the clutch kit? might wanna make sure.