72 custom/10 5 speed conversion - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72Custom/10 · 04-20-2005, 09:50 AM

i have a chance to buy a 5 speed transmission out of 80's V8 camaro. i would love the final gear ratio of that transmission to put in my Custom/10. it has a 350 with a 4bbl, intake, cam, and headers. i think the T5 transmission will give me much more speed and gas mileage. i'm wondering if the original 3 speed and the 5 speed are the same size. if anyone has already done this conversion, let me know how u did it and what it took to get it done please.

Aubigmac · 04-20-2005, 03:07 PM

I did this conversion on my 72 a few years ago. it bolts up fine. I believe I even used the same bellhousing.

The bigest problem was the clutch. The T5 input shaft splines are at the very tip of the shaft. None of the factory clutches would let the input slide through it far enough to engage the pilot bushing. I wound up having to have a custom clutch made that offset the splines towards the flywheel. Problem was the only pieces that would work were light duty car junk and I broke two clutches. Thing that killed the whole deal was when the transmission broke. I was very easy on this tranny the whole time I ran it cause I knew it wasn't made to hold up to a truck that heavy. When it broke I was just casually shifting from 1st to 2nd and it came apart.

Longhorn Man · 04-20-2005, 07:26 PM

Yep, the T-5 is not a strong tranny. There's a reason they were never bolted to anything bigger than a 305.
There is tranny mount issues since the camaro one is mounted at an angle
Maybe shifter location problems
maybe speedo cable verses electric problems

72Custom/10 · 04-20-2005, 09:13 PM

what other 5 speeds were made to do this conversion?

Longhorn Man · 04-20-2005, 09:58 PM

Full size pick ups...nv-something or another (nv3500 maybe?) Fairly strong tranny. i'm sure some one who knows that tranny will chime in, I don't know specifics, but there's a few ppl on here running them.
I just noticed that you just joined...
Welcome to the board from central ohio, where you located at in the world?

72Custom/10 · 04-20-2005, 10:14 PM

i'm in south carolina, dead center of the state

72Custom/10 · 04-20-2005, 10:21 PM

i've looked at an nv3500 on ebay before, the thing that discouraged me from it is the permanent bell housing. i was wondering if the linkage clutch that my truck has would work on the hydraulic clutch. i am assuming that the nv3500 is set up for a hydraulic clutch. this transmission came in the 80 and 90's 1500/2500's right?

HugrOrang71 · 04-21-2005, 05:36 AM

The NV 3500 and 4500 have removeable bellhousings. Will allow you to retain a mechanical type clutch linkage.
The 4500 is a heavy duty low geared transmission that was first available in early 90's Chev and Dodge pickups up until about 2000. There were 3 different ratio selections available.

The 3500/ 3550 has been available in several different vehicles from Dodge and Jeep (up to 1/2 ton Dodge Ram) since the late 90's. It is a close ratio 5 speed. It is rated for up to 7200 GVW and 300 lb/ft torque.

04-20-2005, 09:50 AM	#1
72Custom/10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8	72 custom/10 5 speed conversion i have a chance to buy a 5 speed transmission out of 80's V8 camaro. i would love the final gear ratio of that transmission to put in my Custom/10. it has a 350 with a 4bbl, intake, cam, and headers. i think the T5 transmission will give me much more speed and gas mileage. i'm wondering if the original 3 speed and the 5 speed are the same size. if anyone has already done this conversion, let me know how u did it and what it took to get it done please.

04-21-2005, 05:36 AM	#8
HugrOrang71 Bite me, import boy Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Eagle Point, Oregon Posts: 102	The NV 3500 and 4500 have removeable bellhousings. Will allow you to retain a mechanical type clutch linkage. The 4500 is a heavy duty low geared transmission that was first available in early 90's Chev and Dodge pickups up until about 2000. There were 3 different ratio selections available. The 3500/ 3550 has been available in several different vehicles from Dodge and Jeep (up to 1/2 ton Dodge Ram) since the late 90's. It is a close ratio 5 speed. It is rated for up to 7200 GVW and 300 lb/ft torque. __________________ Jason '71 C-10 Deluxe-under construction '69 C20, 396,T400-donor truck, '65 C10 project "Facts are meaningless, You can use facts to prove anything that's even remotely true."

04-20-2005, 03:07 PM	#2
Aubigmac Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 13	I did this conversion on my 72 a few years ago. it bolts up fine. I believe I even used the same bellhousing. The bigest problem was the clutch. The T5 input shaft splines are at the very tip of the shaft. None of the factory clutches would let the input slide through it far enough to engage the pilot bushing. I wound up having to have a custom clutch made that offset the splines towards the flywheel. Problem was the only pieces that would work were light duty car junk and I broke two clutches. Thing that killed the whole deal was when the transmission broke. I was very easy on this tranny the whole time I ran it cause I knew it wasn't made to hold up to a truck that heavy. When it broke I was just casually shifting from 1st to 2nd and it came apart.

04-20-2005, 07:26 PM	#3
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Yep, the T-5 is not a strong tranny. There's a reason they were never bolted to anything bigger than a 305. There is tranny mount issues since the camaro one is mounted at an angle Maybe shifter location problems maybe speedo cable verses electric problems

04-20-2005, 09:13 PM	#4
72Custom/10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8	what other 5 speeds were made to do this conversion?

04-20-2005, 09:58 PM	#5
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Full size pick ups...nv-something or another (nv3500 maybe?) Fairly strong tranny. i'm sure some one who knows that tranny will chime in, I don't know specifics, but there's a few ppl on here running them. I just noticed that you just joined... Welcome to the board from central ohio, where you located at in the world?

04-20-2005, 10:14 PM	#6
72Custom/10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8	i'm in south carolina, dead center of the state

04-20-2005, 10:21 PM	#7
72Custom/10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 8	i've looked at an nv3500 on ebay before, the thing that discouraged me from it is the permanent bell housing. i was wondering if the linkage clutch that my truck has would work on the hydraulic clutch. i am assuming that the nv3500 is set up for a hydraulic clutch. this transmission came in the 80 and 90's 1500/2500's right?



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