The 63a transmission is a large strong transmission. It was adapted by Nissan to fill a marketing need in USA for a 5-speed (to compete with the Corolla SR-5) and so the existing 63a was modified to fit the small A-series engine. This has two special significances:
- It is strong, suitable for overbored, supercharged or turbocharged A-series engines
- Its successor, the 60-Series Transmission 5-speed is much lighter and so a better fit for A14 and A15 naturally aspirated engines. The 60 is also smaller than 63 and so a better fit in Datsun 1200s.
The 63A came in two versions:
- 63A to fit L-series engine
- 63A to fit A-series engine
So check the bellhousing bolt pattern.
For an overview of 5-speeds in general, see: 5-Speeds. Comparos, Ratio info, etc.
Datsun boxes are numbered by the distance between the centres of the countershaft and the main shaft. The 63-series has 63 mm between the shaft centres.
The "A" indicates the transmission revision, not the engine type it fits. ? my casting has a 63A#1 cast were there different versions?
- 63A
Dogleg 5 speed overdrive 5th Slave cylinder is on the left side Uses AT prop shaft What clutch? What was the special vehicle these came out of?
- 63L
63-Series 5-speed Swap Notes
63a crossmember
Note that the factory crossmember mounting brackets have been removed from inside the tunnel. This crossmember bolts to the floor.
Get a Datsun 810 speedometer cable, it's about 150 mm longer.
You'll need a prop shaft from an AT equipped 60 series tranny as it uses the same output shaft.
Gear Ratios
Gear | F5C56A GX5 | F5C56A Opt. 1 | F5C56A Opt.2 | Overdrive 5 | Overdrive 5 | FS5W60A A14 | FS5W60A A15 | FS5W63A A14 |
1st | 3.757 | 3.757 | 2.676 | 3.513 | 3.513 | 3.513 | 3.513 | 3.382 |
2nd | 2.374 | 2.374 | 1.691 | 2.17 | 2.17 | 2.17 | 2.17 | 2.013 |
3rd | 1.659 | 1.659 | 1.398 | 1.378 | 1.378 | 1.378 | 1.32 | 1.312 |
4th | 1.254 | 1.291 | 1.181 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
5th | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.875 | 0.825 | 0.821 | 0.821 | 0.854 |
Rev | 4.04 | 4.04 | 2.877 | 3.764 | 3.764 | 3.764 | 3.764 | 3.57 |
Note | Stock B110 & B210 GX-5 | wide ratio PN 32010-H7251P | close ratio PN 32010-H7220N | ? | ? | 1980 NA shop manual | 1980 NA Shop manual | 1978 NA Shop manual |
Also see: 4-speed gear ratios at end of article 5-Speeds