th350 to sm465 swap?

[cory d]

who has driven both 350 adn 465? i may have an opportunity to trade my 350 for a 465 and i was wondering how different it feels with the lower gears. my truck was a 3 speed manual collum shift originally and i would get the rest of the parts off the other truck. looks liek a big jump from 1st to 2nd

turbo hydramatic 350
1st - 2.48:1
2nd - 1.48:1
3rd - 1.00:1
Reverse - 2.07:1

synchro mesh 465
low - 6.55:1
1st - 3.58:1
2nd - 1.70:1
3rd- 1.00:1
Reverse - 6.09:1

[csb#356]

The gear ratios feel like they're very far apart, it makes it worse if you have taller gears. I have to rev out 1st quite a ways before shifting to second, but I have 3.08 gears in the back and 33 inch tires. Are you talking the shift from low to first or first to second?

[jame]

Honestly I think you will be happier with the th350. Do not get me wrong I have a 465 and in a 3/4 ton 4x4 it is perfect. But in your application I think you will be disappointed. L is just not a used gear unless pulling weight or wheeling. 1/2/3 are fine for street driving but you can not shift this trans very fast and the shifter will move about 1 mile doing it. The th350 and 465 have the same finial ratio 1:1 so no advantage there. if you want a stick there are better "performance" options.

[cory d]

the shift from first to second. i have 2.73 gears on 29" tires

[76stepsidechevy]

The gears are far apart and the trans doesn't really like to go into first unless you're going like 2 mph. Makes it kind of a pita to drive in traffic and you have no real passing gear on the highway. Also as mentioned you kinda have to wind out the motor before you shift otherwise your lugging it in the next gear. But, it's indestructable it's really more of a work tranny than anything else. I daily drive mine though and it does the job, I'd like to swap in an nv4500 some day I guess but its not cheap for a 4wd truck.

[86c20]

i have 3 sm465 and i daily drive them all but i will say that you can fast shift them it takes time to get the feel for it but i can shift it faster then most guys can a nv4500 and the shift from first to second is a jump but the rear end gears i have 3.42 410 4.56 make it not so bad. i can be in second with no pro at 7mph.normal shift is at 15 then 25-35 as for passing i have no problem with the 3.42 i go down the highway at 70 with no problem at all and still pedle left for passing. i run stock tires also. if you are having proplems shifting one of these trans change the fluid in it as cold is when they are a pain in the butt. only time i cant shift mine down in to first is A. under 35 degress and B over 15 mph. i love them they will take a beating as the one with the 4.56 gears is in a wrecker with over 350,000 miles with big blocks and small blocks and some vary bad drivers thinking they can drive. the only thing that i dont like is the lack of od but there are aux trans that go in front of them that will over drive all gears when you want. but this is just my .02. later, mike

[makman1297]

your 4th gear will be slightly better than the TH350 since most TH350 dont have a lock up converter.

[irishman999]

The shifter throw on mine is so enormous, with my back against the seat in a normal driving position I have to lean forward to hit second gear. Might not bother everyone but it drives me insane. The cold thing mentioned earlier is 100% true with mine also, if its cold expect a fight. I am not really fond of the whining sound they make either. I've actually been tossing around the idea of switching mine to auto.....