Best tran for a 454?

[DaBurner87]

I got a 2WD 1994 C3500 with the 7.4L 454. Im not sure what tran is in it, but Im sure its stock. It has L, 1, 2, 3, OD, and R. I was wondering what tran could be a simple swap that does 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, R?


I was told 3rd gear and Reverse were "Rough" but Ive only driven the truck for 20 minutes, and didny notice any problems, but its not exactly road worth to test further. Still, Im used to a 12345R pattern from my Toyota and would love to have the same setup. Just looking for options that are easy to swap. Im not a Chevy guy, so I'm not familiar with common "go to" options for this engine. Also....what are possible automatic options?

 

[L31MaxExpress]

I got a 2WD 1994 C3500 with the 7.4L 454. Im not sure what tran is in it, but Im sure its stock. It has L, 1, 2, 3, OD, and R. I was wondering what tran could be a simple swap that does 1, 2, 3, 4 ,5, R?


I was told 3rd gear and Reverse were "Rough" but Ive only driven the truck for 20 minutes, and didny notice any problems, but its not exactly road worth to test further. Still, Im used to a 12345R pattern from my Toyota and would love to have the same setup. Just looking for options that are easy to swap. Im not a Chevy guy, so I'm not familiar with common "go to" options for this engine. Also....what are possible automatic options?

4L80E

 

[yevgenievich]

If manual, sounds like nv4500. It is a 5 speed with low 1st gear for pulling heavy loads. Good transmission to keep.

 

[sweetk30]

Stick = nv4500 you have

Auto = 4L80-e

There both dam strong .

Find a GOOD trans shop that knows nv4500 and have it gone threw and be good to go .

 

[Erik the Awful]

The low is too low to use as first gear? Put highway gears in the differential or install taller tires.

 

[DaBurner87]

Im just not familiar with this truck much being a c3500 its heavy duty but kinda want automatic. Should I always start in L and go to 1st ? Or only when towing? Ive been starting in 1st every time. If towing should I go from L to 2?

 

[DaBurner87]

I would honestly prefer auto with this truck bit I couldn't pass it up. I could always trade in the future.

 

[yevgenievich]

If towing heavy, start in low then 1-2 etc...
For normal driving start in 1
4l80e would be a transmission to swap in if want auto. (Or 4l85e)

 

[RichLo]

You have a 1994 which is the last year of the granny gear low. You can swap in an NV4500 from a 1995 truck to get the higher 1st gear. Still pretty low but its not as useless as the granny gear from the 1994 and before trans.

A 1995 is still the external slave cylinder as what you have and will be a direct swap for you. If you get a 1996 or newer nv4500 you will have the internal slave and you'll need a new master cylinder and clutch for that internal slave.

 

[454cid]

Stick = nv4500 you have

Auto = 4L80-e

There both dam strong .

Find a GOOD trans shop that knows nv4500 and have it gone threw and be good to go .

It's my understanding that the original something or others that were made of carbon fiber are not available anymore and that brass are now used... and it will not shift the same after the rebuild. I wouldn't want my NV4500 gone through unless it was worn out. It also needs the fancy expensive lubricant.