Transmission and Rear End Gear Ratios

Z Car Transmission & Rear End Gearing

Contributed By: the Members of the IZCC

Produced by: Carl Beck IZCC #260
Special Thanks to: Steve Golik-IZCC #356, Tom Bell-IZCC #2802 & Ross Corrigan-IZCC # 255

The Purpose of this page is to give you a quick reference listing of the gear ratios used in the various models of the Z Car. We will try to include both transmission and rear end gear ratios FYI.

As of 12 Mar. 2000 -cjb

Standard Differentials & Rear Gear Ratio's

This is the list that we came up with, after discussion on the Z Car List, and review by the subscribers there.

Standard Rear End's as Delivered From The Factory 1969-1989 :


240Z        70-73   MT       (3.364) (R180)

240Z        70-73   MT 5spd. (3.900) (R180) - non US

240Z        71-73   Auto     (3.545) (R180)



260Z        74      MT       (3.364) (R180)

260Z        74      Auto     (3.545) (R180)



280Z        75-76            (3.545) (R200)

280Z        77-78   MT       (3.545) (R200)

280Z        77-78   Auto     (3.545) (R180)



280ZX       79      MT,4 Spd,2 Seater (3.364) (R180)

280ZX       79      MT,5 Spd,2 Seater (3.364) (R180)

280ZX       79      All With Automatic(3.545) (R180)

280ZX       79      MT,4 Spd,4 Seater (3.364) (R200)

280ZX       79      MT,5 Spd,4 Seater   (3.7) (R200)

280ZX-GL    79                          (3.7) (R200)



280ZX       80      MT,2 Seater       (3.545) (R180)

280ZX       80      Automatic 2/4Seat (3.545) (R180)

280ZX       80      MT,4 Seater         (3.9) (R200)

280ZX-GL    80                          (3.9) (R200) 



280ZX       81-83   Automatic all     (3.545) (R180)

280ZX       81-83   Turbo - all       (3.545) (R200)

280ZX       81-83   MT                  (3.9) (R200)

 - - - - 300ZX's - - - - - -- -

300ZX       84-86   MT and A/T          (3.7)  (R200)
300ZX       84-86   Turbo MT and A/T    (3.54) (R200)
300ZX       87-89   MT and A/T          (3.9 ) (R200)
300ZX       87-89   MT and A/T          (3.9 ) (R200)
300ZX       87-89   Turbo MT and A/T    (3.7 ) (R200)
            Note Turbos: 
            #1) after 4/87 only-(3.7 Clutch Type LSD)
             2) 88 All White SS used a 3.7 Viscous Coupling LSD)
             3) LSD Unites Came With Finned Rear Covers

Additional Comments: a) Viscous Coupling LSD requires special splined half shafts - b) 84-87 R200's can be used in earlier cars, but require modifications they are not direct bolt in swapable to 240/260/280Z/280ZX's c) 84-89 R200's used a 12mm bolt in the ring gear - earlier R200 used a 10mm bolt in the ring gear, so you can not swap Gear Sets with the older R200's

Standard Transmissions & Gear Ratio's

1970 through 1971 Factory Four/Five Speed Transmission Ratios

      70/71 three piece case 
 
            U.S.     Non-U.S.
          F4W71A     FS5C71A
1.         3.549      2.957
2.         2.197      1.858
3.         1.420      1.311
4.         1.000      1.000
5.          n/a       0.852

RearGear  3.364       3.900

1972 through 1976 Factory Four/Five Speed Transmission Ratios

     72/76 two piece case 

          U.S.        Non-US
         F4W71B      FS5C71B
1.        3.592       2.906
2.        2.246       1.902
3.        1.415       1.308
4.        1.000       1.000
5         n/a         0.864

RearGear  3.36        3.900 (72 thru 76)

1977 through 1983 Factory Four/Five Speed Transmission Ratios Note: Ratios in 4spd.'s are the same as 5spd.'s For 1st-4th gears.

     77-79    1980     81-83         Borg Warner T-5 {Turbo Only]

1    3.321     3.062     3.062         3.500

2    2.077     1.858     1.858         2.144

3    1.308     1.308     1.308         1.375

4    1.000     1.000     1.000         1.000

5    0.864     0.773     0.745         0.780


1984 Through 1989 Factory Five Speed and Auto Trans.

      T5         Nissan   FS5w71c       auto        auto
     turbo       turbo    non-turbo     non-turbo   turbo
     84-86       87-89    84-89         87-89       87-89
   
1    3.350       3.324    3.321         2.458

2    2.056       2.077    1.902         1.458

3    1.376       1.360    1.308         1.000

4    1.000       1.000    1.000

5    0.752       0.711    0.759

R    3.153       3.382    3.636         2.400

Special Note#1There was a 5 speed 720 truck('79-'85)transmission that will bolt into an L-6 car, that also has "lower" gearing. However, there were two other sets of different gear ratios available, depending on the truck model:


   #1         #2        #3

1    3.592     3.321     3.592

2    2.246     2.077     2.057

3    1.415     1.308     1.361

4    1.000     1.000     1.000

5    0.813     0.833     0.813

Factory Competition Transmissions 77 - 83
There were Factory Competition 5-Speeds available through NISSAN Competiton Dept. There were two overdrive Transmissions, and four with the direct drive (1:1 in fifth gear)


                #1       #2       #3       #4       #5      

32010-N3130   2.906    1.902    1.308    1.000    0.864  (close ratio)

32010-N3030   3.321    2.077    1.308    1.000    0.864  (wide ratio)



32010-N3220   2.818    1.973    1.470    1.192    1.000

32010-N3221   2.348    1.601    1.296    1.138    1.000

32010-N3222   2.192    1.601    1.470    1.138    1.000

32010_N3201   3.321    2.270    1.601    1.240    1.000   (rally transmissions)

Notes: The overdrive (FS5C71B) and direct drive (F5C71B) transmissions utilize the Servo-type (steel) snycro mechanism. For a complete parts breakdown of the listed overdrive and direct drive transmissions see the Nissan Motorsports Schematic catalog (99996-M8015). The shift kit (99996-E3030) is required when installing any of the listed transmissions into 240Z's built up to 8/71.

FS5C71A Conversions:
These parts will allow the FS5C71A 5-spd transmission from the Datsun 2000 (SLR311) roadster to be adapted to any Z. The R200 flang assy (38210-N3103) is required on Z's built from 12/74 to 7/75.


30401-22010        Clutch Housing

32130-A7100        Tail Housing

32241-A0200        Main Shaft

32890-A0100*       Striking Rod Assy.

37000-E4100        Driveshaft (to 8/71)

37000-E8710        Driveshaft (from 9/71)

1990-96 300ZX Transmission For Both Turbo and NA.

The transmission model is RS5R30A.
The 300ZX model is the same for both the NA and TT, but Nissan relocated the starter in the TT, and changed the outer and inner front cases.

1st 3.214 2nd 1.925 3rd 1.302 4th 1.000 5th 0.752 Reverse 3.369

Please contact Carl Beck
With additions and or changes to this page.