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#1 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hendersonville, TN
Posts: 1,528
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Is the NV4500 a good street option?
I've been trying to read up on the NV4500. Seems like it would be a really nice tranny for a bigger truck, 3/4 or 1 ton. How about for a shortbed 1/2 ton to be driven not worked. I understand that they are bullet proof, but what about the ratios. Is it very street friendly?
I can get a '92 NV4500 out of a 1 ton truck for $300 with the bellhousing. It sounds like a good deal, but I'm not sure it's what I want in my truck. It looks like the ratios would be something like this: First Gear 6.34 Second Gear 3.44 Third Gear 1.71 Fourth Gear 1.00 Fifth Gear 0.73 Reverse 6.34 I don't think I want to keep my 3 speed, but I want to stay with the manual trans.
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BRENT ![]() -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half |
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#2 |
Gearhead and audio junkie
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: nunyah
Posts: 452
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
seems like a good tranny but 1st gear would be pretty unusable in a day to day situation. You'd have to skip 1st and just use 2nd to take off. reverse seems pretty low too so backing up might peel out or something haha but other wise the other gear ratios look pretty good
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#3 |
Registered User
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Location: Hendersonville, TN
Posts: 1,528
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
I guess I should add too that I have a 3.73 rear end.
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BRENT ![]() -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half |
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#4 |
Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 581
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
sounds like a SM465 with overdrive. granny gear first, but you could pull down a house with it lol. thats a real good price!
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"I'll Procrastinate Tomorrow" quote by LEEVON 71 K10 long fleet (sons truck) new 370hp 355, sm465 np205, 3.73's 33's 70 K20 long fleet 98 G3500 work van |
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#5 |
Senior Member
![]() Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Studio City, Calif.
Posts: 2,873
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
Even that second gear is pretty low. 2nd in my NP435 is 2.56-1 and using it to start out is just about right with 3.73 rear.
It looks too low to me to be useful unless you had a 3.07 rear or huge tires. Someone will chime in that actually has one.
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'69 GMC C2500 Custom Camper, 8 1/2' bed, New GM 350, NP 435 Close Ratio 4spd. Trans., 3.73 Dana-60 open.Camper and Trailer wiring, PS, PB, AC, tach , three gas tanks, stereo speakers, 2nd owner, Work-Truck supreme. |
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#6 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: OKC, OK
Posts: 2,365
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
overkill for your truck. You would be better off with a NV3500
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Mike Redpath |
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#7 |
Special Order
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Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
These transmissions are very streetable.That`s what the factory used in a zillion street trucks.It`s just like a granny 4spd w/overdrive.Except,they shift 10x smoother.You don`t normally use 1st,not supposed to.These typically came with 3.73s and 4.10s.My`92 K3500 has one with 4.10s and I`ve been enjoying it for 160,000 miles.I had one with 3.73s in a`95.I wouldn`t say they are bulletproof compaired to the old 4spds.But,still about as tough as you`ll find in an o/d.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 05-27-2009 at 05:19 AM. |
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#8 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Porter Ranch, CA
Posts: 978
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
Same as above, it's a great tranny, but in a 1/2 ton that won't be worked, you might be better off with a 5 or 6 speed sans the granny gear.
For me, I love the granny gear, especially for parking or crawling along in traffic that isn't moving. It's just a little easier on the ol' clutch. |
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#9 |
Registered User
![]() Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Hendersonville, TN
Posts: 1,528
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
One of the things that I really liked about it over some of the other 5 or 6 speed options is the placement of the shifter. I like that it is in a stock (or close to stock) location. Maybe I should be looking into the 3500 instead. The only problem there is if I ever want to really put some power in front of it. I've heard they can't handle a monster motor.
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BRENT ![]() -'68 Stepside Project -'98 Z71 Daily Driver -Enough extra parts to build another truck and a half |
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#10 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Porter Ranch, CA
Posts: 978
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
If you have access to the 4500 and can do the install, go for it. You'll be ahead of the game, strength-wise. And it will be a very drivable truck with the O/D 5th gear. Judging by your avatar, I'm guessing you'll be at around 2300 at 70 MPH. Now all you need is a $3000 Gear Vendors unit and you'll drop another 500 RPM and get 3000 MPG! HAHA
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#11 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: mineola texas
Posts: 71
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
Quote:
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__________________________________________ -1949 GMC 100 longbed -1972 chevy c/20 suburban -1982 chevy k-5 blazer |
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#12 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Porter Ranch, CA
Posts: 978
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
I haven't been able to burn out in granny gear. By the time you were to get it broken loose, the front end would come off the ground and you'd be at redline... I drove my truck today. Maybe I'll have to go out in the parking lot and give it a shot! I wonder how much a new clutch costs... LOL
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#13 |
Special Order
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Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
The 3500 will do.But,just think of the NV4500 like the old 4spd truck transmission.It went in any truck...a 250-powered Blazer or Short Stepside.It`s not like the transmission weighed them down or were too much transmission to turn.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#14 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: El Paso TX
Posts: 76
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
man the nv4500 was a FANTASTIC tranny in my brother's 93 Club cab Ram 150HD (5.9 Magnum crate replacement, with OEM fuel injection, and shaved heads). There it was paired with the 3.23 Open and 31" tall tires making first gear usable to about 5-10 mph, though a little jab n grab on the clutch to start in second was more common.
Unless you guys are rocking diesels, caddy bigblocks, or turbo power i don't think you will approach the limits of the trans. You MIGHT exceed the limits of your rear end in first gear though... ![]() My brother somehow managed to grenade the 3.23 OPEN diff, he frag'd the Carrier by splitting it in two circumferentially. Last edited by attack eagle; 05-27-2009 at 11:31 PM. |
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#15 |
Devil's in the Details
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southern Utah
Posts: 353
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
I drove my NV4500 equipped Blazer home today. I agree with some of the above, especially the reverse thing, but I'm not planning on moving at more than 7mph in reverse anyway. It just sounds odd to be at 5k rpm crawling into a parking space.
Skipping first on the street and go strait into second is standard practice. I don't need a granny first to break traction though, 2nd gear burnouts are just as good. You'll appreciate the 5th gear for highway cruising.
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'70 K10 Suburban - TBI 454, 4L80E, NP241C, Dana 60 & 44 - The 10+ Year Project Thread Datsun 240Z, 510 2 door and an old Honda motorcycle |
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#16 | |
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: mineola texas
Posts: 71
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
Quote:
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__________________________________________ -1949 GMC 100 longbed -1972 chevy c/20 suburban -1982 chevy k-5 blazer |
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#17 |
Texas Big Wig
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Mineola, Texas
Posts: 5,620
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
Scott you crack me up
![]() I have one in my 90 ext. cab SWB with a some what hot SBC (prolly around 400 HP) I liked it just fine, its great for towing & like said above crawling through parking lots And with the reverse being granny also, it makes it a dream to back up to a trailer & if you wanna back up fast, just punch it & throw it out of gear Now to the "bullet proof" part, I would say under most conditions its a great trans, but twisting 7k racing I screwed mine up ![]() ![]() And its definitely not a speed shifting trans ![]() As for the 3500, its a good trans to, just no dumping the clutch on it |
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#18 |
Registered User
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Porter Ranch, CA
Posts: 978
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
Punch it and throw it out of gear... Awesome! I have to try that! I wonder if I can get a Longhorn to do one of those sliding J turns like the stunt guys do! HAHA
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#19 |
Six in a row makes it go...
![]() Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Vacationland: Maine
Posts: 1,346
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
These guys have some info on it. It's worth reading the "mythology" sidebar:
http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/nv4500.htm
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67 C20 long step resto: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=342086 66 C10 long step build: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post3814790 CT to Alaska in a 67 C10: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=399224 “The height of sophistication is simplicity." - Clare Boothe Luce |
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#20 |
Special Order
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Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
All trucks the NV4500 came in are street trucks.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ |
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#21 |
Registered Mail
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 513
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
Ok, so I charted your gear ratio, and it works good if you have taller tires, I selected 29" tall tires and it seems to work ok, anything smaller and its not much use to you..
a lot of people think that a tall gear is always great for a hot street or racing application for our trucks, but I don't think so. I think lower gears are better for first gear, this way you use the engine to control your launch since these trucks break loose so easily, with a tall first gear its to easy for the truck to break loose then sit there spinning and spinning as first gear winds up to 60 mph. number are a little hard to see, but it shows what speed you'd be at when shifting at 5000rpm.. and the gears are spaced quite well actually.. I think it will work good for you.
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'67 chev 496, lwb to swb, bagged - pro street project |
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#22 |
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Cali Central Coast
Posts: 5,191
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
For me, the clutch and speedo requirements are a dealbreaker. I'm gonna stick with my SM 465.
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#23 |
Special Order
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Location: Mt Airy, MD
Posts: 85,859
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
I think you have it backwards.A tall gear would be a numerically lower ratio,such as 3.08s.Tall gears are hiway gears or what is refered to as high gearing.Many people get confused when you say high gears because they think of the higher number,which is actually a lower gear.So we say tall,as in people with long legs that cover more ground with one step.High/low gears refers to speed not ratio.Like on the gear shift knob...L is the highest ratio.
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"BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 06-12-2009 at 10:04 AM. |
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#24 |
Registered Mail
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 513
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
I also calculated that at 70mph your tach would be reading 2058rpm with that setup.. sounds like a decent cruising rpm to me!
then when you go to pass that hyundai in front of you and drop it into 4th you'll be at 3026rpm (which should be near the top of the torque curve). sounds quite streetable.
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'67 chev 496, lwb to swb, bagged - pro street project |
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#25 |
Registered Mail
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Alberta, Canada
Posts: 513
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Re: Is the NV4500 a good street option?
when I say low gears, I mean numerically high.. sorry if I confused anyone but I was talking about the transmission gears not the rear gears.. for example how the m21 4 speed tranny has a tall first gear (numerically low).
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'67 chev 496, lwb to swb, bagged - pro street project |
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