S10 5 speed trans

[72ShortboxManitoba]

I have a mild 350 with the bull low 4speed and would like to convert it to a 5 speed overdrive from a older 4.3L S10. Has anyone done this swap before and what problems and modifications with I run into? I know the disc is difference and also the driveshaft lenght.

I am told that the trans is not super strong but a guy I talked to has one in a 57 wagon behind a 454 and it has held up fine so far, but he dose take it easy on it.

The reason I what to go this way is for milage on the highway and the S10 trans are cheap.

Thanks

Red 72 Chevy StepSide Short Box 350 4spd.

[dubie]

gr8scott51 has done this swap in his truck. Maybe send him a PM and ask for more info. He says it's one of the best things he's ever done for highway travelling.

Look at the link below for more info on his truck
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=119438


Where in Manitoba you from?

[Longhorn Man]

That is a t-5 tranny, and I would never use one out of an s-10...the t-5 out of a camaro are stronger...even so, the strongest ones are rated at only 305 foot pounds.
There is a reason the T-5 was NEVER hooked to a 350 in production vehicles.

[Deuce]

If you drive it like a whiteman it should last for a long time. I had a T-5 in my 375hp Mustang and I beat it like a red headed stepchild and it held up just fine.

**Disclaimer**
No offence to whitemen or red headed step children

[Steven Sellers]

Oh boy now I am confused............If they never came attached to the 350 then what was the 5 speed that came with the early 90's 350? i dont know if they came in 2wd 350's but I do know my friend has one in a Z71.

[Longhorn Man]

That was not a t-5, that was something like NV2400 or something like this. Some one please correct me on that.

[Steven Sellers]

Oh that might have been the nv4500 then thx i was lost in lala land again, to help him with his search has anyone done the nv???? transfer into the our trucks?

[Longhorn Man]

Huck has done it...hyd clutch and all. I drove it a couple years ago, VERY nice rig.
NV4500 sounds right.

[FormerMember]

NV4500 is a granny first gear tranny, NOT found in an S10...

[passthebuck]

welcome there fellow manitoban - i dont know if that swap will work though...

[flatblackclassic]

I'd go for the NV4500 before a T-5 from an S-10. Just my .02

[Longhorn Man]

Originally Posted by grendel

NV4500 is a granny first gear tranny, NOT found in an S10...

Is it the granny gear tranny? I'm thinking of the one in mid 90's 1/2 ton pick ups.

We know it isn't an s-10 POS tranny....that's the idea.

[Steven Sellers]

Apparently the early chevy nv4500 was a really low gear then they changed to the higher first gear like dodge was using...heres the site where I dug that up

http://www.high-impact.net/transmiss...ear/nv4500.htm

[Huck]

I installed a NV 4300 about 3 years ago. It came out of a 96 Full Size Chevy truck. First gear is not a granny but a normal gear. The trans and bellhousing is basically a single unit. It runs with a hydraulic clutch----master cylinder running a line to a throwout bearing. The unit is in an Aluminum housing which is light weight. You probably save about 150lbs or more in weight. The bellhousing bolts up to the 350 block while the trans is supported with a stock auto crossmember. You convert the clutch linkage under the dash to engage the master cylinder. You need to change the length on the drive shaft. ONly big problem is the trans utilizes a electronic sensed Speedo and I have not found a simple low cost conversion solution to a mechanical driven speedo. I installed a high hump on the cab floor and the shifter mounts forward enough to use a bench or bucket seats with console. 5th gear overdrive is great but---I am running a 307 posi so the gearing is a bit high. Would probably recommend a 342 rear gear for optimum tradeoff of performance, MPG, and balance. The shift throw is short and sweet. I don't know how strong this trans might be for racing but for what I do, it's almost perfect. Total conversion cost about $900. Huck

[Steven Sellers]

I appreciate the info Huck. i did a Jeep conversion from the Peugot to the AX15 when I was still in Hawaii so i do think this is something Ill consider. That conversion required a lot of time and $$$ heck I spent 1000 just in miscellanous parts I needed. Did you buy the NV4500 new or used? Not trying to and I apologize if I did hyjack the thread, just figured all questions could be answered.

[1972C10]

That Crappy two piece case 5 speed that came in early 90s half ton trucks is a NV3500 They suck Friend of mine tore them out constantly with a 4.3

I belive that the T-5 Is Stronger than the NV3500 As does my local tranmission shop and you can get upgraded parts for A T5 If you break something.

[Steven Sellers]

I agree that the 3500 was not very strong earned a nicee rep in the dodge but are you sure the 350 didnt come with the 4500?

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

The NV4500 is a seperate piece from the bellhousing, like a 465 I beleive. If you want a decent T5 get the World class T5 out of a 87-93 Mustang 5.0, GT or LX. They aren't near as strong as a NV4500 but they will live under normal daily driving. People have put over 400 hp through them at the drag strips but they usually dont live long doing that. If you can find a good used Tremec TKO, they have overdrive and will handle over 400 hp all day long. You can get good used ones for probably around $700 or so. You will need an older style bellhousing, I think, like from an older GM muscle car or get a Lakewood bellhousing. The S10 used a weak T5 and on the newer ones used a NV3500.

[Jason71k10]

the nv4500 was only in 3/4 and 1 ton pick-ups, and it was designed for WORK...The can't be shifted very quickly. they're awesome for a 4x4 though...if you have the $$$ for the conversion

[gr8scott51]

I won't argue the point. I used an S10 T5 (which is the same as the Camaro/Firebird, Jeep, Mustang, etc. just in a different case) because it put the shifter in the correct position to clear a bench seat. You can get some good info on T5 transplants from www.inliners.org - they put theirs behind inline sixes and have had great success. Also www.jtr.com has good info. JTR stands for Jags That Run. They use the T5 in their race cars. There are upgrades that can be done to the T5 to strengthen the weak spot. I don't race my truck (it's a truck - not designed aerodinamically for speed) and I don't tow a trailer, so I don't put any stress on my T5. Like Dubie said, I love 5th gear on the freeways. If you decide you want to look in to the swap a little more, send me a pm - I'll help all I can. Scott

[1972C10]

Ole Boy On here has a 4500 in a half ton Z71 the 4500 is a hoss Huge cast iron granny low 5 speed Its what i aim to put in my 85C20 One Day Unless I can Score A Granny Six out of an HD :BOWTIE:

[72ShortboxManitoba]

Thanks for all the input, I think I will be rethinking about the T5 trans, it might be time to quit banging gears (which is fun but a pain in the city traffic) and go with a auto with a overdrive. Since I have plans to hop up the motor a bit more. I don't really want a trans that I fear might pop if I give it jam on the street.

Dubie I live in Winnipeg on the east side, it great here I have at least 12 wrecking yard within 5 kms of my house.

Thanks Guys

[grayw0lf]

Is the T5 in an S-10 an overdrive transmission?

[gr8scott51]

Yes. Different models have different ratios. Most are .85 to 1, mine is .72 to 1.

[72C203503ONTHETREE]

The only T5 that will live long behind a V8 is the World class Mustang version, the non world class pre 87 Mustang and 92 back F body T5 are ok, but will not live behind power or weight of a truck.

Have you thought about a T56 six speed out of a 93 up F body or Viper? They will handle much more power and you will have double overdrive, and have three choices of shifter placement. They are expensive, over two grand new but can find them lot cheaper used.