Need manual transmission recommendation

[freak]

I'm just starting my 72 c10 rebuild. I had a 350/350 in it but want to convert to a stick shift. The truck will be a driver but won't be worked. I have another truck for work. I have several 350's sitting around but I'm toying with the idea of re-powering with a 6.2. This won't be a racer. I don't need huge horsepower. Either engine will have a few upgrades however. Fuel economy is important to I can frequently drive it on my 30 minute commute. So for each engine, the gas and diesel, which manual tranny do you recommend? Be specific if you can because I'm looking to purchase soon. Thanks!

[freak]

Should have mentioned that I don't need or want a granny gear. Overdrive is good.

[mongocanfly]

I would go with a 5 spd nv4500...you get the best of both worlds.. good low gear and a overdrive..its almost the same as a sm456 but with a overdrive. The sm456 is the granny low gear trans..the nv4500 1st gear is not as low

[freak]

Thanks! Will that work with both the 6.2 and 350? Any particular model/year I should look for?

edit... Do you start in first or second with the nv4500?

[hugger6933]

I would look at the NV 3500 it is the trans the General used in half ton trucks and higher output S-10's [is that an oxymoron?] It doesn't have a grandma gear but it does have an overdrive. Then there is the hybrid T-5 Use a Camaro and anS-10 trans and have a cheaper to use overdrive some say they won't take much abuse but lots of guys go to them.

[freak]

Originally Posted by hugger6933

Use a Camaro and anS-10 trans and have a cheaper to use overdrive

Not sure I understand the part I quoted above. Could you explain?

[rattle69]

Originally Posted by freak

Not sure I understand the part I quoted above. Could you explain?

I just happen to have been reading on this yesterday. The T5 out of the camaro has a shifter location that is too far back causing the shifter to come up in the middle of the bench seat. To fix this people have swapped the s10 T5 tailshaft to the camaro T5 transmission. The s10 tail shaft shifter location is about 10 inches or so closer to the front. From what I understand you can just use an S10 T5 and skip the camaro part all together but some other modification is needed. I believe with the bell housing.

[zbreezen]

Just so happen to be pondering over this myself. I have a saginaw 4 peed and want to change out to a 5 speed. Not having any luck finding a late camaro with a tremor 5 speed in the salvage yard. Plenty of pick ups though. Wanting to change to a hyd clutch also. the mechanical linkage is in the way of routing my exhaust to keep pipes off the ground. truck is lowered.
One other question. On my truck, as with other manual trans, crossmember mounts to bell housing. Autos just use rear mount on trans. Is there adequate support to only use the trans crossmember for my stick? Horsepower will be kept under 400. Thanks

[jayoldschool]

T56.

[freak]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

T56.

T56 looks very nice. What bell housing?

[mongocanfly]

Freak..I have the nv4500 in mine..I can start in 1st or 2nd with ease..but mine also has 4.10 gears..the later model trans are the ones that were recommended to me because of a synchronizer issue they had in the earlier models..i believe mine is a 2002..but you will also have a issue with the electric pulse speedometer to deal with..dakota digital makes a convertor. I have mine behind a 6.0 ls but it came behind the 6.2 diesel.

[freak]

Ok thanks. Scrounging for the tranny looks to be the hardest part.

[NC_John]

Tremec all the way. And if you want to do it right, just spend the money on a complete kit from American powertrain or hurst driveline conversions. I bought a used 6-spd on Craigslist only to have to spend $$$ on the rebuild anyway.

Would have saved both time and money buying a new magnum.

[freak]

That's what I'm worried about. Plus my wife's gonna kill me.

[freak]

Wow!! That Hurst kit looks amazing!!

[hugger6933]

I have about $300 in both of my T-5's so that hybird T-5 makes a lot of sense to me it can be used by/with the original 3 speed bellhousing. The newer man trans can use the trans support for the auto in these trucks. Jim

[jayoldschool]

You need the 93-96 F body T56 bellhousing (and trans). Note there are three different version (and ratios) of that trans (and two torque ratings).

[freak]

Originally Posted by jayoldschool

You need the 93-96 F body T56 bellhousing (and trans). Note there are three different version (and ratios) of that trans (and two torque ratings).

Sorry to be so clueless but would that bellhousing have to be from a v8 or is the v6 the same?

[mike16]

if its all origonal they stick with origonal. if its been upgraded or is otherwise not origonal then go with the best.

automatic? go with an overdrive
if its a manual on the floor go with an np4500

[Aruba1]

NV4500. I have $350 in the transmission I got off CL. It came with clutch assembly, master cylinder, bell housing, slave, drive shafts, etc. I only had to purchase a new MC and Slave and it went in smooth and shifts like a dream. If you want a racer and want to drag race, go with a T56 and a car, lol. If you want robust and affordability, go with the NV4500.

[freak]

Originally Posted by Aruba1

NV4500. I have $350 in the transmission I got off CL. It came with clutch assembly, master cylinder, bell housing, slave, drive shafts, etc. I only had to purchase a new MC and Slave and it went in smooth and shifts like a dream. If you want a racer and want to drag race, go with a T56 and a car, lol. If you want robust and affordability, go with the NV4500.

What did your nv4500 come out of? How many miles were on it?

[Aruba1]

Mine is a 1997 and came out of a 1 ton Chevy with unknown miles.

[cpnbnanamn]

Resurrecting an old thread. I'm trying to figure this out myself. I'm building a SB 400, and am wondering what manual trans to put behind it. I have a 3OTT now, but want something better.
Thinking about the NV4500, and thought about the T-5, but I don't think it'll stand the power.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by cpnbnanamn

Resurrecting an old thread. I'm trying to figure this out myself. I'm building a SB 400, and am wondering what manual trans to put behind it. I have a 3OTT now, but want something better.
Thinking about the NV4500, and thought about the T-5, but I don't think it'll stand the power.

The NV4500 will stand the power but it is not a speed shifting transmission.

Also, don't rule out the Jeep AX15 2 wheel drive or the Toyota Supra Turbo R154 5 speeds.(basically the same trans) There is an adapter kit available to bolt them up to the Chevy bellhousings and they are supposed to be a pretty stout manual 5 speed. The adapter is a little pricey but it is milled, and the kit comes with a GM bellhousing locator/throwout sleeve and mounting hardware.

https://www.novak-adapt.com/catalog/...15/kit-gmax15/

If you need a bell housing adapter ring get it from here:

http://www.dennymac.com/muncie-bell-...g-adapter-ring

The Novak one is $33.58 plus $15 shipping and the Dennymac one was $28 shipped when I bought mine.

There is a lot of good information on these two web sites also.....

LockDoc