I wanted to know what I would have to do to convert a 1978 280z with a 3speed auto. to a 5speed manual, would I have to change anything else," besides the tranny of course."

You'll need to fabricate a cluch pedal mount, put in a clutch master cylinder and mount, not sure if you'll need a new speedo cable but probably. Might be easier finding a firewall from a wrecked manual body.

There a posts on this site regarding this so do a seach and see.

Good luck

There's no need to "fabricate" a clutch pedal mount. You need to look up in your pedal cluster and see if the bracket has the mount for the clutch pedal. if so, then hit the boneyards and grab the pedal assembly. I can't remember if the auto's were differant, or if the clutch pedal was simply eliminated from the auto pedal cluster.

If they are differant, you need to get the whole pedal cluster from a manual. The whole through the firewall already exists for the clutch master cylindar and such. just knock out the rubber plug.

so, you will need the following.

Manual Trans

flywheel

Clutch master cylindar

clutch slave cylindar

all hoses and lines

clutch kit (throwout bearing, pilot bushing, clutch disc, pressure plate)

Have the flywheel resurfaced if need be

pedal and or pedal cluster

interior shift boot

dust shield from the manual

you may need the center console from a manual also

Case of beer

Extra set of hands

probably a full weekend

you may also need the starter out of the manual as well.

On the '71 240Z that I switched from auto to manual, the pedal brackets were all there; just needed the pedal. The hole in the firewall for the clutch master cylinder was there - with a metal plate bolted over it. Just needed to remove and put in the cylinder. Pretty straight forward on that car.

It looks like all the stuff is there for the pedal mount theres a bar going all the way across, heres some pics so you be the judge, there is a hole for the pedal on the firewall. I dont have to change the differential or the driveline or the tranny controlled vacuum advance(top gear switch)

Yea, the change is relatively easy. I have recently changed over my 71 240 from auto to man. PM me if you need some help...

-Bryan

Also would I have to change the propeller shaft. please let me know

No need to change the starter as both bolt right in. The auto starter moves the solenoid farther from the engine heat. I would use a 280zx gear reduction starter. Another bolt in.

Cratos