NV4500 in a Big Block

[robreil]

I am figuring out what kind of core I wish to use for a project. At this time I have decided that I think I want a big block 396/402 and a 5 speed NV4500 if possible.

I have searched the forum and net and not really found any adapters for this situation.

My end goal is a daily driver for Atlantas 70-80mph normal speeds but able to run in down town traffic with a load if need be. Based on this what drivetrain solution do you all feel is best for the range of options listed. Decent gas mileage is a concern as well. Not that I expect to get 20 but I dont expect to get 9 either.

Any suggestions?

Once I have this drive line figured out its time to shop for a restoreable victim.

Robert in Atlanta.

[robreil]

I found this.. Would it work? Dodge NV4500 to GM 5.125 Bellhousing Adapter Plate

I am new to this motor and trans and this will be my first automotive restoration. Have done a handful of motorcycles.

[robreil]

Just called NV4500.com and they have NO solution for a bigblock chevy and an NV. Open to all ideas...

[snj8198]

is this going into a 2 or 4 wheel drive? either way this shouldnt be an issue. call Advance Adapters. you need to decide if you want to run a mechanical clutch or convert to hydraulic. they have both bellhousings that will bolt right up and allow you to run any clutch you prefer. -steve

[robreil]

Originally Posted by snj8198

is this going into a 2 or 4 wheel drive? either way this shouldnt be an issue. call Advance Adapters. you need to decide if you want to run a mechanical clutch or convert to hydraulic. they have both bellhousings that will bolt right up and allow you to run any clutch you prefer. -steve

I have not yet purchased a vehicle. I am planning the project in order to budget and search for the right specimen. I would like to have a 4WD but honestly would never be using the 4WD.

If I have to do a hyd clutch then so be it. I only wish it to be as economical as possible. I will choose a vehicle based on its ease of conversion.

Can you provide a link to the exact product that will work and what will be needed or what it will fit?

[raycow]

I have used that plate and it works as advertised. It fits between the bellhousing and the transmission, so what you have on the front side of the bellhousing shouldn't make any difference (unless you have an LSx).

My swap did not involve a BB, but the BB does not use a special bellhousing. It is exactly the same as a SB. If you have a 68-up bellhousing on the truck now, it will work. If not, that's what you will need.

If Advance says it won't work, will they tell you WHY it won't work?

Ray

[GMCBubba]

well, i'm no expert, but i thought the sbc and bbc bellhousings were the same. so the adapter plate for dodge nv4500 to sbc bellhousing *should* work

(please don't make any purchases based on MY recommendation)

[GMCBubba]

raycow, you answered while i was trying to formulate a response. glad to know you've done the swap. sending you a PM

[snj8198]

I have used that plate and it works as advertised. It fits between the bellhousing and the transmission,

How much was this adapter? depending on price it may be cheaper to just buy the bellhousing. I bought my nv4500 as a complete kit but i broke the individual costs down a few years back and the bell was $200. If the adapter is close to this I think it would be better to just purchase the bellhousing rather than having additional components.

The same goes for the transfer case adapter. robreil was unsure if he wanted a 4x4 but if chosen, rather than paying the high cost for a tc adapter, a guy could eliminate the adapter and female coupler (which is a weak link) and bolt a round pattern 205 directly to the tailshaft. The only thing necessary here would be a 32 spline input gear for the tc to match the trans output shaft.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by snj8198

How much was this adapter? depending on price it may be cheaper to just buy the bellhousing. I bought my nv4500 as a complete kit but i broke the individual costs down a few years back and the bell was $200. If the adapter is close to this I think it would be better to just purchase the bellhousing rather than having additional components.

The same goes for the transfer case adapter. robreil was unsure if he wanted a 4x4 but if chosen, rather than paying the high cost for a tc adapter, a guy could eliminate the adapter and female coupler (which is a weak link) and bolt a round pattern 205 directly to the tailshaft. The only thing necessary here would be a 32 spline input gear for the tc to match the trans output shaft.

I bought my adapter from Advance and I believe it was about $275, but I have since found out there are other vendors who resell the Advance parts for less. A stock NV4500 bell would have been a lot cheaper than the adaptor because I could have gotten a used one, but I didn't want it. My plan was to keep the stock truck bell so I wouldn't have to mess with the mounts or clutch linkage. That's why I went with the Dodge transmission rather than GM.

This was a 2WD truck, so I don't know what would have been involved in adapting a T/C to the Dodge transmission.

Ray

[snj8198]

how thick is the adapter? did it move the trans back far enough to have to trim the shifter hole?

[raycow]

The adapter is about an inch thick, but the shifter on the NV4500 is farther back than on the SM420 I was replacing. The total difference was about 3" so I just cut a new hole for the shifter.

Ray

[robreil]

Originally Posted by raycow

I have used that plate and it works as advertised. It fits between the bellhousing and the transmission, so what you have on the front side of the bellhousing shouldn't make any difference (unless you have an LSx).

Ray

LSx? Sorry, Im new in this game.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by robreil

LSx? Sorry, Im new in this game.

These are the aluminum block engines like LS1, LS2, etc. Their crank flange to bellhousing face distance is greater than earlier engines, which causes a problem when trying to use older bellhousings or transmissions on them.

Ray

[robreil]

Originally Posted by raycow

These are the aluminum block engines like LS1, LS2, etc. Their crank flange to bellhousing face distance is greater than earlier engines, which causes a problem when trying to use older bellhousings or transmissions on them.

Ray

I didnt know they made them. What years/size are these engines? I assume that they are something I should stay away from so I need to know what to look for.

[raycow]

Originally Posted by robreil

I didnt know they made them. What years/size are these engines? I assume that they are something I should stay away from so I need to know what to look for.

They started mid 90s, but I am no expert on these so you will need to get the exact info from someone who knows more about them. However, there is no danger of mixing them up as long as you can look at the engine. These are aluminum and have deep blocks which extend below the crank centerline like old Ford engines.

Ray

[robreil]

Oh so as long as my core has an original engine its all good. Nice to know. Thanks.

[stich626]

how about a 383(350 block/400 crank) sbc

[robreil]

Originally Posted by stich626

how about a 383(350 block/400 crank) sbc

Well that would be nice. Its just a 350 that has been loved... However I do not want something that I have to go into the motor for a while.

My main goal is to make it happy at 70-80mph w/o straining. Thats why I was thinking of the BBC.