help 1996 chevy c1500 5speed tranny is broke!!

[Ben Alden]

hello i have a 1996 chevy c1500 short box 2 wheel drive i recently pulled the 4.3 and put in a 5.7 vortec but my nv3500 manual transmission broke. a friend took it out and dumped the clutch and broke the transmission it wouldnt dhift outta 1st. any way he broke something in the transmission. so my question is what manual transmissions can i swap it out for since ive heard the nv3500 doesnt hold up to the 5.7? i have heard the nv4500 is decent but do they make those in 2wd? and what other trans will work?

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

my question is what manual transmissions can i swap it out? i have heard the nv4500 is decent but do they make those in 2wd?

The NV4500 was offered in the GMT400 so that upgrade path is straight forward and likely the least expensive.

Consider replacing the clutch in the process… in fact it might be required, e.g., if the trans input shafts differ.

Whether the driveshaft can be reused as-is, perhaps others here will comment.

 

[packer0440]

As long as you get the 96-up version of the NV4500 it shouldn't be a complicated swap (yes 2wd is available). Also be sure to get one that has the correct output (probably a slip yoke if short bed) otherwise a different driveshaft will be required. Even then the driveshaft yoke or length may have to be modified.

As said in previous comment a new clutch is a good idea.

If you decide to swap make sure you get the NV4500 fluid (NOT the same as the NV3500).

 

[1998_K1500_Sub]

If you decide to swap make sure you get the NV4500 fluid (NOT the same as the NV3500).

Yes, emphasis on this. Replace the NV4500 fluid and use the proper type, which is a different fluid from that used in the NV3500. See attached.

See the other attached, from the service manual, for the various GMT400 chassis / engine type / manual transmission combinations for 1998.