1983_280ZX

1983 280ZX (non-turbo) with automatic transmission.

I assume that the manual transmissions are more desirable than automatics.

Can anyone give me an approximate difference in value of manual vs. automatic for a 1983 280ZX?

Thank You,

Rod
Oriental, NC

WanganDevilZ

Automatic - Faster Accel., 4 speed, lower top speed

Manual - Not as fast accel., 5 speed, higher top speed, fun of having a manual

As far as value.., not sure

There is a 5 speed out at my local salvage yard for an 82, it'll be pricey shipping tho

SportBikeMike

^^^agreed. Yep per all the old magazine articles, the automatics are slightly faster. Less turbo lag I guess.

As far as value, I'm not sure, doesn't seem to be much disparity on Ebay as far as manuals versus automatics.

hoov100

Why not swap the bellhousings and install a E4N71B? The overdrive is .686 which will put you around the 180mph mark for a top speed. (gear wise anyway) Hell, you could also step it up a notch and run a RE4RO3A (I have no idea if the bellhousings swap between an L-series and a vg30de/tt) All you would need is a trans controller.

As for value, I would personally look for an auto, they are generally less abused and have the oil cooler plate!

NismoPick

Correction... the 280zx auto trans is a 3 speed:

1st: 2.458
2nd: 1.458
3rd: 1.000

WanganDevilZ

lv280zx

Automatics are faster? I had an manual N/A few years back and I remember it feeling faster than the auto. I have now. I thought manuals were faster due to the fact they have more gears/better ratios.

NismoPick

Did you read anything else in this thread besides the phrase "autos are faster" ? I think you skipped all the other points.

The auto trans is a 3 speed & tops out the rpms at a much lower speed than the manual 5.

lv280zx

I meant to say faster accel. Thought manuals have quicker/faster accel. and higher top speed. Wasn't questioning the other points.

NismoPick

And when we talk about faster acceleration, we're talking fractions of a second... which only matters if you are running on the 1/4mi track.

All that because you can't manually shift gears as fast as an auto. One point that has been neglected is the fact that automatics drain more power than manuals...

Anyway... auto vs manual has been discussed & argued about 50million times on the internet...