510
North West Datsun Enthusiasts Forum : Datsun : 510
Topic: Best 510 trans
Author Message
Yellowcar
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Avatar

Joined: 24 July 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 285
bullet Topic: Best 510 trans
    Posted: 24 July 2003 at 7:24pm

Can anyone recommend the best trans for a 510 W/L motor?

I heard the 280ZX turbo trans is the one to get but can't remember what year or why it was supposted to be good.
'72 510 LZ2.5
'06 VW Jetta
'98 mercedes C280 sport
'01 ZX9R
'02 ZX6R

IP IP Logged
Bleach
Guru
Guru
Avatar

Joined: 04 December 2002
Location: United States
Posts: 4806
bullet Posted: 25 July 2003 at 9:14am

The 280zx turbo uses a Borg Warner T5 transmission. It is aluminum and a bit lighter than a Nissan tranny. It also has a wide gear ratio. 1st gear starts out very low and 5th gear is a high overdrive. The output shaft is unique and requires the matching center driveshaft to be used, not a nissan one.

The best gear ratios overall are the non-turbo 280zx 1981-83. 1st gear is the highest, but 1-4 gears are as much of a "close ratio" as you can get. Due to this higher gear ratio, I would recommend a 4.11 rearend or lower for a 4-cyl and 3.9 or 4.11 for a six.

Also, the later 280zx transmission just seems to shift smoother like a more modern transmission.
Ratsun.net
IP IP Logged
Yellowcar
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Avatar

Joined: 24 July 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 285
bullet Posted: 25 July 2003 at 1:38pm

Thanks for the info!

The 280ZX trans sounds good, I have an unknown 5 speed trans from japan now (it has 1st gear in the bottom left) but 1st is way too low then there is a huge jump to 2nd.

Because of the motor I don't think I'll have a problem pulling the higher first gear.

any recommendations on who to get a Xmember from and who can shorten the driveline? (seattle area)
'72 510 LZ2.5
'06 VW Jetta
'98 mercedes C280 sport
'01 ZX9R
'02 ZX6R

IP IP Logged
datsunaholic
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05 December 2002
Posts: 4079
bullet Posted: 25 July 2003 at 2:50pm
You have a "Dogleg" 5-speed. That's actually the one that fits best; it was the same length as the original 4-speed. Also a bit weaker tranny, though vs the truck and Z Nissan 5-speed (the ZX-Turbo tranny is in a class by itself) Was stock in '77-79 200SX's and '78-81 510s.

But... I'm looking for one, so if you get the ZX tranny in there I'd be interested in buying the dogleg. My Wagon could use the extra gear and I don't want to do any mount mods.

'64 320
'68 520
'72 521 V6
'74,75,79 620s
'76,78 4X4
'76 KC
'72 510 Wgn
'78 B210
'78,81 510 Wgn
2X '78 510 Coupes
'83 720 KC

IP IP Logged
Yellowcar
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Avatar

Joined: 24 July 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 285
bullet Posted: 25 July 2003 at 4:14pm

sure, I will eventually get the trans in so I won't need the one I have now.

What area are you in?

Just a question of when I get to it. I am installing new carpet, seats dash, electromotive IGN and some other stuff right now
'72 510 LZ2.5
'06 VW Jetta
'98 mercedes C280 sport
'01 ZX9R
'02 ZX6R

IP IP Logged
Bleach
Guru
Guru
Avatar

Joined: 04 December 2002
Location: United States
Posts: 4806
bullet Posted: 25 July 2003 at 4:19pm

I may need some driveline work done this year as well. I'm in the south seattle area, but don't know of a shop right now that I should go to.

The L20b has enough low rpm torque to make up for a small increase in a gear ratio. I wouldn't do that for an L18 though. In my L20b truck, I would take off in 2nd gear all the time with ease. My L18 doesn't like that at all, even though both engines had a Weber and the same gear ratios.
Ratsun.net
IP IP Logged
nwdeorg
Admin Group
Admin Group
Avatar

Joined: 25 January 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 287
bullet Posted: 25 July 2003 at 5:07pm

Drivelines Northwest on 4th Ave down by the stadiums will do custom prop shafts and drive shafts, along with u-joints and flanges. I think they will do custom CV shafts as well.

Randy
IP IP Logged
datsunaholic
Moderator Group
Moderator Group
Avatar

Joined: 05 December 2002
Posts: 4079
bullet Posted: 25 July 2003 at 5:09pm
I live near Tacoma.
'64 320
'68 520
'72 521 V6
'74,75,79 620s
'76,78 4X4
'76 KC
'72 510 Wgn
'78 B210
'78,81 510 Wgn
2X '78 510 Coupes
'83 720 KC

IP IP Logged
Yellowcar
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Avatar

Joined: 24 July 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 285
bullet Posted: 25 July 2003 at 5:34pm

Well now I have to find a trans

called around but didn't find one so if anyoine is selling one let me know.

The motor iin my car is a 2.5 so torque is really not a problem and the gearing shoud be a good fit (I hope)

 
'72 510 LZ2.5
'06 VW Jetta
'98 mercedes C280 sport
'01 ZX9R
'02 ZX6R

IP IP Logged
Guests
Guest
Guest

bullet Posted: 26 July 2003 at 5:02pm
Well where do you live? If you're on the east coast, you can have mine. I won't ship and you'll have to take it out yourself if you want it. (my car is in body shop restoration limbo and I'm doing the KA swap)
IP IP Logged
Yellowcar
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Avatar

Joined: 24 July 2003
Location: United States
Posts: 285
bullet Posted: 28 July 2003 at 11:51am
I live in the seattle area, thanks for the offer though.
'72 510 LZ2.5
'06 VW Jetta
'98 mercedes C280 sport
'01 ZX9R
'02 ZX6R

IP IP Logged
earwig
Enthusiast
Enthusiast
Avatar

Joined: 09 December 2002
Location: United States
Posts: 857
bullet Posted: 28 July 2003 at 1:33pm
try car-part.com i just got a T5 for my friends '82 4-banger Mustang. it tells ya what is in junk yards and sometimes the prices too.
red'76,620regularcab,longbed L20B,Supertrap,3"shackle4"body 31X10.5X15 chrome pathfinder rims,2tube front,1tube rear bumper,720 5speed&transfercase,Blaster coil,Pertronics ingitor dizzy,WeberDGV,K&N
IP IP Logged