FlowBench Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Just registered here. Cool forum. I just picked up this '72 for $200. This will be my first datsun project. Its pretty straight and rust free except for the panels below the doors. They need to be replaced. So, as of now my plan is to either build it in to a straight axle gasser or modify the existing suspension and slam it. Either way, I plan on building a draw through turbocharged l20b backed by a 5speed for it. So, my question for you guys is, whats the best tranny to look for and what needs to be done to swap it in? Ive got a full fab shop to my disposal, so i know I can make it work, just wanna know what Im about to confront. Also are there any weak points of the frame i need to address? Quote Link to comment
woodside4032 Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Damm $200 nice find Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 datzenmike is the tranny king I have a dogleg in my truck, but its just a daily driver. The late 70s 280zx Z cars have good trans in them, they will fit your L motor... Welcome aboard tho :D Quote Link to comment
Cuts metal like mad Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 datzenmike is the tranny king I have a dogleg in my truck, but its just a daily driver. The late 70s 280zx Z cars have good trans in them, they will fit your L motor... Welcome aboard tho :D good tranny, yes, but require shortening the tranny mount. Quote Link to comment
FlowBench Posted August 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 whats the easiest 5-speed to install. thats how i should of phrased the question to begin with. The only reason I wanna swap the tranny is mine is real sloppy, and since Im swapping it out I figure I should just go to the 5 speed. Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 what is sloppy? If its just the shift you can look at the bushings and probably replace them if bad. Depending on the shifter, i dunno which yours has. but i just put two new brass bushings on mine, and it took care of the slop. 10 dollars on ebay free shipping... Quote Link to comment
Jester Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Nice score Flowbench! I say STREET LEGAL gasser. That would be cool. Looking at that '59 at Blue Lake made me think gasser. :D Welcome to the forum. Now fill out your location in your profile so we know were you are. You can also check out the FAQ's page for a LOT of upgrade type stuff for your truck. Quote Link to comment
yello620 Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Welcome. AS was already mentioned, fill out your profile? Where are you located, that truck looks familiar.:D Looks like Oregon plates too. Quote Link to comment
Jester Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 That's what I thought. Quote Link to comment
Bob3 Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 I think I NEED a 521! Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 non turbo 79 to 83 280zx trans. it has a tall over drive . Quote Link to comment
Skib Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 the N/A 83 in particular has a taller 5th than the other ZX trans Quote Link to comment
FlowBench Posted August 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 what is sloppy? If its just the shift you can look at the bushings and probably replace them if bad. Depending on the shifter, i dunno which yours has. but i just put two new brass bushings on mine, and it took care of the slop. 10 dollars on ebay free shipping... I'll dig into it here soon and see. The shifter is just like a limp noodle and all over over the place. Nice score Flowbench! I say STREET LEGAL gasser. That would be cool. Looking at that '59 at Blue Lake made me think gasser. :D Welcome to the forum. Now fill out your location in your profile so we know were you are. You can also check out the FAQ's page for a LOT of upgrade type stuff for your truck. Yeah, Im leaning gasser route. Something about a ill handling, wheelstanding death trap is so attractive. Im from oregon. Picked up the truck in molalla. I'll check out the faq right now. Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Welcome! Nice to have another 521! HAveing just asked some questions on this subject, the way I understand it is, any 5speed swap will require cutting and welding of the transmount on a 521. If you go with the 1979 dogleg from 200SX it is the same length as the stock 521 trans, so you can keep the stock two piece carrierbearing driveshaft. But you will have to modify how the shaft connects to the trans (Splined end VS old flanged end.) You will have to shorten and weld the stock transmount. A Zcar one will be long and require a new drive shaft and modifying the trans mount. But there is a theory that if you can find the Short section form a 620 truck two-piece driveshaft, and use that with you stock long shaft section, it might be the right length, but I haven't seen it done yet. Good luck, I'd love to see a gasser! Quote Link to comment
nismo dr Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 a Datto Gasser would be tits! Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 a Datto Gasser would be tits! Lol and we allllllll know how much ratsun loves tits :D Quote Link to comment
stilltwisted Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 welcome to the forum ,,it sounds like shifter bushings to me Quote Link to comment
fisch Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 welcome to the forum ,,it sounds like shifter bushings to me Unfortunately the stock 521 shifter is just a sloppy thing. It is refered to as the monkey shifter. (Maybe cause of the way chimpanzees shake hands? All floppy like.) Some folks pack some extra washers in the gaps and replace the pin with a grade 8 bolt and crank that puppy down. I will say I felt an improvement when I got a new shifter boot and replaced the old cracked one. I was surprised how much better it felt. Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Welcome! Nice to have another 521! HAveing just asked some questions on this subject, the way I understand it is, any 5speed swap will require cutting and welding of the transmount on a 521. If you go with the 1979 dogleg from 200SX it is the same length as the stock 521 trans, so you can keep the stock two piece carrierbearing driveshaft. But you will have to modify how the shaft connects to the trans (Splined end VS old flanged end.) You will have to shorten and weld the stock transmount. A Zcar one will be long and require a new drive shaft and modifying the trans mount. But there is a theory that if you can find the Short section form a 620 truck two-piece driveshaft, and use that with you stock long shaft section, it might be the right length, but I haven't seen it done yet. Good luck, I'd love to see a gasser! but if he really boost's an l and putts the dog leg in there it will brake. A mild l20 brakes those transmissions . Quote Link to comment
izzo Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 but if he really boost's an l and putts the dog leg in there it will brake. A mild l20 brakes those transmissions . what is considered mild? peanut head? Cam? weber??? plz do list :D Quote Link to comment
tangent Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 non turbo 79 to 83 280zx trans. it has a tall over drive . yep Quote Link to comment
FlowBench Posted August 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 so dogleg is weak huh? So am I better off with a 4 speed or a different 5 speed? What tranny should I be looking for? I'll see if I can cure some slop in my box for now. Definatly want a durable box in her though. Quote Link to comment
kiznook Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 Am I seeing things or did tangent just post. On topic sounds like a sweet project. Welcome home Quote Link to comment
DISLEXICDIME Posted August 23, 2009 Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 what is considered mild? peanut head? Cam? weber??? plz do list :D well my l20 had a peanut head su's and 2inch exhaust. and the dog leg did not last long this one lasted a couple weeks. and the other car had a big cam flat tops su's and 21/4 exhaust. that one didnt last to long either but all it did was fry a bearing. so it was a easy fix. this one lasted a couple months. so dogleg is weak huh?So am I better off with a 4 speed or a different 5 speed? What tranny should I be looking for? I'll see if I can cure some slop in my box for now. Definatly want a durable box in her though. you are either going to need a 78 79 or 80 620 with a l20 5 speed or a 79-83 na zx trans. or you can swap the bell housing of a 720 5 speed or you can use a ka trans and swap the bell housing but you will have to do some milling to make bearing fit. If this next L series trans i am putting in my dime fails i am going the ka trans rout! Did your truck come with a l series or a j series engine Quote Link to comment
FlowBench Posted August 23, 2009 Author Report Share Posted August 23, 2009 l16 Quote Link to comment
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