Manual transmission is shot

[themyersman]

So I've been neglecting my transmission off for too long now. I currently have a NV3500 in my silverado. I'm going to need a new transmission really soon.. I have read everywhere about my options. I have a 2000, 4.8l, z71...4x4, 4.10 gears, 285 tires, nv3500. I have been wanting to drop an lq4 in the truck and I think now might be the perfect time. After everything I read I think the nv4500 is my best candidate so far, unless I should just leave it and replace the nv3500.

So Ill take any suggestions on transmissions, and I was wondering about the nv4500 swap. As far as the input shaft, length, transfer case, bell housing. How much of this project would be bolt on and what parts would be necessary to get the nv4500 in there. Thanks.

[GasGuzzler]

Neither is a performance trans by any means. What are your intentions for the truck? The 4500 has a granny 1st. Both have massively long throws. With expense as no object I'd look to the TKO600 or the T56 but neither are cheap. If all you're doing is towing and slow speed off roading then the 4500 would be OK. Otherwise, have someone qualified go through the 3500 and keep it.

[themyersman]

Thanks for post. I'm not going to be racing it at the strip or anything, but then again I'm not going to be pulling much other than occasionally. I was looking for more power and a little more go to the truck, so within the year if not now, I'm going to buy a lq4 and also looking into a 5.3. I looked into the TKO's and T56 but I would have to divorce the tranny from what I read and heard that is a bad idea. I like to off road here and there nothing to crazy. I was thinking the nv4500 but I don't know anyone personally that has it so wasn't sure how well it drove or if people liked it. It doesn't seem like there are too many options for the manual 4x4 setup. I know quite a few people in other threads in the same position just swapped an auto in the truck but I would really love to keep it manual.

[zebra]

T-56 + 4x4 = bad idea. i did some research on it back in the fall because i was thinking of doing that when i did a motor swap. i only found one case where a guy got it to work right, & even then, he had to do some expensive custom fabrication.

i'm going 5.3 for the very reason of not breaking my trans (too quickly anyway). i hear they can take more abuse than they get credit for. Hurst also makes... well made a STS for our trucks. (they discontinued it a few months ago, but they can still be found.)

if you do go with the 6.0/NV4500, i'd imagine it's easiest to just yank the whole motor/trans/t-case setup from a 2500 & make them fit a 1/2 ton frame. you could even raise your rear gears to something around 3.23 & still have more pick-up in 1st & 2nd, 3rd would be about like your current 3rd with a 3.90, 4th & 5th would be overdriven for better mileage. that's all mathematical theory, at least

best of luck in your project! i despise automatics, too, so i'd like to know what happens when you get it all figured out!

[zebra]

while you had the transmission out, did you notice how many splines are on your input shaft with the nv3500?

i ask because i just found out today that i can't 'make' the 4.3 clutch work on the 5.3 flywheel. there's two little alignment studs that prevent the pressure plate from mounting flush... so... i get to spend an extra $250 for the 5.3 clutch kit (they'll let me trade in my 4.3 stuff for full credit - it's brand new) the guy said something about thinking the sbc/nv3500 has a different input shaft than the ls/nv3500