RugerLuger Posted April 5, 2015 Report Share Posted April 5, 2015 I would like to put a five speed from a 1980 280zx in my L20b powered 510. I have read all that I can find about the conversion and what it entails. One thing I can't find info on is driveshaft diameter. The seller of the 5 speed has the driveline from the 280 to sell along with the Trans. Can I shorten the Z driveline instead of shortening the 510? I apologize if the answer is obvious but I haven't seen the 280 driveshaft to compare it to the 510. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Diameter doesn't matter. What does is the length. The stock 4 speed sedan driveshaft is 42 9/16" long it needs to be shortened to 37 3/8" in order to fit a longer zx 5 speed. Measure the zx driveshaft and if it is 37 3/8" or longer it can be shortened. This is the driveshaft lengths to the previous generation 280z car... 750mm is only 29.55". I doubt the 280zx driveshaft is 7 or 8" longer. Find out. Quote Link to comment
RugerLuger Posted April 6, 2015 Author Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 Thanks for the info. For some reason in my mind I assumed that the Z would have a longer driveline. Now that I think about the transmission in relation to the rear axle I can see that the sedans driveline would be longer. Quote Link to comment
datzenmike Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 The 510 wagon driveshaft is longer still. Quote Link to comment
Dolomite Posted April 6, 2015 Report Share Posted April 6, 2015 I think I had to use the 510 drive shaft because the 280zx one being too short. That is, I know I used the 510 unit but am not positive the 280 unit was too short. My trans is an '82. That said, my l20 seems to be over a quarter inch farther forward than most. I have the same engine and radiator as Dave from sacdat, he has spacers on his and over a quarter inch clearance on the bottom hose, mine has no spacers and I also flattened the lip around the radiator to get similar clearance. Quote Link to comment
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