better option than SM465 manual trans?

[encasedmetal]

currently have a 305/SM465 manual trans combo and the gear ratios in the trans are driving me nuts. I was wondering what is a better option for me for a daily driver:
NV4500- are the ratios better than the SM465 or are they the same with just an OD added?
TKO trans
T56
SM465- gear vendor OD

[Keith Seymore]

New Process A833 is a nice option, if you can find one. 3rd gear is 1:1 and 4th gear is .73:1.

Mine was a daily driver for 30 years and over 200,000 miles.

K

[encasedmetal]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

New Process A833 is a nice option, if you can find one. 3rd gear is 1:1 and 4th gear is .73:1.

Mine was a daily driver for 30 years and over 200,000 miles.

K

hard to find indeed. I want something better but don't wanna spend 4k to do it

[MalibuSSwagon]

How much abuse can a A833 take? I still have mine sitting in a crate in pieces, and I'm running a stock 5.3L currently. My other option for a cheap transmission is the NV3500, and those don't have a great reputation. Even GM didn't put them behind stock 5.3L's.

[Oberon67]

What's driving you crazy about the ratios in the SM465?

[encasedmetal]

Originally Posted by Oberon67

What's driving you crazy about the ratios in the SM465?

the gap from 1st to 2nd. it's horrific for driving in the mtn's. If I start from a red light at the bottom of a hill I can watch my gas gauge go down.

[Oberon67]

Dude... first gear in that tranny is "granny gear," suitable for starting out under heavy load, or towing, or extreme low-speed applications. Treat the transmission as a three-speed, and start out in second.

[Tom]

Yeah I really hope you aren't actually using the granny first gear to start out in?
The gear spread from 2-4th is pretty normal. Only reason to get rid of the sm465 is because it shifts like crap and weighs a ton, or you want an overdrive.

[MalibuSSwagon]

I want to get rid of the SM465 as first, no overdrive; and since I'm not using it for heavy towing anymore I don't need the granny gear.

[encasedmetal]

Originally Posted by Oberon67

Dude... first gear in that tranny is "granny gear," suitable for starting out under heavy load, or towing, or extreme low-speed applications. Treat the transmission as a three-speed, and start out in second.

it's got L, 1, 2, 3, R

I start in 1 always, and when shifting into 2 the gap is so big ratio wise it just lugs and takes forever to go anywhere. flat roads it's fine. starting on a hill or even going up a long steep hill having to shift from 3 down to 2 I'm just killing mpg. I don't usually care about mpg but I drive 60 miles a day and I'm currently getting 10-11mpg with the 305/sm465

[Edahall]

The ratios on an NV4500 are the same as an SM465 but with an OD added. If you want a closer ratio manual transmission with the durability of the SM465, then you might consider a NV5600. This particular tranny has gears that are closer apart and more appropriate for towing or diesel application. I have this transmission in my 1990 Suburban and couldn't be happier.

Originally Posted by encasedmetal

currently have a 305/SM465 manual trans combo and the gear ratios in the trans are driving me nuts. I was wondering what is a better option for me for a daily driver:
NV4500- are the ratios better than the SM465 or are they the same with just an OD added?
TKO trans
T56
SM465- gear vendor OD

[Oberon67]

Originally Posted by encasedmetal

it's got L, 1, 2, 3, R

I start in 1 always, and when shifting into 2 the gap is so big ratio wise it just lugs and takes forever to go anywhere. flat roads it's fine. starting on a hill or even going up a long steep hill having to shift from 3 down to 2 I'm just killing mpg. I don't usually care about mpg but I drive 60 miles a day and I'm currently getting 10-11mpg with the 305/sm465

Ah, okay.

[tucsonjwt]

At 60 miles per day just get an economy car and park or sell the truck. My old 2002 Cavalier has a hill holder function, so no worry on starting on a hill (or stopping on a hill.) I think most modern cars have this feature. The only problem with late model cars is that there is no room to work on then under the hood and some things are nearly impossible for the DIYer (like heater core replacement.)

[encasedmetal]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

At 60 miles per day just get an economy car and park or sell the truck. My old 2002 Cavalier has a hill holder function, so no worry on starting on a hill (or stopping on a hill.) I think most modern cars have this feature. The only problem with late model cars is that there is no room to work on then under the hood and some things are nearly impossible for the DIYer (like heater core replacement.)

15mpg doesn't bother me, but 10 is ridiculous. I may put something with more power in front of the sm465 and see if that helps

[geezer#99]

First thing to do is optimize what you got!
You've likely got 20 to 30 horses hiding in your motor.
What's your timing curve like?

[Oberon67]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

First thing to do is optimize what you got!
You've likely got 20 to 30 horses hiding in your motor.
What's your timing curve like?

In his place I would start by fixing the leak at the fuel pump. Hard to get good fuel economy when you're leaking gas.

[encasedmetal]

Originally Posted by Oberon67

In his place I would start by fixing the leak at the fuel pump. Hard to get good fuel economy when you're leaking gas.

x2.

[geezer#99]

I think you two should wake up!!
He replaced his pump in his other thread and you responded to it Oberon!

So back to the oringal question---
Whats's your timing curve like?

[Oberon67]

Originally Posted by geezer#99

I think you two should wake up!!
He replaced his pump in his other thread and you responded to it Oberon!

...to tell him how to resolve his continued fuel leak. Which, to my knowledge, he hasn't done yet.

[geezer#99]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=703507
Post 15.
Replaced fuel pump. 20 bucks.

Likely pump wasn't a problem anyway.

[Oberon67]

Originally Posted by encasedmetal

replaced the fuel pump 20$, drives alot better- seems to have more tq now. however, this morning I found gas coming from the threaded fitting that goes in the fuel pump so I'll have to address that.

I agree, one of us needs to wake up.

[Cowdogpete]

Originally Posted by tucsonjwt

At 60 miles per day just get an economy car and park or sell the truck. My old 2002 Cavalier has a hill holder function, so no worry on starting on a hill (or stopping on a hill.) I think most modern cars have this feature. The only problem with late model cars is that there is no room to work on then under the hood and some things are nearly impossible for the DIYer (like heater core replacement.)

False economy. paying for an extra vehicle based on fuel SAVINGS is almost never possible. When you factor in extra maintenance, tires, insurance, all on top of the cost of the vehicle and you only save the difference in fuel mileage it takes far longer to recoup that money than most people keep a vehicle.

[nonstop]

Originally Posted by encasedmetal

15mpg doesn't bother me, but 10 is ridiculous. I may put something with more power in front of the sm465 and see if that helps

A crate 350 would fill that spot. About $1600, so it would likely be about the same cost or cheaper than a later model trans swap. Sometimes the bigger engine will actually get you better economy than the smaller engine, as it is not working as hard. Not sure what the terrain is like for you, but if you're in a hilly area, you likely won't spend much time in OD with the 305.

[Tom]

I've never gotten more then 10mpg with various engine/trans combos in 73-87's and non-overdrives, and I've run 4 different transmissions and 5 engine combo's in these things. With overdrive you can see 15mpg sure, but the gear spread isn't what's causing the mileage loss. Putting a bigger, excellent condition engine might help but highly doubtful.

[slotard]

Originally Posted by Cowdogpete

False economy. paying for an extra vehicle based on fuel SAVINGS is almost never possible. When you factor in extra maintenance, tires, insurance, all on top of the cost of the vehicle and you only save the difference in fuel mileage it takes far longer to recoup that money than most people keep a vehicle.

That really depends on what sort of deal you find, and how big of a difference there is in mileage.

In January I found an 07 Civic Hybrid for $2700. Dirty inside, 192k, some dings, but drives well and has new tires, adds $150/year to insurance (liability only). I average around 40mpg in it, so with gas at $2.50 I'm spending $.0625/mile on gas. Compare that to 12mpg in the truck, $.2083/mile on gas. That means I'm spending $.1458/mile less in the Civic than the truck. It only takes 18k miles to equal the purchase price, plus about 1000mi/year to make up for insurance increase. It also has AC, a working stereo, it's comfortable cruising at 75, it rides nicer, it always fires right up, etc. Maintenance on it costs less than the truck.

If you're talking about new car money, or replacing a truck with another truck, I agree it's unlikely... but replacing a truck with a used car that gets good mileage can certainly save you money.

Do I like the Civic? No. But is it a practical way to get from A to B? Absolutely.