transmission question

Okay, I don't plan to do anything in the near future except drive the car in the beautiful Florida weather, I am thinking down the road I would like to make the car more driveable. But I will be looking for the tranny while I am out and about.

So the question is, which transmission should I look for? What are the pros and cons of doing an OD swap versus a 5 speed Nissan swap? Looking in terms of costs, amount of modification/fabrication required etc.


thanks

If origiality is not an issue, go for the modern 5-speed. I, (oh why must I be so obssessive?) prefer to persist with a non-synchro first, fragile, old-fashioned gearbox in the interest of originality.

Garry,
As Thomas stated if originality is important then only the O/D will do.

A Nissan box (or Toyota or Borg Warner T5) will all fit with varying degrees of installation requirements.
Which one you pick will depend mostly on the ratios required and the availability of the box itself.

Many people find the clutch is more an issue than the box itself but following the well trodden path is usually the best way to save time and headaches.

From the practical side both the O/D and the five speed will do the job.

Cheers , Pete.

Since your car is a 4 synchro, the Rivergate kit bolts right in, as will the Ford T-9. The relative merits of these two options have been debated here many times.

Neither is original, but both have better ratios than the stock B transmission. The Nissan has the taller 5th gear.

The Nissan kit with a salvaged tranny (very easy to find), will run anywhere from $1200 to 1500 (parts only).

The T-9 w/rebuilt transmission runs something over $3K. (T9 parts, should you need them will be harder to find than Nissan parts).

I'm going with the Rivergate ($850 - got a discount for buying 2 at the same time) and a rebuilt 280ZX transmission (just under $575 including the rebuild). So I'm into it for about $1425 for the parts).

Lot's of good choices - all beat the 4 speed.

I would agree that there are lots of choices, and I would seriously consider the Rivergate conversion if I were in the market - HOWEVER, there is nothing as cool as flicking a switch to change gear!

does the shifter come through the tunnel in the same place as my 4 speed synchro on either option?

fordgt Wrote: