Trany swap

2verpsters · 10-05-2007, 10:25 AM

Been a while since I've been on. Have thought up another questionable project. Curious if it can be done or has been done. Have an 80 K10 with a 350 V8, T350 trans and 205 transfer case. Have a 94 1500 4x4 with the 4.3, NV3500 and 208 transfer case. Am keeping the 80, much better shape, stronger motor, etc. But, would like to switch the more modern 5sp into the older truck. Can it/has it been done. Bell housings the same? Would have to swap pedals and hang the hydraulic clutch set up in the old one. Is there an adapter plate to go from the NV3500 to the 205 case, want to keep the 205 if possible. However, could be talked into swapping matching motors and trany's if money or ease of swap becomes an issue. Really am looking for a "granny geared" with over drive manual for the old girl, the SM465 doesn't give me that. Has the low gear, but the other ratios are almost the same as the auto, final drive is the same. Let me know what everyone thinks.

75K30 · 10-05-2007, 01:14 PM

Here are the guys that will have what you are looking for.
http://72.20.96.178/commerce/ccc1003-gm-fullsize.htm

You will need to know which input shaft the 205 has. There are three different ones available. The 3500 is not a very common case to throw a 205 behind, but it can be done.
Now as far as an opinion on what to install. I would stay with the V8, and stay away from the 4.3. For the sake of this swap, it has little value for this application. Now you could sell it, and make some extra scratch to help pay for the adapters and such.
Even though the TH350 and the SM465 have the same final drive, the 465 will turn a slightly lower rpm on the highway, since the converter in the auto will have some degree of slippage.
The NV4500 is the most desireable since it is both underdriven, and has a crazy low first gear. Also this thing does not take up too much space.
You do know that you will also have a bit of driveline work ahead of you? This is probably the most expensive part of this type of modification.

2verpsters · 10-05-2007, 02:37 PM

Yes, drivelines will create a bit of extra work and cash outlay. Since that would be the case whether I kept the 205 or stayed with the mated NV4500/208, I figured I'd stick with the bullet proof 205 if possible and financially feasible. Thanks for the thread, as that will give me an idea as to whether this is a pipe dream or someething I want to tackle this winter in the garage. I figured that I would sell the auto trans and the 94 truck as either a project in the making or as seperate pieces all together to off set the cost of modifying the 80.

75K30 · 10-05-2007, 03:56 PM

Good thoughts. Looks like you have everything under control. You r choice of cases is a good one. By all means use it if you have it. I am confident that your manual transmission will work just fine. S-10 guys are doing this swap all of the time.
You should have very few issues with this swap.

10-05-2007, 10:25 AM	#1
2verpsters Full Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baldwinsville, NY (Upstate) Posts: 23	Trany swap Been a while since I've been on. Have thought up another questionable project. Curious if it can be done or has been done. Have an 80 K10 with a 350 V8, T350 trans and 205 transfer case. Have a 94 1500 4x4 with the 4.3, NV3500 and 208 transfer case. Am keeping the 80, much better shape, stronger motor, etc. But, would like to switch the more modern 5sp into the older truck. Can it/has it been done. Bell housings the same? Would have to swap pedals and hang the hydraulic clutch set up in the old one. Is there an adapter plate to go from the NV3500 to the 205 case, want to keep the 205 if possible. However, could be talked into swapping matching motors and trany's if money or ease of swap becomes an issue. Really am looking for a "granny geared" with over drive manual for the old girl, the SM465 doesn't give me that. Has the low gear, but the other ratios are almost the same as the auto, final drive is the same. Let me know what everyone thinks.

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10-05-2007, 01:14 PM	#2
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	Here are the guys that will have what you are looking for. http://72.20.96.178/commerce/ccc1003-gm-fullsize.htm You will need to know which input shaft the 205 has. There are three different ones available. The 3500 is not a very common case to throw a 205 behind, but it can be done. Now as far as an opinion on what to install. I would stay with the V8, and stay away from the 4.3. For the sake of this swap, it has little value for this application. Now you could sell it, and make some extra scratch to help pay for the adapters and such. Even though the TH350 and the SM465 have the same final drive, the 465 will turn a slightly lower rpm on the highway, since the converter in the auto will have some degree of slippage. The NV4500 is the most desireable since it is both underdriven, and has a crazy low first gear. Also this thing does not take up too much space. You do know that you will also have a bit of driveline work ahead of you? This is probably the most expensive part of this type of modification.

10-05-2007, 02:37 PM	#3
2verpsters Full Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Baldwinsville, NY (Upstate) Posts: 23	Yes, drivelines will create a bit of extra work and cash outlay. Since that would be the case whether I kept the 205 or stayed with the mated NV4500/208, I figured I'd stick with the bullet proof 205 if possible and financially feasible. Thanks for the thread, as that will give me an idea as to whether this is a pipe dream or someething I want to tackle this winter in the garage. I figured that I would sell the auto trans and the 94 truck as either a project in the making or as seperate pieces all together to off set the cost of modifying the 80.

10-05-2007, 03:56 PM	#4
75K30 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 2,992	Good thoughts. Looks like you have everything under control. You r choice of cases is a good one. By all means use it if you have it. I am confident that your manual transmission will work just fine. S-10 guys are doing this swap all of the time. You should have very few issues with this swap.