NV 3500 5-speed in a Square

[bob_o]

Has anybody done this swap? My '75 Sierra originally had a 3-speed Saginaw, currently has a TH350 and I've been thinking about going back to a manual, but something a bit more modern. My truck is my daily, has a 290hp GM crate motor with a stock 3.73 (I think) limited slip rearend. I don't plan on ever doing any major towing with the truck. Just want a bit better mileage and have always preferred a stick. I know that I would have to upgrade to a hydraulic clutch/slave setup, but I'm not too concerned about that. I found an NV 3500 on the local CL for a very reasonable price and it appears to be in good condition (seller claims it has been recently rebuilt). Just want to know if these transmissions are worth the effort. Thanks in advance!

[russgt]

They are a decent transmission and will hold up as long they are taken care of and not abused to much. I do know that finding 3rd gear while getting on it can be difficult, hurst does make a competition plus shifter for it.

[bundy]

i have one in my 79 shortbed, easy swap, only thing i really had to do was drill some new holes for my tcase cross member (you wont have that issue). it has been in the truck for 5 years and has pulled heavy loads, been wheeled, and even to the truck pulls. i have had no issues. I will never go back to a 4 spd

[bluex]

Originally Posted by bundy

i have one in my 79 shortbed, easy swap, only thing i really had to do was drill some new holes for my tcase cross member (you wont have that issue). it has been in the truck for 5 years and has pulled heavy loads, been wheeled, and even to the truck pulls. i have had no issues. I will never go back to a 4 spd

So no mods to the trans tunnel (besides the shifter hole) are needed? How did you go about hooking the master cylinder to the pedal?

Thanks,
Paul

[bundy]

i had to move the tunnel hole back about 4 inches, same for the 4wd shifter. i did not have any height clearance issues with the 4wd tunnel. If you are using a hydro clutch setup all you need to do it to connect the mater and slave cylinders. i used a section of brake line the and ran under the trans to the pass side of the trans. if i ever get around to it i would use stainless braided and go along the fw and then drop sown the pass side

[hatzie]

Get a set of 85-86 CK or 87-91 RV hydraulic clutch pedals.
The NV3500 is a good tranny as long as you respect its' limits. If your motor exceeds 300ft-lb of torque, at lower RPMs, it won't last long.
Be sure it's an NV3500. The 88-92 MG290, HM290, and 5LM60 had various reliability problems and were often passed off as an NV3500... Hopefully they've all gone the way of the Dodo.

[bob_o]

Originally Posted by bundy

i have one in my 79 shortbed, easy swap, only thing i really had to do was drill some new holes for my tcase cross member (you wont have that issue). it has been in the truck for 5 years and has pulled heavy loads, been wheeled, and even to the truck pulls. i have had no issues. I will never go back to a 4 spd

Right on. Makes me wonder if I'd have clearance issues with a low hump floor..

[bluex]

Originally Posted by bob_o

Right on. Makes me wonder if I'd have clearance issues with a low hump floor..

That's what I'm wondering.

I have a set of mechanical pedals I'm using. I'm not paying the crazy prices these guys ask for a used, rusty, worn out set of hydro pedals....

[Lepsyl]

Im also thinking about this swap. Dose anyone know if you can mount the clutch pedal from an 88-98 truck in a square?

My gearbox is from a -91 W/T. Is that an nv3500 or something else?

Do you think the driveshaft should fit in my -81 C10?

[hatzie]

Originally Posted by Lepsyl

Im also thinking about this swap. Dose anyone know if you can mount the clutch pedal from an 88-98 truck in a square?

The 85-91 squares had hydraulic clutches so no need to use the T400 pedals.

[Lepsyl]

Originally Posted by hatzie

The 85-91 squares had hydraulic clutches so no need to use the T400 pedals.

Yeah but my car is an -81 Automatic and finding a hydralic clutch pedal is impossible in Sweden.

[bundy]

are there any u-pull it yards around? a set of pedals here is less than $50

[bob_o]

Originally Posted by hatzie

Get a set of 85-86 CK or 87-91 RV hydraulic clutch pedals.
The NV3500 is a good tranny as long as you respect its' limits. If your motor exceeds 300ft-lb of torque, at lower RPMs, it won't last long.
Be sure it's an NV3500. The 88-92 MG290, HM290, and 5LM60 had various reliability problems and were often passed off as an NV3500... Hopefully they've all gone the way of the Dodo.

Cool. thanks for the info. Are there any obvious visual clues that set the NV3500 apart from the MG290, HM290, and 5LM60?

[hatzie]

If you get lucky there's a dataplate on the tranny that will give you a definite ID.

This is an Up-To-Standards trade newsletter article on the various differences but they're all internal.
http://rsgear.com/articles/1998_11.pdf

This is a pretty comprehensive list of the tag codes.
http://www.smartpartsauto.com/manual...500_chevy.html