1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

So I have a 91 K30 which had the 6.2L in it. I bought the truck off a guy the truck had broke down on him and it was setting on the side of the road. I got his number from a note he left on the window saying not to tow will be removed shortly so i called him up myself. The trans was blown and only moved in reverse, barely. he said hed sell the truck for 500! No rust needs a fender engine ran great. x military truck d60 front! So i bought it off of him the truck sat for a while i kept it running though pulled the axles for my 82 and then sold the engine. Its setting in my driveway now with stick axles under it for now just to roll around. I want to put a Cummins in it and pretty much do a complete frame off make it a daily driver/Hauler. Im not sure what tranny to put behind it though. I want a stick so i was thinking the 4500 but was wondering if anyone has ever done that combo or not. I was also considering the 4l80E which is already in the truck id just need it rebuilt. or any other suggestions let me know! pics of swaps like this would be awesome too! :metal:

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

The 4500 came stock behind 94-up Cummins. I'm not sure a 4l80 can survive behind the 6BT, but IMO rather have the stick...save the t-case, it can be used behind it. The adapter is worth a small fortune...

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

NV4500 for sure.

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

I also would rather have the 4500, but for those that prefer an automatic, a 4l80E can be made to survive behind a stockish 6BT. It was even used in stock applications behind the LB7 and LLY Duramax in the vans (well 4l85e...) Although the dmax was detuned, plenty of van guys have ran stock truck LB7 and LLY tunes with good results.

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

Yeah it has a 205 behind it that i will swap to the 4500 if thats the route i go (which i probably will) because i want a stick in it i was just seeing what everyones feedback would be about the 4l80 but im thinking it will cost a pretty penny rebuilding it. Also thought the 8.3L cummins instead with a semi trans just for all out hey why not lol. A buddy of mine just picked up one pretty cheap to put in his excursion but im not sure i was thinking about the 24v 5.9 Cummins so i can downtune for better gas milage when im not doing any pulling

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

Sure why not
http://www.nc4x4.com/forums/showthre...084#post667084

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

I would go with the stick as I love rowing the gears, but definitely use the close ratio NV4500 as it lends to be more user friendly with the narrow powerband of the diesel and moving a load.

-steve

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

I like that link GCn that trucks awesome! mines a SRW though so prob wont be doin the 10 lugs lol wanna keep it low to pull a gooseneck or fifth wheel

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

anyone know if you can mate that fulmer 13 spd to a 24v cummins? :hmm:

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

fuller my bad

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

Yes, easily, that build was a 13 speed Fuller behind a 6BT... There were plenty of trucks that came stock with Fuller transmissions behind the 6BT that will have the correct bellhousing.

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

The NV4500 will be the cheapest and easiest. The 13 speed fuller would be cool, but what a waste in a pick up. You'd get tired of shifting that thing for sure. Not to mention I'm sure it would suck to work on. I put a 8V92 and a 10 speed in a 86 K30 and it was a really tight fit. Sucked to work on once I got everything in there. The 4L80E can be built to handle it but will be expensive to get behind the cummins. You will need an adapter and flex plate, and a controller and a starter. Probabaly around $1700 just to get the trans mated to the cummins. If you want to go with the fuller, I do have one bell housing left that will work for one.

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

Not to thread jack but got any pics? That I've got to see. I've seen a 6V53 in a truck and that was a pretty tight fit. The bigger issue is the weight of the engine, how did you address that?

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

No pics sorry. I did this about 11 years ago before I got on the computer and forums and stuff. :lol: It was a very tight fit. As far as the front springs, I had some front springs out of a big Kodiak we retro'd at work and they were way over kill. The engine was in the K30 frame for about a year and I swapped the engine, and my trans on a military truck frame. I used the K30 body and it was much easier to work on it then. I sold the truck and it went to Nebraska some where.

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

truck is oem 4l80e truck that was oem diesel has the controller for the 4l80 already.

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

That'll only work if you can transfer the proper inputs from the GM diesel to the cummins. The 4L80E needs throttle pos, and engine speed, and I'm not sure what else. You could make brackets and modify to your needs I guess. I haven't messed with a 4L80E behind one before. I have helped with a couple, but it wasn't as easy as use the stock ecm on the truck because the trucks didn't have them in them.

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

Destroked sells adapter and flexplate to bolt a 6bt to a gm trans.

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

I like manual but the 4L80E would do fine. Are you sure it needs a rebuild?

Re: 1991 K30 4l80E or NV4500 behind Cummins?
 

Cummins makes one as well. But it has an offset built into it which I do not like. The Destroked parts are nice, but it makes it very expensive when installing any auto using their billet flex plate.