5 speed trans question

[allens4876]

I know i am probably beating a dead horse here, but i want to do the 3 to 5 speed manual trans swap. i had a s10 t5 lined up, but that fell through. anyways what im getting at is which transmissions would hold up good behind a 283 in a 67 c10 BESIDES the camaro and s10 routes. nobody wants to get rid of their trannys for reasonable prices in east tennessee i guess. i was looking into a 5 speed in the 90s silverados, but i dont know if theyd bolt up. any help, or directions to older posts would be appreciated!

[MalibuVLX]

Im far from an expert but I am doing something similar. I have a 67 w/ a Gen I 350 and the stock 3 speed on the tree. I found a 5 speed from an IROC Z which has 23 spline output shaft. You will have to match your clutch to whatever you find. My new/old tranny came with bellhousing, clutch, pressure plate and throwout bearing. As far as installation. You will most likely have to move your transmission mount/cross member. I plan on making a new cross member to allow for the longer housing. Driveshaft will have to be shortened. And of course, cut a hole in the cab floor. Measure twice, cut once.
Make sure you find stuff w/ mechaincal speedometer. Many newer transmissions have electronic. There are conversion parts to make them work, but does cost more money.
My only issue right now is finding a yoke. May just have to bite the bullet and buy a new one. Finding a late 80s manual transmission in the pull and pay is kinda tough.
Good luck

[MalibuVLX]

As far as bolting up, use the bellhousing you have and most manual Chevrolet transmissions will bolt right up. The NV3500 and 4500 are your options as far as I know. The 4500 is the heavy duty version and has a very low 1st gear. The 3500 are in the 1/2 tons and similar in strength to the Camaro/S-10s from what I have read. Like I said, I am no expert, so please chime in if I am off base.

[allens4876]

Cool, I'm no where near an expert either. I just got to thinking last night of vehicles with manual transmissions with a sbc. I'm just amazed at how difficult it is to find even a beat up 4 speed that I could rebuild! Thanks for your reply

[MalibuVLX]

Craigslist is where I found my 5 speed. I paid $300 for it. I see them every so often, but not sure what you are getting. The stuff on ebay is crazy money. You may be able to find a T 10 or Muncie around that someone has swapped for a 5 speed.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

The S-10 from the mid 80,s tag # 1352-145 is the best one for that. It has the mech. speedo & good ratios. It is light duty but will stand up if you don't hot rod it. I have put several behind 350,s & not have any problems. There is oodles of info in the search on this website & others.

[burnin oil]

I would say the NV3500 is alot stronger than a T5 trans. Fords had the better T5 transmissions from the factory and mustangs ate them. Watched my buddy grenade one in his mustang by slightly rolling backwards at a stop sign and coming off the clutch in 1st gear. I am talking barely rolling and not doing a clutch dump, just a typical day to day driving manuver. NV3500s came behind 350s in 1/2-3/4 ton light duties and behind 318 Dodge trucks. T5 never came behind anything over 305 Cubes that I am aware off. There is probably a reason that Corvettes kept the saiginaw 4spd, the base for the 4+3 tranny, and never used a T5. I would do the NV3500 if I were on the cheap or look for a deal on a T56 that wont be cheap at all.

[marvgarr68]

OK dont use the s10 t5 the input shaft is weak and you have to cut the end down and find an adapter clutch disc. Use a camaro t5 from a v8 bolt it to your bellhousing use a clutch from anything that had a t10 tranny same 26 spline input shaft. The world class t5 is the strongest of all only came in late model cars most are fords and v6 camaros both use the ford bellhousing bolt pattern. I built my own from three t5s used world class gears in a non world class case machined for the bigger bearings and the thrust plate. This is why NWC t5s eat gears there is no thrust plate they are just straight roller bearings. WC t5s used tappered roller bearings with a thrust plate. I also used an Astro van tail housing for shifter placement and for the 5th gear syncro indent. Had to move the gear for the mechanical speedo also. As long as the trans is built right (they are picky about the end play or the gears will blow) it will last just dont slam it. This is an easy swap and a cheap one if you do some research and get the right tranny.

[LockDoc]

-
I installed an S10 5 speed overdrive trans in my '67 behind a 250 6 cyl and so far it is working out great. I drive like an old grandpa (because I am) so your outcome may differ, depending on how you drive.... Pretty straight forward.

Here are a couple of threads that may help you.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=434512

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=438224

You don't have to cut anything down on the tranny, just use an adapter plate, and as far as the clutch disk all you have to do is get an 11" disk for an '85 Astro Van. Couldn't be easier...

LockDoc

[hugger6933]

First off the 5 speed that came in the C1500 trucks from say 88 and up thru ?? was the NV3500 that had a non removable bellhousing. The HD trucks the C2500 and the C3500 had the NV4500 and it did have the removable bell, but like said above the low gear used to be know a granny low and is practicly useless. I in one of the 70's that I am building plan to keep it a man trans truck with the T-5 trans swap as I have already gathered parts. I will be using a V-8 Camaro T-5 with S truck shifter top and tail. you CAN find this stuff. After I decided I was gonna go this route I had both trans at my shop with the clutch pressure plate and even a throwout bearing and flywheel from the Camaro, and the S-10 trans was also there with a rear yoke in it. All of those parts where at my shop in less than a weeks time and the money total? A little less than $150. It can be done just don't get it too big of a hurry, it will mess you up. Also look at some of the post about the T-5 swaps. There is one in the tech tips section as well that leads you to the site that has some other stuff that will make it go better as well. Jim

[marvgarr68]

In regards to the rear yoke the th350 yoke is the same.

[burnin oil]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

First off the 5 speed that came in the C1500 trucks from say 88 and up thru ?? was the NV3500 that had a non removable bellhousing. The HD trucks the C2500 and the C3500 had the NV4500 and it did have the removable bell, but like said above the low gear used to be know a granny low and is practicly useless. I in one of the 70's that I am building plan to keep it a man trans truck with the T-5 trans swap as I have already gathered parts. I will be using a V-8 Camaro T-5 with S truck shifter top and tail. you CAN find this stuff. After I decided I was gonna go this route I had both trans at my shop with the clutch pressure plate and even a throwout bearing and flywheel from the Camaro, and the S-10 trans was also there with a rear yoke in it. All of those parts where at my shop in less than a weeks time and the money total? A little less than $150. It can be done just don't get it too big of a hurry, it will mess you up. Also look at some of the post about the T-5 swaps. There is one in the tech tips section as well that leads you to the site that has some other stuff that will make it go better as well. Jim

I think that you are doing really well for $150! Your NV3500 info is close but not 100%. 3/4 tons can go either way. The LD 3/4 tons almost exclusively had the NV3500. These trucks had 6 lug nuts. The 8 lug 3/4 trucks normally had the NV4500. Years ago I had a K2500 (light duty) ext cab that had a 350, nv3500, and a 3.73 rear. I can't remamber the T case for sure but I think it was a NP241. Sold that truck 15 years ago but it was one of several NV3500 trucks with a factory 350 that I owned.

[SPUdMurphy]

W55 or W58. Thats what I would run. Conversion adapters and hardware are all easily available online for the swap. Tons of guys back home in Aus use them behind 350s with great success

[allens4876]

im going out and getting a nc3500 from a 90 1500. the guy has it on a 1970 blazer and it was behind a 350. if it bolts to a 70 blazer,no reason it shouldnt bolt to my truck. along with the trans hes throwing in a yoke, a slave cylinder, and a driveshaft. all for $350. ill keep updates with how this works out.

[marvgarr68]

You are changing over to hydraulic clutch then? Nv3500 are hydraulic clutch and non removable bellhousing.

[allens4876]

yes ill have to change over to a hydraulic clutch which wont be a big deal to me. im more comfortable with a trans that is a little more durable. ive read in more than one place that the t5 is really easy to tear up. the guy i bought the trans from had his blazer torn down so it was easy to see what exactly i have to do to get this trans in. seems like its going to be an easy project.

[Roostboy102]

I put the NV3500 in my 72 behind a 4.8 lsx n I'm happy with it! I don't plan to slam gears but it's reallllly nice compared to the original 3 speed! Trans, yoke, master, pedals, line, shifter all for $300 off craigslist!

[hugger6933]

What I had said is that the HD 2500 and the 3500 had the 4500 trans. The HD 3/4 was also known as the RPOC6P or the 8 hole rim, with 8600#GVW. That is the trans that is shared with the C/K3500 and does have a removable bellhousing and a super low first gear that is almost useless in normal driving. The ld2500 did have the NV3500 with the nonremovable bell as most other of the part from the 1/2 ton truck were shared with the light 3/4 ton it carried a GVW of 7200#. Jim

[allens4876]

i got the nv3500 which has the permanent bellhousing. easy install after looking over his blazer

[hugger6933]

I've got one of those extras laying around[still in the 06 truck I junked] what do you plan for the speedometer?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

I've got one of those extras laying around[still in the 06 truck I junked] what do you plan for the speedometer?

He could do this...

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=453615

LockDoc

[allens4876]

I was going to redo the whole speedo, but after seeing that gps speedo post i may go with that. its a pretty cool idea

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by allens4876

I was going to redo the whole speedo, but after seeing that gps speedo post i may go with that. its a pretty cool idea

All I've got is the speedometer in the Green '67 but I really like it. It is dead on no matter what rear ratio, transmission, tires, or anything else you have in your truck. And as 1967CHEVYC10 said "the good part is, burnouts don't add to your mileage"...

LockDoc

[jocko]

T5 will hold up fine behind your 283, or anything for that matter, depending on how you drive it. If you want to do burnouts at every light - then, no, don't use a T5. If you don't drive like that - then a T5 is fine, and a fun install. Here's my thread for how I did it in my 66, same logic applies to a 67-72. Maybe you'll find some useful info in here: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=482069 The only thing I'd do differently is to purchase Vintage Metalworks T5 adapter plate rather than make the custom one you see in this thread. It wasn't available (or I didn't know it was available) back when I did this swap. The T5 drove/shifted like a dream, MUCH more fun to drive. I tried to make it look like an old 60's Hurst shifter setup, but lots of options as to how you co do it for your own taste.

[allens4876]

ive been looking at electric gauges into the stock panel as well.

something like these.
http://www.speedhut.com/gauges/Speedhut/36:3