Here in N Am we got an FS5W63A 5 speed L series dogleg as the standard transmission in the '77-'79 S10. It was a short 26" long end to end. It was an option on the '79-'81 A10 and fitted the L20B and later the Z20S and there was a mid '70 A series FS5W63A on our B-210s. The thing is, every now and then a long dogleg turns up. They are 31.5" long but with speedo pinion on the right side. South Africa had them during the late '80 on the 910? SSSL18 dual SU carby. They were also in Europe.

Do you have any info on when and what they were on over there if at all? 610/180B? Amy pictures?

Here's a picture

Looks like a 610 / 180B SSS box. Here's mine (after I broke it )

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1970 ex Group A Rally P510
1971 P510
1972 180B SSS
1965 SP310 Fairlady
1966 SP311 Fairlady

Ha! Excellent. I've suspected this for years but couldn't confirm. Nice picture too!

Was the 180B an Australian sold car? or was this a JDM import?

Do you have any other info on this long dogleg? Ratios maybe?

Thanks in advance Dave, this is a great help to fill in the gaps.

180B sedan was an Australian sold car - basically Datsun's "bread and butter" offering in the small-medium car market in the 70's. Most (all ??) were 4 speed.

The 180B coupe (in SSS form) was also sold here, but unlike the sedan was fully imported (ie built in Japan, stuck on a boat and sent over here to be sold), and sold in smaller numbers than the sedan. Earlier ones were 4 speed, later ones could be had with a 5 speed. There's also a lot of the 5 speed boxes floating around in Australia that came over as "Jap import" engine packages in the 80's.

I've got the ratios at home, will try to remember to dig them out. Nothing too flash, with the usual large-ish 2nd-to-3rd gap. Mine now resides under the bench in the shed, firmly stuck in 3rd .

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1970 ex Group A Rally P510
1971 P510
1972 180B SSS
1965 SP310 Fairlady
1966 SP311 Fairlady

I had several 180b SSS with the dogbox and L18 twin carb setup and can tell you they where always a crunchy box even 20 years ago they popped out of gear when pushing them.

Just on a side note Mike did you ever come across a 5 speed 63 series for the CA16/18 in early 200sx or similar CA vehicles or are they all 71 series boxes?

Dave, if they also came with imported engines then that answers another question about Japan using them also. Thanks for that. We also imported a lot of JDM motors in the '80s as they were cheaper than rebuilding. Most if not all A87 and W58 peanut heads came here that way. I have an L18SSS flattop SU and manifold that probably came this was also. This, (japan) is now the prime source for our long doglegs. Thankyou

d, the 63A 5 speeds only came on the L20B '77-'79 S10 (200sx, was an option on the '79-'80 L20B and '81 Z20S A10s (later HL510) and on the A series motors in the '76-'78 B210s (you call them sunnys?) The dogleg is.... adequate for a 2 liter, barely.

The only CA motors we had were the '84 and up S12 (200sx) CA20E and the CA18ET of which I have an '85 5 speed. Yes they were 71B until '86.5 and switched to 71C after that. The turbo CA18 was too powerful for the dogleg.

for the little weight difference the 71 series seems a much better proposition

Oh yeah. Used on the non turbo zx... so 180 HP or so? The first 71C used here was the non turbo '84 zx with the new VG30E engine. The 71C is a very tough transmission.



Ha ha here's some eye candy...

FS6R31A


350Z 6 speed. I got for free because it's jammed in gear.

Best thing about the 63-series box was that I could lift it up under the car by myself. The 71 boxes, I need help or a transmission mount for the trolley jack.


And here's some eye-candy back at you - S15 6 speed modified to fit behind an L18 engine in a 1600 (510). Works a treat on the track -nice, close ratios (6th gear is a little tall for the L18 though). This replaced the 180B SSS dogleg box in my car, its a vast improvement



Out of curiousity, how long is the 350Z box ? I had a look at the one in my brother's 350Z, gave up on the idea of using it in an old Datsun as it looked massive ? Mind you, I didn't get down with a tape measure.

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1970 ex Group A Rally P510
1971 P510
1972 180B SSS
1965 SP310 Fairlady
1966 SP311 Fairlady

Well, to the back by the dust cover 700mm and to the very back of the shifter (which I would try to get rid of) over a meter. Looks like the black cover plate could be removed and a shifter retro fitted? The Z31 had a shifter there.




S15 6 speed... I know of them. Has synchro reverse right?
These were used with SR20 motors? What was done to fit an L series?


Yours looks more sensible.

I actually think this Z box is worth investigating



it would seem its much shorter and as you mentioned Mike the top cover is definitely for shorter shifter position
like would be the case on an skyline or another model. Maybe this box has the forward lever system?
http://www.manualtransmissionpart.com/FS5R30A.html

Daves long 6 speed has a cut and shut at the front which is alot of work but way worthwhile for an L series.
Still I like the Z box it seems very compact.

Mike heres how it could be done for your box
http://jzxproject.com/bbs/index.php?showtopic=4917

the 350z gearbox is a big MF'er. don't be fooled.

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1969 Datsun 510 2 Door Sedam - FJ20ET, GT2876R, Haltech, R200 (Street Car All Rounder)
1981 Datsun 910 Bluebird GX Sedan - VQ30DET, GT35R, Jatco (Project Drag - Street 10sec Car)
2011 VW Amarok Highline TD400i

d... holy crap!. I guess weld a 71B L series front case on. Haven't checked the input spline... doubt it will take an old Datsun clutch disc. Would need an output yoke and spline to match also.


Hell I don't even know why it's locked in gear yet. These early ones were bad for this and dealers just swapped in newer ones that had the upgrades on them. I think this is the case with this one.

Time Nissan went sequential