5-speed tranny
 

Can anyone recommend a good 5 speed tranny for a SB Chevy? What year would work for my 67?

thanks
Vance

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

A good 5 speed tranny would be either the Richmond or Tremec TKO. However, those run about 3-4 grand for the whole git-up. If you're budget is more along the lines of "Junkyard Chic", then a T5 out of a mid 90's F-body (Camaro/Firebird) is a decent unit and so is the NV4500 out of a 93-98 Chevy/GMC Pickup. Another J/Y option, but a bit pricier would be the T56 6-speed out of a '99- up Z/28 Camaro or '03 up GTO. For the scratch it would take to do the conversion- you may want to consider a Gear Vendors Overdrive unit which would essentially give you 8 speeds with a standard 4 speed tranny.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

I used a Tremec TKO-600 in my '69 Camaro I built a few years back. Awesome tranny, will handle 600 ft. lbs. of input torque and shifted so smooth. If I ever build another manual tranny car/truck, it will be what I will go with again.

The T5's are not the best ones to go with unless you can find the World Class version. They were stronger and can handle mild V8 abuse. For the money, hassles and problems fitting in most vehicles, I would not recommend a T56. Do you really need a double overdrive tranny? Most don't and these things are BIG. Plan on cutting the floor to fit it.

Funny thing that I never understood, a Ford T5 that was used in tons of Mustangs, are much stronger then any of the GM T5's. Never understood why GM cheaped out on that one.

My .02 worth.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

NV4500!!! its a great all around tranny in a truck and its bulletproof!

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

On a budget, an NV3500 out of a late model chev truck --1/2 ton or S10 with a 4.3 will bolt up. Under non racing applications, this transmission works well. the bellhousing and trans are one unit and the clutch is hydrolic which can be interesting to set up but the end result can be really nice for around $500.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

Very nice guys, my little 283 is not pushing too much HP, but the current tranny and rear end combo is way to slow, i can take off in 3rd gear. Not a big fan of auto's so i figured a 5 speed would get me that freeway cruising gear i am looking for. Thanks again ill start looking.
vance

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

Hey wassup guys? Do yall think this a better option than a 700r4? whats the installation cost of that late model s-10 tranny?

I may consider this option!

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

Depends on what you consider better. If you like to row the gears, then no a 700R4 would not be better. If you don't like to do anything but steer, then a 7004R would be better. :lol::smoke:

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

I have a T-5 out of a mid 8o's S-10 in my 58 behind a 350. I figure if I don't hot rod it it will hold up. They are plentiful & cheap. & fairly easy to swap.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

What about the clutch? is it hydraulic? Was it hard to install (tranny)?

Thanks
Vance

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

The hydralic clutch is a pain to set up.The "Go-To" guy is Blue 71.He has one set up in a unique way and might share how he did it.I saw his and I can honestly say he did it the most efficient way I could imagine.I think he said he was getting over 20 MPG in that truck with a V-8.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

The T-5 just replaces your trans. You use the same bell houseing & clutch linkage. You have to change the clutch disc. because the splines are different.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

Only bullet proof behind lower torque motors. I have one in my Dodge Cummins.Comepletely stock I'll add, no power boosters on mine.
I have had to rebuild it twice so far. Eats fifth gear up. I have a new mainshaft for mine to put in it, to make it bulletproof.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

So it sounds to me that a T-5 is the way to go if your not a mechanic, might be the way to go for me!

vance

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

If this thread goes long enough some of the anti T-5 guys will show up. I have heard for along time that th World class T-5's are the only ones worth the time, so then you run into availability issues. NV 4500's are still expensive. I have just put an NV3500 in mine and so far I am pleased. Alot of folks will brag that the NV3500 is a better unit and more available. I have seen torque specs. as high as 310ft/lbs. I got mine for $300 with everything needed for the change. It was an easy swap. I used the factory crossmember and the driveshaft was the perfect length from a shortbed Silverado. You have to get an older model flywheel because of the center bore on the crankshaft is different. Expense wise it dosen't get any cheaper.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

anything that would hold up to 380hp-430tq sbc?

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

^for cheap? under $2000?

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

T5's are cheap and if you get one from a pre 87 4 cylinder s10 it will use man..speedo.....They are however weak very weak, i have one for my truck but im lookin around before i drop it in, I have talked to several people they use them and one guy said he has one behind a 355 and that he has snapped 1 at the track but he claims that normal driving he has had no problems

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

well from what everyone has said i think the t-5 sounds great, i am way to old for racing and i just want to cruise at 75 on the freeway, my old 67 probably will never burn a tire unless one of the boys gets it after i pass!!! I am going to start looking for a tranny

vance

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

The T-5 and the NV3500 are more or less the same as far as durability, except the 3500 came in a full size truck with a v-8 and the T-5 from an s-10 was behind a V6. There are T-56's from Camaro that are strong, but not too cheap. I think the NV3500 is the best way to go and the hydraulic clutch is too bad to set up, just a bit of labor, and the hydro is easier to depress than the manual clutch linkage. I have an NV3500 and it will go into my 2wd Blazer, and I also have an NV4500 that'll go behind my 496. As for the NV4500 in the dodge, I though (pretty sure) the dodges ran Gertrag 5-speeds in the 90's and they are fairly weak, but they are not NV4500's??

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

Dodge did use a Getrag tranny behind the Cummins, but only before 1994. 94 and up 5 speeds behind a cummins in a dodge are nv4500. Note this is not the same Getrag 5 speed as the one used in half ton chevy pickups.

I believe the NV4500 behind the Cummins has been known to lose 5th, and I think there is a fix for whatever it is (been a while since I was looking at NV4500 stuff).

If you do go with a NV4500, the early years in Chevy trucks had a lower first gear, I'm wanting to say 6.34:1, which is almost as low as the SM465's granny 1st. Newer ones, and all the Dodge ones, have a higher 1st.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

OK, I knew my 90 had the gertrag and they were junk, but did not know the NV 4500 was put in there. I have one, but not sure of it's lineage other than it is a NV4500 out of a 2wd? I'll have to do some research as I have no need for a granny 1st. Thanks!

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

Check summit, you can get a Tremec TKO for about 1800. It just depends on what you currently have as to how much more expensive it gets beyond the price of the trans.

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

After reading all the replies this has gotten my attention, being that I am putting a 383 stroker in my truck and being manual shift already I might consider putting a 6 speed rather than making it automatic...Thanks fellows!!!!

Re: 5-speed tranny
 

If you do go with a NV4500, the early years in Chevy trucks had a lower first gear, I'm wanting to say 6.34:1, which is almost as low as the SM465's granny 1st. Newer ones, and all the Dodge ones, have a higher 1st.[/QUOTE]

Ya my tranny now has a low 1st and a low 2nd and a low 3rd, would love to have a high geared truck to just cruise, i am looking for a t-5 i think but i am doing my homework. alot of info on this little thread.

vance