Can anyone tell me whether a 5 speed gearbox from a 1979 model 280ZX 2 + 2 will fit a 1985 300ZX?

no

The V-6 and L-6 use different bell housings. When using the T-5, from the L-6 Turbo, you would need the V-6 Bell housing and a new "shorter " input shaft.

Hope this helps.

ecp48

I thought that the input shafts for the T-5 were the same only the bells had changed, the clutch is the same for the 83 turbo to the 86 turbo.

If this is true that shoots my chances of getting a 84-86 T-5 with the better gears.:sleepy:

ZmeFly,

I thought the same, but picked up an L6 Bell Housing and put it on the V-6 T-5 and the pilot shaft sticks out 2 or 3 inches (from memory, I'm in Chicago and the tranny is in my garage at home), anyway it was a noticeable/substantial difference.

Ed/ecp48.