just curious... how strong are the 280zx boxes both manual and auto ?

I have got one off both and when i got too fix up my car i dont know if its worth dropping the manual box underneath or not.. i would be happy with a auto but wouldnt want to find out the hard way they are not very stong

Anyone elese had any drivetrain problems on there 280zx's ?

And are the gear knobs in the manual boxes generally sloppy ?

If you have both, and don't feel strongly about either, I would go with the stick. Reason is this. Auto's are fine when they work, but gum them up a bit, or get them hot, and they will cause you all kinds of problems. you will also lose a bit of horsepower through the auto. The manual will give you better power to the rear wheels, and is MUCH easier to service. And, most of all, the stick is more fun to drive.

Both are plenty strong enough for anything except a full-race engine.

It sounds like the shifter bushes have worn in your 5-speed though. You will soon see the problem if you remove the gearstick.

Originally posted by 280zx Fever

And are the gear knobs in the manual boxes generally sloppy ?

Ben's right on the bushings. The shifter in the '78 280Z I bought 6 weeks ago was very sloppy although the actual shifts seemed tight. New bushings from Midwest Z, and it is tight all around now! Wish they weren't just little plastic jobs though. Bet they don't last but a few years...

Phred was able to make some out of brass, you may contact him...

Yep it will be the plastic bushes are flogged out and yes brass does work best i have made some myself been in there for 5 years and still going strong.....