Need help identifying this tranny

[MRLQ2U]

Thanks in advance. Got a dogleg for my 510, but the bell housing didn’t line up properly. Any help identifying it is appreciated. Need to know so I can sell it. The markings on the tail housing just say 63A#2. The bell housing is stamped ZL63A#2.

[510rob]

when you say it didn't line up properly, do you mean the transmission is clocked wrong compared to the engine?

dogleg transmissions came in early 200sx cars (77-79 or whatever) with an L20B, or in the later 200sx cars (80-82 or whatever) with a Z20/Z22

The L20B is slightly tilted in the engine bay. The Z20/Z22 is essentially straight up and down in the engine bay.

If you connect a transmission from a Z-series engine to an L-series engine, the transmission will be 'clocked wrong' with respect to the engine, visible by the shifter assembly being tilted over.

is that what you mean when you say the bellhousing didn't line up properly?

(the "Z" stamped into the bellhousing should indicate that it was attached to a Z20/Z22)

[MRLQ2U]

It is clocked wrong. I had not considered a Z-series. I could bolt this trans to my L-20 but the shifter would stick out the passenger side of the tunnel, making for some uncomfortable moments during shifting - especially the passenger.

Thanks for the feedback. Now, what to do with a Z-Series dogleg.

[datzenmike]

The L series FS5W63A was the manual transmission on the '77-'79 S10 200sx. It was an option on the '78-'79 A10 (HL510) in the States and through'80 in Canada. In '80 in the States and '81 in Canada, the Z20 engine was introduced to the A10 and the L20B retired. The dogleg was still available optionally with the Z series engine but only on the hatchback. This Z series dogleg has a slightly closer ratio gear set than the L series.

The only other car to use the 63A dogleg option was the '77-'78 B210 GSX. Identical to the L series box other than the bell housing bolt pattern.

It's worth something to someone with a worn out L series dogleg. All that's needed is to swap the L series front case onto it to 'convert' it for L use.


The later '80-'83 S110 200sx used the FS5W71B and did not use the dogleg. It was identical to the Z series 720 truck transmission.

[MRLQ2U]

Thanks Mike! PM inbound.