Which transmission?

[bgood]

I know most of us here have autos but I'm lookin to put in an overdrive of some sort. I know a 2004r will pretty much slide right in where my 350th is now so that is a real possibility...seems like most of us are going to 700r4s so has anyone got any advice on the 2004r?
I'd really like to put in a manual 5 speed but all I get from the local salvage yards is that "chevy just hasn't made a reliable 5 speed"...anyone here know better? Let me have some feedback, I'm wanting to adjust my cruising rpms and would rather not change my 3.73 rearend.

thanks,

[botboy]

the NV4500 is a reliable 5-speed from what I've seen, but expensive to say the least. Most of the 4-speeds can hold up to abuse but then you don't get an overdrive (unless you find one of the obscure 4-spd overdrives chevy made in the 80's [and good luck finding parts for it if you break something]). Most of the trannys put in the S-10's aren't enough to put up with a stock, much less modified 350, this includes the NV3500 (with integral bellhousing) and T5, I know some people have run these on this board without problems but if you like to bang gears its not an especially good idea. I struggled with the same debate in my '72 and now that its out of commission I'm thinking about how much I'd love to have a 5 speed in my '83 K5, which is a 4WD.

Also if you're looking at dropping an overdrive into a 2WD you have much more varied options from some of the passenger cars, including the T56 6-speed found in camaros, firebirds and vette's, 4+3 found in corvettes, and ZF found in corvettes. Unfortunately none of these options will be cheap

[zooza]

The toplading shifter will be in the bench seat with a t-5 so in goes buckets and even then the shifter seems like to me it would be too far back.
I've been led to think that the 200 4r is a good choice and can be built to handle lots of power or left stock can hold up pretty well with a mildly modified motor.
Thats just my humble opinion.

[Longhorn Man]

The T 5 is pretty much junk. (go ahead and flame me) the strongest STOCK one only holds 305 foot pounds, and that doesn't take into consideration for the added weight of a pig truck or 'spirited' driving.
I'm not sure which tranny Huck used, but he did a kickin conversion in his 71 Chevy with a late model chevy truck 5 speed and he is very happy with it. He did the Hyd clutch, and everything. His only complaint is no speedo. I did fione a solution for that, but it was like a $300 piece...or something just as crazy, and he said no thanks.
Personally, if you were to go the automatic route, I say 200 4R. I like the gearing, and the many options in aplications. While they do need work to hold up to gobs of power, they have less internal loss due to friction (acording to the Kilgore rating) than any other GM auto/overdrive.
Another option...again, kinda spendy, is a gear vendors (Or other brand) aux tranny....it is an add on unit that you bolt onto the tailshaft of your existing tranny. This is a gear splitter, and you end up with first, first high, second, second high...ect. In the gear splitting, you don't need to hit the clutch pedal, and this makes drag racing a little quicker since you keep the motor in the sweet spot by shifting, but you aren't hurting the rate of acceleration by lifting and clutching. The gear vendors was designed for the RV and straight trucks, and is designed to hold up to 1500 horse motors. Our tranny shop has done quite a few gear vendors installs, and no one ever comnplains about them....except the cost.

[CaperCat]

Well said, Longhorn Man.

I saw Huck's manual transmission set up when I bought his red 71. It was really nice. Contact "HUCK" for more information.

Steve

[Gee_Emm]

What cars did the 2004r come in? What a decent price to pay for one? Does the shifter linkage hook right up or would it require modifcation?

[Z28Owner]

ttt

[krue]

Originally Posted by Gee_Emm

What cars did the 2004r come in? What a decent price to pay for one? Does the shifter linkage hook right up or would it require modifcation?

The last of the GM rear wheel drive cars (think mid-80's with OD). And from what I gather the shifter will hook right up. When cdowns gets back from his evacuation he should be able to tell you, he runs a 2004r.

[bgood]

Fellas, I've scoured the archives in engine and drivetrain, general discussion, and 67-72 trucks and I can't turn up the discussion of Huck's overdrive install...anyone have anymore clues?
thanks!

[Longhorn Man]

Can you make it to the Ohio Board Meet? He'll be there with that truck. (Yeah, just a plug for our get together)

[bgood]

I'll bet its gonna be a good time! Ever do a meet in Atlanta area? Or middle Tennessee perhaps?

[LUV2XCLR8]

I Was Thinking Of Huck's Truck Also, Drove It Here, Like 5.5 Hrs...

[Longhorn Man]

I can't remember much of the details...clutch master cylinder mounted on the firewall....moved the brake booster out a fraction of an inch for clerance, a stock hyd line to the slave cylinder...
Like I said, no details.

[stelth2002]

Almost positive that huck has a nv4500 in his truck. They should be plenty of tranny to hold up to any naturally aspirated small block. My friend runs one in a dodge pushing 1000 ft lbs of tire burning power and has only had to do some minor tranny work.

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

They put those NV4500 behind Dodge Cummins and other big truck engines, so I know they will take the abuse of a 350. You will need to get a bellhousing designed for one though, the input shaft retainer diameter is different than most Chevy car and truck versions. I believe the bolt pattern may be the same though, not sure.

[aesj2]

See jetchip.com for info on auto overdrive trans. For the manual types the T-5 can be made stout but the better choice is the T-56.

[inline6Bill]

For manual transmissions: www.keislerauto.com

For automatics:www.bowtieoverdrives.com

These should give you all the info you need.

[Gee_Emm]

Awesome website, all the info I need to know expect how much is a fair price to pay for a 2004R, there is one here for sale from a La sabre with 20,000 miles on it. Anything I should look for when buying a used tranny?

[cableguy0]

dont look for a used automatic to just put in and go basically you want a core and have it built to handle what your going to throw at it otherwise you will be unhappy when it blows up the first time you rip into the throttle

[incoma]

I've dropped a 200R4 in my truck. Everything's bolting right up to it. Seems like there was another thread in this forum just a few days ago, b/c I posted to it also. I bought a rebuilt 200R4 with all of the kevlar components, etc for $650 + 125 for the TC. The guy I bought it from lives in So. Illinois. I can give you his number if you like.

[Gee_Emm]

It will be behind a 250 in my Jimmy so I don't think I have to worry about ripping it to shreads with all my horsepower. The one that is for sale here they want $150 for it and it comes with a TC.