I was wondering if anybody like the title says has done this swap? What parts are needed? Best trans to swap into it? Keep 700R tailshaft? Any info would help, maybe a guide on how you did the swap, any gains etc? I know this may seem like a crazy idea since the 700R is a rally good transmission, but I personally like to have a lot more control over my vehicles, thats why i am considering it. Any advice/knowledge would be appreciated. Thanks and have a great day!
BTW: there is a very good scrap yard close to home that i can get whatever parts for good prices and readily available.
What engine are you using? My first guess would be one of the New Venture Gear 5 speeds. There is one that has a reasonable 1st gear ratio, but damned if I cant remember which it is. It'd be something like 'NV1500' 'NV2500' etc.
Parts for these aren't exactly common, and with NVG leaving Syracuse, I can't get them. So, call around 1st if you go this route and price out an overhaul kit. If its too big to choke down, buy an extra trans.
If that doesn't fit your bill, you'll be left with an aftermarket TKO. The TKO with its top shift and 3.27 1st is a really good truck transmission...because that was its original intention for the Mexican market (Tremec is a Mexican company). Its a good trans, lots of info out there. But, it might be too pricey for you.
Next up would be a world class T5 out of a V8 Camaro/Firebird. Only good reliably for 250ft pounds....maybe 300
The truck was available with a 5spd right from the factory. It was the predasesor of the NV 3500 ( can't remember the model).. IIRC '93 came the NV 3500 and it's an ok trans. Not great, but it shifts ok. I have 1 in my '95 K1500.. I would however recomend a NV 4500 out of a 3/4 or 1 ton pickup. Stronger and cheaper to rebuild if it ever needed it... Donor vehicle for ither is what you will need for the initial swap. 5spd will work without any ECU changes as the 700-R4 is fully mechanical except for the lockup
Thank the both of you for the info, and keep it coming people! The engine is a 350 now (soon to be 355). The truck is no longer computer controlled its been fully converted to carb. just a little more info in case its needed. thank you. and the next question would be do both of those work exactly as a bolt up, no further mods (crossmember, driveshaft, etc.) thank you.!
If you use an NV3500; make sure its a 1993 and later C/K truck. For the 3500 the ratio you want is the M50 close ratio with the less snoozerific 3.50 1st gear. I do NOT know if the 3500 available in the C/K trucks was ONLY the wide ratio with its 4:1 1st gear. I also do not know if the 4.3L V6 mid 90s S10 3500 (the common spot for a M50 close ratio) is able to fit the V8. The 3500 has an integral bellhousing (like an automatic) and I do not know if there is enough pilot length for a Gen 1 V8.
Re: the 4500; Its a 'better built' unit to be sure; its built for a working truck to tow loads; Its literally a 200 pound chunk of cast iron and has a charming 5:1 1st gear or the utterly re-donk-ulous 6.34:1 1st. Which means probably just use 2-5 gears. AND if you're only going to use 2-5 to begin with, you might as well find an 833OD. Easier to fix, smaller, 4spd OD
A NV3550 out of a Heep is NOT the same as the Mustang 3550; its a POS so avoid it (yes I said Heep).
a 4.3 NV3500 from a S10/ blazer will work with a 350, but for the C/K, the shifter is in the wrong spot.. For a bolt in 'sporty' transmission. The '93-'95 NV-3500 would be the hot ticket. It bolts in with donor parts ( x member, pedals and driveshaft ).. '96 had some changes to the clutch setup but the trans is the same.. 3500 does make noise and isn't known for reliability, but it's decent.. C/K's had the wide ratio, but I drive 1 every day, and have no issue with it
Which 5 spd is this? It's been in my 92 GMC 1500 since new. It still has the original clutch in it. It's towed cars many times. The truck gets 20 mpg on the highway with 3:42 rear end gears and a 350 engine.
Getrag 5LM60. It's the predescessor of the NV 3500. It looks almost identical to the NV 3500 except the internals are way diffrent and it's much weaker.. If it works, keep using it tho
I thought it was a Getrag. I'm not worried about the strength of the internals. It's always got the job done. The towing capacity was never published when I bought the truck. If I remember right it was good for 6500 pounds towing. I didn't want anything to do with the junk 700R4s in 92 that's why i went with a 5spd.
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