ASTON MARTIN VANTAGE 3 1973-1978 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION
For the classic Aston Martin V8 Vantage (Series 3) produced between 1973 and 1978, the 5-speed manual transmission is a legendary piece of hardware: the ZF S5-325.
During this era, Aston Martin moved away from the earlier David Brown gearboxes in favor of this heavy-duty unit from ZF, which was also found in the Maserati Bora and De Tomaso Pantera. It was specifically chosen to handle the massive torque of the 5.3L V8.
Technical Specifications: ZF S5-325
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Type: 5-Speed Manual, Synchromesh on all forward gears.
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Layout: Traditional front-mounted longitudinal gearbox (unlike the rear transaxles in modern Vantages).
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Case Material: Cast Aluminum.
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Shift Pattern: Standard “H” pattern (not a dog-leg).
Historical Context (The “Vantage” Spec)
In 1977, the “true” Vantage model was launched. While it used the same ZF S5-325 casing, these cars were the fastest 4-seaters in the world at the time. To handle the increased power (approx. 380-400 bhp in Vantage tune), the clutch was upgraded to a high-clamp 9.5-inch twin-plate unit.
Common Maintenance & Issues
If you are working on or sourcing one of these vintage gearboxes, keep these “quirks” in mind:
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The “Second Gear Crunch”: Like many high-performance boxes of the 70s, the synchros (especially 2nd gear) can wear out if rushed when cold. It is common practice among owners to “double-declutch” until the oil is up to temperature.
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Oil Specification: These units typically use a high-quality SAE 80W or 90W GL-4 gear oil. Avoid GL-5 unless it is specifically “yellow metal safe,” as modern additives can sometimes eat the brass synchros in these older ZF units.
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Leaking Seals: The rear output shaft seal is a notorious leak point on cars that have been sitting. Fortunately, because the S5-325 was used in several European supercars, seal kits are still relatively accessible.
Identifying the Box
The identification plate is usually located on the right-hand side of the main casing. It will typically list the ZF Parts List Number (1295 002 …) and the Serial Number.
Fun Fact: The ZF 5-speed was so robust that it remained the standard manual option for the V8 range all the way through the 1980s, eventually being replaced by the 6-speed ZF unit in the twin-supercharged Virage Vantage of the 90s.
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