Manual Trans LS Swap Questions

[skylark]

He's had drag radials on it and 1/4d it a few times so it can handle hard launches

...There's always that "one guy"...

I'm not going to deny that there are a few that somehow live. There was a guy, I believe on performancetrucks, that had one behind an 8.1 that managed to live. Those stories are rare. The majority didn't get sprinkled with holy water.

 

[Boston88]

Glad I have one of the ones that did get "sprinkled". LQ9 w/ headers and a tune with NO issues, and I'm not a gentle driver

Later NV3500s will work fine, My truck had one out of a 94 2500 when I strarted working on it, I don't know where the 88 tranny went

 

[KI4UJO]

I'd consider an NV3500 based off everyone's responses. I'm not going to be taking this down a dragstrip. From what I have it ready, it is a much smoother shifting transmission,correct? Externally, they look like a getrag box to me (a lot of the BMW stuff I deal with uses them). Anything specific I need to look for in finding one other than a 4WD box?

 

[skylark]

I'd consider an NV3500 based off everyone's responses. I'm not going to be taking this down a dragstrip. From what I have it ready, it is a much smoother shifting transmission,correct? Externally, they look like a getrag box to me (a lot of the BMW stuff I deal with uses them). Anything specific I need to look for in finding one other than a 4WD box?

It definitely shifts smoother than a 4500. I have a 3500 in my S10 and one in a 94 K1500. My only complaint is that they are a bit noisy. Not bad but just enough to be noticed. Both have Hurst / Core shifters and in my opinion the stock shifter was garbage on both.

 

[Spookers]

I'd consider an NV3500 based off everyone's responses. I'm not going to be taking this down a dragstrip. From what I have it ready, it is a much smoother shifting transmission,correct? Externally, they look like a getrag box to me (a lot of the BMW stuff I deal with uses them). Anything specific I need to look for in finding one other than a 4WD box?

Seeing as you are going with a 5.3 I'd try finding one off a 4.8(1999+) but if you can only find older trans. you'll need to use adapted flywheel which as mentioned earlier, a Sachs 1050 will do the trick as it went on 6.0l with nv4500 from the factory

 

[Jeremy Blain]

I'm in the middle of a 6.0 and nv4500 swap on my 95 k1500 short bed so far its bin a direct fit for me

 

[JCribb]

I'm not going to deny that there are a few that somehow live. Those stories are rare. The majority didn't get sprinkled with holy water.

I have not had the holy water luck either, because I killed two with a mild built 355, after grenading the original with 280k (so 3 total) before I swapped in the dump truck nv4500.

I have an nv3500 again, this time with a tired 4.3, and considering the 5.3 route.

 

[thatclappedsilverado]

Curious how you guys absolutely destroy the 3500s mine has 180k and a lot of clutch dumps and banging gears behind a 305, 2 350s and a built aluminum head 355. It’s always had Atleast 33s on it and I’ve never had an issue with it no noise nothing.