Although, for reasons of weight and bonnet height, it was decided not to adopt four-wheel drive, as the new 300ZX would be able to make up the performance difference by through other aspects of Nissan's technology, ie 4 wheel steering, good front/ rear weight balance, and suspension.

Nissan resarched the precision and ease of movement of sports car gear shifts, with the result that the new 300ZX was given double cone synchronisers on second and third gears to reduce the gear changing effort, as it was considered drivers would make more shifts to these gears. A new lever linkage was also designed, and (on the turbo) servo assistance provided for the clutch. The same gearbox is fitted to all models.

The 4 speed automatic transmission is a lockup type. When in drive mode, gears change 1-2-3 then 3 lockup, giving the effect of 4 gears. When overdrive (4th) is switched in, the change goes 1-2-3-4 then 4 lockup, giving the effect of 5 forward gears. There is a communications link between the automatic transmission control computer and the engine management computer, and this amongst other things, allows the engine computer to retard ignition, thus momentarily reducing engine power, during auto gear changes. Auto gear changes therefore are very smooth. The automatic transmission fitted to the turbo model is stronger than the one installed in the non turbo. Although the gear ratios are almost identical, there are many minor differences between the two transmissions.

Power is transmitted to the viscous coupling limited-slip differential via a 2 section propeller shaft. A centre bearing is located at the junction of the 2 sections, and is located above the main catalytic converter assembly.

Gear ratios are: 1st 3.21, 2nd 1.93, 3rd 1.30, 4th 1.00, 5th 0.75 for the manual.

With standard tyres -245/45ZR16 on 8.5J X 16 rims, the manual twin turbo (final drive ratio 3.69:1) the turbo achieves the following speeds:

Gear MPH /RPM

The equivalent table for the non turbo, final drive ratio 4.083:1 is:

The automatic ratios are: 1st 2.78, 2nd 1.54, 3rd 1.00, 4th 0.69, so results for the turbo are:

Gear MPH /RPM

The equivalent table for the non turbo automatic