Are '79 5 Spds any good?

[Marty Rogan]

I might have a chance to pick up a '79 ZX Parts car for free. It has 136K on it.

I have heard people say the 75-78 and 80-83 5 speeds are good. I have not heard people talk about the 79 model 5 speeds. Are they junk?

If they are ok, it might be worth it to grab the engine and trans out of it. Can a 79 engine be converted to carbs easily?

TIA,

Marty

[sblake01]

I've never heard anything about a 79 tranny being any better or worse than any other in the 75-83 range. Lots of people are running the N47 head with carbs. I've never done one myself but I don't see where there would be a problem.

[240ZX]

As Stephen said, the N47 works just fine with carbs....mine is internally stock and runs like butter. I used the intakes/SU's from an early Z. Regarding the 79 5spd trans...I remember reading some time ago that this was kind of an oddball tranny (hence it was used for only one year). I would think it would be OK as long as you didn't want to put big HP in front of it. Anyone care to add to this?

[deadflo]

Hey Marty!

I have a 79 ZX.

As I understand it, the 79 ZX tranny is the same as 77 and 78. I think it's called the "A" series tranny compared to the later "B" series.

I know the fifth gear ratio is lower , like .86, compared to the "B" series where it is something like .74

But I beleive the other four gear ratios are about the same in both series.

[sblake01]

Hey Marty!

I have a 79 ZX.

As I understand it, the 79 ZX tranny is the same as 77 and 78. I think it's called the "A" series tranny compared to the later "B" series.

I know the fifth gear ratio is lower , like .86, compared to the "B" series where it is something like .74

But I beleive the other four gear ratios are about the same in both series.

That's true except for the 'A-B' thing. The A box was an eariler trans which we never got here in the US in a Z and has nothing to do with the 75-83 transmissions which are all B boxes. The FS5C71A trans was found here in the 67-70 2000 Roadster and non-US Z cars through 74. The 75-79 FS5W71B had an .864 5th gear while the 80-83 FS5W71B had a .752 fifth gear. Second and third gear were also slightly different ratios.

[Chino 240Z]

Hi Marty,

We have the early 280ZX 5spd (77-79) and it has done just fine. I didn't know about the A - B thing, but here is a chart that list the different gearing ratio. I do know that when we are going from 4th to 5th flat out, it does keep us pulling away from others for the little bit extra, but the difference from 4th to 5th in the RPMS just drops about 500-600rpms, or so. Not much difference from 4th to 5th. But all in all it's good for us.

http://www.gracieland.org/cars/techtalk/gearing2.html

[sblake01]

The 'A' box is the early one with Porsche type synchros. The shift lever bolts on from underneath. The 'B' box has the shift lever held in place by bushings, pin and an 'e' clip.

[Marty Rogan]

If the '79 is the same as the 77-78, that would be a good thing. From what I hear, they are more durable than the 80-83. This would be going in my track car, so that would work out a bit better, maybe.

It has 136K on it and I don't know its condition yet. Good news is that it is in a driveable car, that I can check it out.

Marty

[Chino 240Z]

Here is more on the gearing for these transmissions. Also some pics of the differences at the bottom of the page.

http://www.geocities.com/inlinestroker/ratio.html

[sblake01]

Lots of inaccuracies on that chart. The gear ratios are different that what my FSM shows. The ZX trannys may have the higher mounting ears but the Maxima trannys don't. All of which is quite moot since the 79 trans was the only one in question.