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ruby (510 wagon L20B 5-speed driver build)


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Okay I started out looking at my options for a transmission. My auto quit on me and I figured I wasn't the first one to grow a distaste for only having three speeds. It was only after several nights of reading threads of other peoples builds that I was inspired to document and share my experiences.

When I got her:

Stock everything

L16 with Hitachi Carb

3-speed column shift automatic

red

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Where I am now:

L20B

shaved .02

Flat top pistons

Performance crank

Complete re-build of engine in 2010

Sounds

New Paint (stock red)

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I've been hunting for a transmission for this baby and I was hoping to find a short 5 speed. The Dogleg was of interest to me because I the truck I drive gets off the line better in second than first. So I am accustomed to starting off bottom left on the shift pattern. But I had a major hurtle in my face: I live in Hawaii. There are many advantages to living in a truly beautiful, eternal summer, but finding rare car parts is not one of them. Neither is the joy of shipping expenses. So I searched every junkyard I could find, and came upon some 720 5-speeds, all mid 80's nap-z motors. Heard about some 280z's, but they were all long tail-shafts and would require shortening my drive-shaft. Not ideal, but beggars can't be choosers. I had read that a sedan driveshaft would fit if I could dig one of those up somewhere. In the end I found a long 5-speed sitting in a guys shop in unknown condition. It turned in all 5 gears + R, and seemed to be in okay shape. I gave him $400 for the tranny, the clutch, the flywheel, the shifter, the fork with new boot, and the throwout bearing. Dont beat me up too bad about the price. Money is worth less in Hawaii. Really. I'm exploring my options for this transmission...

Should I tear it down to see what I really have before installing it? I'm guessing there are some issues that I may only find by opening her up and looking.

 

Should I install this transmission as is and modify my drive-shaft? The big factor that will play in will be the shifter location. Does anyone have experience with the shifter location in a 510 wagon with a long tail ~30" transmission? I am 6' tall and don't have the longest arms. Does anyone have complaints about the stock location of the shifter in a 510 wagon?

 

One option to achieve the stock shifter location, would be to take the tail off of a mid 80's 720 stubby transmission and slide it into my L-series bell housing.

Amazing thread here on Ratsun.net on this topic.

 

http://community.rat...ild#entry608355

 

Getting this transmission set up to install will be step one, but before I put this in, I'm gonna have some fun with bodywork. She needs few rust problems below the doors taken care of, and likely new paint. I don't think my last $1500 paint job has much life left.

 

Ratsun, I turn this thread to you. Inspire.

 

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What's up! Gorgeous looking wagon you've got there. Where in Hawaii are you? If you're on Oahu, we could get together one day... I've got a sedan driveshaft that I'm saving, you can try test fitting it to see how it works. That way you know for sure if they work and you could pick one up from the mainland.

 

I feel you on the parts availability and having to ship everything in!

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Welcome to Ratsun tr8er! :thumbup:

We'll get you sorted.

Regarding driveshafts:

159DSCF0619.JPG

here are four with some specs:

 

top : sedan shortened for z 5spd - 37 3/8" between yoke centers (~5 3/16 shorter than stock)

next : sedan stock - 42 9/16" between yoke centers

next : wagon shortened (and re-tubed) for z 5spd - 43 11/16" between yoke centers (5 3/16" shorter than stock)

bottom : wagon stock. - 48 7/8" between yoke centers. Note larger diameter than sedan

 

It's a bit of a stretch to use a stock sedan driveline on a wagon with a long tail 5spd.

--carter

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Should I install this transmission as is and modify my drive-shaft? The big factor that will play in will be the shifter location. Does anyone have experience with the shifter location in a 510 wagon with a long tail ~30" transmission? I am 6' tall and don't have the longest arms. Does anyone have complaints about the stock location of the shifter in a 510 wagon?

 

 

I have had a column shift and floor shift auto, a stock 4spd, a dogleg 5spd, and a 280zx 5spd in various wagons. All the shifters fell right into my hand. If you are not really happy with where the ball ends up, just modify the shifter. They can be bent, shortened, lengthened, etc to your desire.

--carter

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Welcome to Ratsun tr8er! :thumbup:

We'll get you sorted.

Regarding driveshafts:

159DSCF0619.JPG

here are four with some specs:

 

top : sedan shortened for z 5spd - 37 3/8" between yoke centers (~5 3/16 shorter than stock)

next : sedan stock - 42 9/16" between yoke centers

next : wagon shortened (and re-tubed) for z 5spd - 43 11/16" between yoke centers (5 3/16" shorter than stock)

bottom : wagon stock. - 48 7/8" between yoke centers. Note larger diameter than sedan

 

It's a bit of a stretch to use a stock sedan driveline on a wagon with a long tail 5spd.

--carter

Carter! Look at those beauties. Never before has any shaft gotten me so excited. Can I buy that 43 11/16" off of you? We can mail it book rate. HA! Seems like yesterday you were bailing me out off the side of the road with a spare belt. But its been many years.

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What's up! Gorgeous looking wagon you've got there. Where in Hawaii are you? If you're on Oahu, we could get together one day... I've got a sedan driveshaft that I'm saving, you can try test fitting it to see how it works. That way you know for sure if they work and you could pick one up from the mainland.

 

I feel you on the parts availability and having to ship everything in!

 

KyushaKai, I'm in Hilo, so that would be tough to meet up, but we may still be able to help each other out. Shipping between island is easier, and if you are like me you keep all of your spare parts. I've got every ounce of stock from my car sitting. Hell I even bought new door skins before I installed speakers so I didn't mess up my door skins if I ever wanted to take them out. I have tons of family on Oahu and I go there all the time so I may see you round. It looks like, according to Mr. Boad, that the shaft youve got will actually fall a bit short. And I am not interested in putting undue stress on the joints or bearings. I've read that it is not a big issue, but it seems like a bad idea in principle. I hope I don't have to trust a local shop to get this right. KyushaKai, whats your goon up to these days? Pics?

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IMG_3127.jpg

 

This is mine!

 

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And I could get that short shaft next to it and couple them. He even has one without the black soot all over it. What a find in sleepy hilo. Thanks Randy.

 

I think I will keep the long tail, get a modified shaft, and have my shifter farther back. I like the idea of being able to shift with the seat all the way back. That is how I need to sit to have my knees fit.

 

These came with it, should I use them? or get new?

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Speaking of which, anyone know if I need the flywheel / clutch from the engine or the transmission? Or do I have some freedom? Well I figure I'll read up on this and feel it out.

 

I've gotta go shop for some 6-ton jackstands (for height). I just bought a new 7HP 60 gallon compressor (used). So now I can grind, sand, prime and paint and sand again and polish like a boss!

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IMG_3127.jpg

 

'77-'79 L 5 speed. Chances are it's from a 280z or first year zx as it only has a reverse lamp switch on it. Not a Maxima 5 speed but possibly from an 810.

 

IMG_3137.jpg

 

The transmission does not care what flywheel or clutch assy you use. If you don't use this one, keep and use your bearing collar that's on the car right now... it's matched to your clutch.

 

You can also swap the front from the L 5 speed onto the 720 short transmission and convert it to an L 5 speed. It should fit without having to shorten your driveshaft and will save you time and money. Hopefully the 720 short is from a 2wd or it won't have a speedo drive.

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It is amazing how slow everything is on an island... Every time I need something, it means order it and wait for it. Time for beach!

At least you have an excuse. My projects move slowly and all the parts are on the shelf in my garage! ;)

I wouldn't mind having the beach as a distraction though...

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7385141500_be737bb234_o.jpg

 

Here's mine still wearing Oregon plates. It's been a while since I've shipped it in, but I'm finally finishing up all the things I need to do to get it inspected and registered. I save all my parts as well, but I don't have much for the 510. Mostly Z car parts. Let me know if you need anything though.

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wrong quote... :blush:

 

 

I like your car it looks very happy in the sun..

...... about the trans price,, those 5speeds are getting high priced even here in Washington ..They say sometimes you need to pay to play ,,and by the looks of your wagon ..you are playin with a bigger smile on your face , than most.

 

:thumbup:

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Kyushakai, we've got twins. Nice. I know it's hard to get into the idea of driving your wagon when you've got a Z all rolling, but I've had both, and I prefer my notably slower 510. But not by much. I did love basically sitting on the rear wheels steering my sled of a car. But the dime somehow makes it impossible to get mad while driving.

 

Looks like I've got some options on the pedal assembly. Thanks Ratsun for bringing us all together.

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nice freaking car u know now every ratsuner is gonna wanna stay with u when they come to hawaii.....i know if i lived there i would be cruising a goon.......and living on a beach.....i used a long tail in my goon but i also moved the seats back as i am very tall....6-7 .....theres actually a cut out it loks like on the underside of the tranny tunnel i just hole sawed the round end and connected it to tranny opening.....then i modded a 521 tranny cover to cover the whole...

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Hey Jrock, please tell me you took photos. I want to see that in place. AND I really need to consider moving the seats back. Was that much work? As far as the 521 tranny cover, was that just a boot for the shifter? I'm looking at different options for that, but ultimately I would really like a cup holder. I've been able to manage with an automatic, but with a manual transmission, I will need a place for coffee. I thought about a camelback type thing built into the ceiling, actually, that was a lie. I never thought about that, and I'm not going to.

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flamer ....ok? pics in my build thread....i have been looking for a center console and e brake combo but nothing a tt he yards are excting me....the tranny cover is metal its longer than a 510 one ....i could make one out of two 510 ones but most just move it back and weld up the opening n the hump...for the floor we just drilled out the old mounts and made new from angle iron

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