Whats the best 5 speed to use?

[koolky]

In a few months I will be starting on my project truck, it'll have a 350 invader in it and i plan on running a 5 speed. Its kinda a budget build so i dont think i can blow too many $ on the 5 speed. I can get a T5 out of a 4.3L s10 for pretty cheap but ive heard that they are weak. Anyone got any ideas on what 5 speed I should run?

[koolky]

comon guys, i need input lol

[wheels67]

Sorry friend, all ive got is a turbo 400 so my girl can sit close...

cant comment i guess.

[davidh]

tremac 5 speed is the way to go but you'll spend $3500 when its all said and done.

[Dingfodgy]

Originally Posted by davidh

tremac 5 speed is the way to go but you'll spend $3500 when its all said and done.

The Tremec TKO kit is the shizznit....but the NV4500 is a quality unit as well. If you wanted a slush-box you could try to find a trashed 2003 or later Cadillac STS, SRX or XLR and kype the 5L50e tranny out of that. Or find yourself a wrecked '06 GTO or Vette and grab the Getrag 6-speed! Mind you- none of these options fall into the "low-budget" category.

[Palf70Step]

T5's are very weak and probably won't take much abuse with a V8 in front of it. You might try a 5 speed from a full sized GM truck. Look for one that has a V8 in front of it. Those behind the V6 will probably work Ok, but won't take alot of abuse. Also remember the 5 speed works with an electronic speedometer, so you'll need to change out your speedometer or get an adapter (not cheap) to convert it back to mechanical

[69rut]

Find a 5 speed from a 88-92 Camaro/Firebird. You are looking for a World Class (WC) unit. Most of the trannys I've seen have a metal ID tag on them whch can help determine if you got a WC. These transmissions also use ATF v gear oil. They only came behind V-8's and can take up 300 HP. Oh yeah, they will have like 20 spline input shaft.

Now take a S-10 unit and switch the tail housing. This will put the shifter where you want it. You will have to relocate the speedo gear, but with a small piece of shim and some epoxy cement you will be good to go.

I have done this and it is not so hard if you know how to take stuff apart. There is also pleanty of info on this swap on the net. I down loaded an exploded view with assembly instructions for the T-5. And Classic Truck magazine did a tail housing swap article last year.

[jkade]

Yell if you want a nv3500 from a full size chevy, I know where one is pretty cheap and shipping shouldn't be bad.

[grayw0lf]

"World Class" or not, I don't think the T5 will hold up. I killed one in my S-10 four banger.

[Ackattack]

I'd go with a T56 6 speed. They should be relatively easy to find. They put them behind LT1 corvettes and camaro/firebirds and LS1 camaro/firebird/GTO (the C5/C6 corvette has a rear mounted t56 transaxle that would be a pain to mess with)

The LT1 T56s have a unique clutch (can't think exactly what the differences are) so the LS1 T56 may be the best option.

[67ChevyRedneck]

NV4500 but they're hard to find and junkyards want a fortune for them! I found one in a wrecked 99 silverado with a 4.8L and the NV4500. I wanted it really bad!!!! It had about 80K on it and they wanted $1,200!!!!! (For just the tranny!) I found another place that had one and they wanted $900. Still to high for me at the time Now that I have the $$$ to do it, the truck already has a 700R4.

69rut's suggestion is good and shouldn't bee *too* expensive. Much cheaper than the NV4500's.

[Musclerodz]

For a 1/2T a NV3500 will be plenty and should be reasonbly priced.

Mike

[70rs/ss]

The Nv 3500 is a good choice, just keep the GM fluid in it cause they will self destruct if you don't, the next option is the NV4500 bullet proof truck trans can be a little spendy, T-56 is the best but it comes at a price$$$, what do you want, power wise and $$$ wise will determine what you use. If it came behind a V6 it'll die behind even a lame stock 350, keep it in mind, it may be cheaper, but once you pull it 2 or 3 times cause it keeps failing you cold've had a better (stronger) trans in and no issues.

[koolky]

Thanks guys, i was also looking at tremecs tr-4050 last night. it seems like a good 5 speed, and by looking at the picture i could easily find a bell housing, any ideas? I'll be running a pretty much stock 350, mabye add headers, cheap ignithion and mabye a swap-meet aluminium intake.

[454_72_4X4]

Really depends on what truck you're building and what you're gonna do with it.

First thing, there's no such thing as a T-5 behind a 4.3

5 speeds used behind 4.3's were the NV3500 or a renamed version of it. S-10 and 1/2 ton full size both used this same trans, although the S-10 version had a 20% overdrive and the fullsize version had a 30% overdrive. Also the fullsize version uses a TH400 size output spline. S-10 version used a TH350/700r4 spline. (27 spline I think?)

Not much difference in strength between the 2.
If you're nice they'll live for quite awhile. If not, well....

I'd choose a Tremec over the NV3500 anyday. Alot more $ though.

For a heavy duty truck, (ie 3/4 or 1 ton), or one ya want a lower 1st gear + overdrive the NV4500 is the ticket.

It just so happens a friend of mine has a NV3500 he'll sell and I might have a NV4500 to sell! LOL

[koolky]

so 454_72_4X4, the 4.3L v6 s10 never came with a T5, only the nv3500. and what do the nv4500 come out of?

[koolky]

So personaly i dont think the T5 or the NV3500 are woth it, people are saying they are weak, I need this trans for Driving and posibly towing car trailers and such. the NV4500 seams strong butt heavy and expensive. but id still like to know about this Tremec TR-4050, all i know is that it came in the 88 to 98 chevrolet 3500 (HD?) and they are definetly strong enough for what i need, but i need to know if i can bolt it to a 350... My thoughts are, and corect me if im wrong, if this TR-4050 came in the 3500 with a 454 vortec or 496 vortec, than shouldnt it bolt up? Any thoughs?

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by koolky

so 454_72_4X4, the 4.3L v6 s10 never came with a T5, only the nv3500. and what do the nv4500 come out of?

T5 came behind 2.8's and 2.5's and behind 305 V8's in Camaro/Firebird.

NV4500 came in 3/4 and 1 ton GM and Dodge trucks behind V8's and diesels.

Originally Posted by koolky

So personaly i dont think the T5 or the NV3500 are woth it, people are saying they are weak, I need this trans for Driving and posibly towing car trailers and such. the NV4500 seams strong butt heavy and expensive. but id still like to know about this Tremec TR-4050, all i know is that it came in the 88 to 98 chevrolet 3500 (HD?) and they are definetly strong enough for what i need, but i need to know if i can bolt it to a 350... My thoughts are, and corect me if im wrong, if this TR-4050 came in the 3500 with a 454 vortec or 496 vortec, than shouldnt it bolt up? Any thoughs?

I haven't heard of the TR-4050 myself but I'd think if it came behind 454 it should bolt up to a smallblock. I'm guessing the 496 has the same bolt pattern as the "normal" Chevy bellhousing pattern.
6.5 diesel and even the Duramax have the "normal" chevy bellhousing bolt pattern

The NV3500 will be fine for ocasional light towing use like you've mentioned I'd think.

Ya buildin a 1/2 ton or 3/4?

[koolky]

im building a 1/2 ton, but i plan on making it strong enough to tow and take a good load, so i definetly want a 5 speed manual and i still want to run my 5 lug brakes, so ill probalby leave my stock rear-end in it, mabye new gears and a detoir posi-trac. and i might use the 3/4 ton springs i got for the rear.

[454_72_4X4]

Originally Posted by koolky

im building a 1/2 ton, but i plan on making it strong enough to tow and take a good load, so i definetly want a 5 speed manual and i still want to run my 5 lug brakes, so ill probalby leave my stock rear-end in it, mabye new gears and a detoir posi-trac. and i might use the 3/4 ton springs i got for the rear.

Remove 1/2 ton from that equation and I'd say go for a NV4500.

But the 4500 will work in a 1/2 ton just as well as a 3/4 ton.

I have a 93 excab 2wd 1/2 with a 4l60e auto that's been acting strangly most of last summer. When it decides to die it'll probably get replaced with a NV4500.

My 72 will have a NV4500 someday too. Been slowly collecting parts for the last few years.

[Ol'Rover]

I like my 700R4... 4 speed with Over Drive....

[koolky]

I hate the 4l60e, went through 3 of them in our 1955 belair and a few of them were built up too. they were behind an LT1 .030 over, cam roller rockers, mabye 420 horses...

[koolky]

but back to 5 speeds, is it cheaper to buy a NV4500 or get a t5 or NV3500 and build it up a bit, and dose anyone make stronger parts for them?

[454_72_4X4]

The best "built" T5 won't hold a candle to a 4500.

I don't know of any stronger parts for a 3500.

[davidh]

they put t5's behind 305s. if you dont speed shift it or dump the clutch at 4500rpm you should be fine.