280ZX (S130) Forums Dedicated to 79-83 ZCars

Speedometer calibration

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Old Oct 30, 2008 | 11:33 PM
  #1  
pete8717's Avatar
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Speedometer calibration

Hey guys. Does anyone know anything about calibrating the speedometer on the 81 non turbo ZX's? Mine is about 5-6 mph's fast and I have no idea how to fix it. Some help would be appreciated. Thanks guys. L8rZ

Pete
Old Oct 31, 2008 | 07:46 AM
  #2  
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You match the speedo cog w/ the diff ratio. Do you know which color speedo cog you have? Do you know what diff ratio you have?
Old Nov 1, 2008 | 08:10 AM
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I don't know the color of the cog but i'm pretty sure i have the 3:90 gear ratio.
Old Nov 1, 2008 | 10:30 AM
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Okay, is it the orig tranny, rear end, and speedo? Are you using the stock tire size?
Old Nov 1, 2008 | 10:42 AM
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Original tranny, rear end and speedo. I think i'm using smaller tires though. P195/60R14
Old Nov 1, 2008 | 02:27 PM
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Smaller tires = faster speedo reading.
Old Nov 1, 2008 | 03:43 PM
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lww
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http://www.miata.net/garage/tirecalc.html
Old Nov 2, 2008 | 05:33 PM
  #8  
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I knew my speedo was about 5 off but does anyone know how to actually change the speedo calibration so it reads accurate?
Old Nov 3, 2008 | 06:54 AM
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Well... you have to calculate how many revolutions off it is from stock. Using that website L-Dub posted is probably the easiest way. Then you could either take the speedo to a shop willing to re-calibrate it for you (they will likely charge a nice bit of $$$cash$$$), or get a speedo tranny cog that will bring it closer to the real reading...
Old Nov 3, 2008 | 08:38 AM
  #10  
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How could I tell which cog to get?
Old Nov 3, 2008 | 08:48 AM
  #11  
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Well, the smaller tires are acting as a higher ratio diff (If I'm thinking this out correctly). So... you could try to find a 4.11:1 cog (pretty rare actually). I think the easiest solution would be to get the right size tires.

Old Nov 3, 2008 | 08:54 AM
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I did not know that. Ok thanks. In december i'm puttin on my new rims and according to that lil conversion page my speedo will still be a little off. It will only be about .1 off so I ain't worried about it. I'm going with P205/ 65R15 and that is the closest I will get

Last edited by pete8717; Nov 3, 2008 at 08:58 AM.
Old Nov 3, 2008 | 05:39 PM
  #13  
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http://atlanticz.ca/zclub/techtips/d...tial/index.htm

4.11:1

* 720 4X4 6/83 to 12/85 - R180
* 200SX Turbo 1985 to 1986 - R200
* 200SX Turbo 1985-1998 -R200 (Canada)
* 200SX Non-Turbo's 1984 to 1988 - R180
* Ring gear is stamped with 37:9

also found this pretty cool website
http://www.nicoclub.com/Greg/ratios.html
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