510 Transmission F.A.Q

78-80 200sx 5 Speeds

The first generation 200SX (78-80) were equiped with a L20B and a 5-speed transmission. These transmissions are often called dog-leg trannys because of their shift pattern. (Fig 1.) What makes this a popular swap into 510s was the fact the the transmission was the same length as the stock four-speed and required a minimul amount of modification to mount.
These transmissions, if in good working order, can hold upto a mildly modified two-litre. If you are looking at getting more power to the wheels, you might consider the Z-car 5 speed transmission or NAPZ powered truck (720 series trucks) 5-speed.

Installation

There are two modifications that need to be made in order to install this 5-speed into a 510: 1) Transmission crossmember needs to be modified. 2) Shifter plate on transmission tunnel (inside the car) needs to be moved forward about an inch.
There seems to have been at least three transmission crossmembers produced during the 510's lifespan: 1) Early manual (No rubber insolators), 2) Late manual (Rubber insolators) 3) Automatic Tranny crossmember. Regardless of which crossmember you have, they all need to be moved down about an inch to accomodate the tranny mount point which sticks down lower than the stock 4-speed. The mounting holes on the crossmembers will need to be slotted inward, and may also need to be altered more so that everything will line up. The automatic crossmember only needs to be slotted inward and then mounted backwards (i.e. The front of the crossmember should now be facing backwards)

80-?? Truck 5 Speeds

The 5 speed transmissions attached to NAPZ powered trucks can be used with a minimal of modifications. The bellhousing needs to be swapped with the bellhousing from a 200SX/HL510 transmission in order for the shift lever to point up instead of towards the passenger compartment. I'm not sure what year Nissan switched from the NAPZ to the KA24 motor in the trucks, but I think it was around the 1988. Mounting this transmission required the same modifications that the 200SX 5-speed required.

78-84 Z-Car 5 Speeds

If you 510 has a strong motor (i.e. a built L20B or larger), you may want to install a 5-speed out of a 280ZX. Because of its longer length, it will move the gear shifter back about four inches. These transmissions require that you shorten your driveshaft, modify the transmission crossmember, cut a new gearshifter hole in the transmission tunnel of the car and drill new mounting holes in the chassis for the crossmember.

Modifications

COMING SOON!

General Maintenance / Troubleshooting