Update by Tim Suddard to the
Datsun 240Z project car
May 16, 2007
The 1982 Datsun 280ZX five-speed transmission (top) is nearly identical in size and weight to the original four-speed (bottom), making a five-speed swap on an early Z an easy one.
With nearly 200 horsepower on tap from its new engine and a five-speed transmission, this car has been transformed.
Our 240Z project car was on hand at the ‘07 Classic Motorsports Mitty Presented by Mazda. This car has been transformed with nearly 200 horsepower on tap from its new engine and a five-speed transmission. As soon as we get a little more sorting done, we will have a full report in Classic Motorsports magazine on how the engine was built and what it takes to convert your Z car to a five-speed.
We originally stayed with the 3.36:1 final drive ratio, but after driving the car with its new transmission we decided to opt for the 3.54:1 final drive that automatic transmission equipped early Z cars used.
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