Well, what do you guys think I should do for my tranny?

My truck currently has an old SM465 standard transmission in it. That is a 3 speed tranny, with a granny gear. I really like standards, and personally don't trust autos very much, any truck I've had with an auto has self destructed in very little time...

Also means that my truck is already set up with a hydro clutch setup, with all the pedals, the standard tranny reverse lights etc.

I've already bought an NV4500 I plan to drop into my truck instead of the SM465, so I'll have a 5 speed standard with overdrive. I also bought the proper transfercase needed to bolt onto the back of the NV4500, which will provide the correct VSS signal the PCM needs, and also drops on the proper side of the truck.

However, its proven to be a real challenge to bolt the NV4500 up to the 5.3L. I've got a few ideas of how I may be able to get around most of the problems with the recessed flywheel / pilot bearing, but I am concerned about how I'll start the thing, as suddenly the starter will be too short as well.

So, that brings me to consider putting a 4l80e into my truck instead... It has the 32 spline output shaft, and adapter I need to bolt my NP241 t-case one, and is fairly reasonably beefy too. However, it has a lot of parasitic losses, and I'm still not a fan of autos regardless... I can probally get it reasonably cheap, but it will still cost me a fair bit...

Do I hold out and figure out the starter issue with the flywheel, or do I stab it in with an auto?

BTW, 4l60es are out of the question, my truck is frequently used to haul water, and up to 8 quads on a 18 foot flatdeck trailer. I'll burn it up real quick...