The 510 Realm

Since I have 4 differant gear boxes in my posession right now, and recently went thru an i.d. drama, I thought I would post up some visual info. This might make a good sticky, but the Obergrupenfuhrer's of the site will decide.

Here is an ultra-close ratio Roadster box with an L series bell housing:

Stock 4 speed:

82/83 280ZX:

KA24DE: Please add on as you get them...

can the KA24 tranny even bolt on to the L series engine ( like L16-L28) or you would have to modify the thing together?

It would be raked about 30 degrees toward the passenger side due to the location of the starter on the bell housing. So, short answer, no. I don't think the KA will except a L series bell housing, though I could be wrong.

The L, Z and KA have the same bolt pattern for the tranny, however the Z and KA motors sit vertically ,(or very close) while the L series motors are actually leaning to the right (pass side) by 12 degrees. The tranny front case half bolt pattern and starter position for the Z and KA motors have been rotated 12 degrees to the left to fit the more upright position of the motors.

So yes, the KA tranny will bolt up to the L series, but it will have to be tilted 12 degrees to the pass side it line up with the L series motor bolt holes. This will also tilt the tranny mount and shifter 12 degrees to the right. To correct this, the front case from an L series 5spd can be swapped onto the front of the KA's FS5W71C to orient the shifter into the 'L' position. It sounds easy but there are some mods to make to it. I don't see why the KA tranny shifter can't be bent into the vertical position and a small wedge used on the rear tranny mount to compensate for the tilt.

The L and most Z series FS5W71B trannys are 31.5" long but the KA's FS5W71C from a D-21are at least 2" longer. The 240sx are longer still.

Looks like I have a 82/83 280zx transmission on my hands? Sorry if I'm making the thread turn to shit.

Could be a '77-79 620 or 280z but not 280zx. I don't think it was made after '80.

Can you post a picture of the shifter from the side?

Did the rear mount come with it?

Something odd about it but will have to wait until I get home from work to look some stuff up. Don't give it away just yet.

Possible on the 620 I think. The kid didn't have a lot of information his dad use to race it with the 5speed an the L20b that I got with the car. He didn't know where the motor and transmission came from. There are the two only other pictures I have I can try and get a few better ones tonight. Hopefully I can find out. I don't need and want to get rid of it, but don't want to say the wrong thing and make somebody get something they were not expecting.

FWIW can you post the number stamped on the top of the bell?

Closest one I can find that has that particular case... (note the gussets around some of the bolts that hold the front and rear case halves together, also the two longer through bolts and thicker case on the top) ... is maybe a 5spd from a '78-'79 810/Maxima. It still could have been used on the 280z, you never know.

I'm pretty sure the "ears" you see poking out both sides when looking straight down on the shifter mount indicate 280z not zx, a direct bolt to the L.16/18/20. Dave

Yes that, and the retaining bolt for the speedo drive is in the 12 o'clock position. All indicate a pre 1980 tranny.

Sorry, I've been so busy lately I completely forgot about the transmission.

So with out having the number, most likely this is a Z 5 speed?

I'll say '77-'79 280z/(maybe zx). The 620 trucks had a top or 5th gear switch in '78 and '79 which this trans does not have. Doubt the 280 did as it was efi.