Maximum Tune

I now have a First Gen with fatory 5-speed that needs a little work. Soon it will be turbo with the L24e or a full L28ET. I know the factory 5-speeds are about as rare as hen's teeth, but I would like to know what members have a 5-speed 1st Gen, and if so, is it factory or a conversion?

Also, how many 1st Gen 5spds have you ever seen?

I have only ever seen 2 in person, one in a junk yard (wish I could have bought it), and the one I have now (to the best of my memory). All the others are automatic.

maximase86

iTrader: (24)

I have a 5 speed 2nd gen. 1st gens did have a factory 5-speed.

S

SurraTT

iTrader: (59)

1 2 3 4 5

Maximum Tune

Yes the 1st Gen did did! The id plates in the car even list the FS5W71B as the factory installed transmission, so I know it's not a conversion!

Niku-Sama

iTrader: (1)

i have seen a few 1st gen manuals but they were all in a yard...doesnt a 280z transmission work?

maximase86

iTrader: (24)

Probably is the same tranny. There seem to be a lot of parts that could be interchanged between a Z and a 1st gen.

S

Maximum Tune

As you may know, there were two versions of the L-series 280Z/280ZX 5spd. One was an early version with a lower 1 and 2nd gear, and also a lower 5th. The late version on 81+ 280ZX came with higher 1 and 2, and a higher 5th. the later version also had a "reverse gear lockout" to prevent going from 5th into reverse when the car was in motion. Both the early and late 5spd's have the FS5W71B model id, but you can see the reverse gear lockout cover on the right side of the transmission toward the back. I will need to get under my Maxima and see if I can id the transmission. If I have the early 5spd, I will be putting in a late "b-version" 5spd from my parts bin.

Cray54

I've got a stock 5-speed in my '84 Maxima. I believe the box number is the same as the later 280ZX, but has different ratios. The 280ZX box also takes a different shifter. I might know a guy looking to get rid of a 1st Gen Maxima 5-speed in Wisconsin if anyone needs it.

-Chris

arsonist63086

i allso have a 1st gen 810 wageon (a.k.a maxima) from 1977 wich is stick. wich is my new project car since ma 85 maxima got inpownded .

claytonc

I have an 81 5spd wagon; it's a fun car.

Maximum Tune

The first 810's were never Maximas in any market. The "Maxima" label was used in the second body style and at first was called "810 Maxima" (even if the body code was 910 and it looked like the other later 910's). It is interesting to note that all the 810's and 910's are Bluebirds in Japan and Australia.


One thing is that most of the mods are the same for both 810 and 910 bodies. I need to look at my 810 Factory Service Manual (FSM) and see how the suspension of the early 810 2/4 doors compares with the later 910 versions. If I understand there is not much difference, except some of the member and links maybe a little different in size.


Claytonc:
5spd Wagon, huh? You should do the L28ET conversion, and then kick the butt of a 240SX and the Honda ricers. Just intercool and boost control to 10psi with no other mods and get about 220rwp! With larger/more injectors most say that 250rhp is doable. I would like to watch the ricers as you fly by, and as they are thinking "how can a _______ 80's wagon be that fast?". Egg on their face, know what I mean?

claytonc

I hear ya on that... I actually have an l28et awaiting a rebuild and new turbo and a couple spare dollars. I'm thinking of waiting to try and find a rear end and axle with a quicker ratio and disc brakes first, though.

arsonist63086

yep and thats 1 of my plans an l28et and tranny. when i 1st got the car it was crap they had tacken the EFI system of of it and put in a webber carb wich was fu-ked up, put ot this way the car didnt run for nothing. till i cleand out the carb and started her up, but i still wasnt satisfid, so i trabed my freind his fu-ked up EFI system from a 280zx and i gav him the carb setup. so in other word 77 810 has a working l28 EFI system (cuz i fixed it ). but i got a few mor ideas to do to it like swaping a l28et with stick trany for a faster shift, or chevy 350 v8 with a 400 0r 700 trany (auto), or keep it famil an put a vg30et and stick trany.
what do you guys think.

Maximum Tune

NO NO NO, NEVER V8! If you want power and some gas mileage then go with the L6.
The VG would fit, as it will in most other Nissan L6 cars, but you give up the smooth L6.

Get the 5spd from a late model 280ZX (81+). It will have a taller 5th gear than the early 5spd. The late "B-version" 5spd is not a fast shift unless you get a short-throw kit from some place like Motorsport Auto.
Keep the flywheel from the 810. I believe they are weigh less, like the 910's, than the ZX 2-seater unit. The Z 2+2/280ZX 2+2/280ZXT <240mm> flywheel will let you use the 280ZX Turbo and 300ZX turbo clutch, but it does weigh more. just use a higher hp rated clutch that will fit the stock flywheel.

HowlerMonkey

Transmissions, driveshafts, and that what-not are easy.

Hard thing is to find a set of pedals that will support your trans selection.