swapping 4 speed for a 5 speed

[midnightblue]

i know next to nothing about transmissions, and what fits what. i currently have a 91 chevy 454. its the 2500 and it had a 4 speed in it. i would like to have an over drive gear and a 5 speed would be nice. its turning about 3200 to do 75 mph. could i just find a 5 speed out of a newer chev like a 97 and just drop it right in?

 

[Tinbender59]

i know next to nothing about transmissions, and what fits what. i currently have a 91 chevy 454. its the 2500 and it had a 4 speed in it. i would like to have an over drive gear and a 5 speed would be nice. its turning about 3200 to do 75 mph. could i just find a 5 speed out of a newer chev like a 97 and just drop it right in?

well pilgrim it aint that easy, but it is! first off what you want is a NV4500, that is basicly a cast iron 4 speed with an aluminum OD unit built on the back. Caution it uses "special" gear lube available only at GM and Dodge. the length will be longer, so a new drive shaft will be needed or shortn yours. I do not know the particulars of the clutch workings, but if yours is a hydraulic unit it should work??? other than that Git-R-Done P.S. stay away from the NV3500 it is a POS all alum case, and it cannot take the abuse of a 4.3l v6

 

[Gravemaker]

well pilgrim it aint that easy, but it is! first off what you want is a NV4500, that is basicly a cast iron 4 speed with an aluminum OD unit built on the back. Caution it uses "special" gear lube available only at GM and Dodge. the length will be longer, so a new drive shaft will be needed or shortn yours. I do not know the particulars of the clutch workings, but if yours is a hydraulic unit it should work??? other than that Git-R-Done P.S. stay away from the NV3500 it is a POS all alum case, and it cannot take the abuse of a 4.3l v6

i currently have a NV3500 in my 1989 1500 2wd. its behind a 1965 396 BBC i installed and put a centerforce 2 clutch between it and it has taken many 5000rpm drops just fine. rear end is not happy though!lol

 

[1993GMCSierra]

I'd have to disagree also. The NV3500 that was in my old GMC survived being thrashed daily as a farm truck for nearly 2 decades, and 255K. It did WAY more than a transmission (and truck) should ever be asked to do, and there were never any issues. The fluid was still original at 255K when it was sold also.