4 speed manual, to nv3500 swap

Elbow36 · 03-14-2009, 09:39 AM

Hey folks. I'm new to the site and I'm seeking some advise on a tranny swap. I have a 1989 Chevy K1500. It has a 4 speed manual bolted to a tbi 350. This is a standard cab with a 3" body lift. I want to swap out the 4 speed for a Getrag NV3500. The 4 speed dosen't have OD, it's more like a 3 speed w/a very low granny 1st gear, and it seems like its robbing a lot of power from the motor. I'm hoping someone has done this swap before and can help me out. From what i hear these trannys use the same transfer case, slave cylinder, and drive shafts. I don't think I want to do the swap if it's going to be a very involved one. If i have to change the clutch and flywheel, it's no biggie. Any info you folks might have would be greatly appreciated, Thanks a lot.
-Elliot

moparmuscle · 03-14-2009, 10:30 PM

Direct bolt in.

Elbow36 · 03-16-2009, 10:24 AM

Wow, that sounds too good to be true, lol. Can I use the same clutch, flywheel and starter too? I might get out of this easier than I anticipated.

moparmuscle · 03-16-2009, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elbow36

Wow, that sounds too good to be true, lol. Can I use the same clutch, flywheel and starter too? I might get out of this easier than I anticipated.

Same clutch, same flywheel, same slave, same starter. Easy bolt in. Assuming it came from a 4wd chevy.

Elbow36 · 03-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Awesome. Thanks a bunch. I'm going to try and track one of these down this weekend.

Elbow36 · 03-21-2009, 06:53 AM

No luck finding a tranny for the swap yet. Does anyone know how much torque these nv3500's can handle? I might be putting a built 350 in front of it in the near future.

Elbow36 · 03-22-2009, 07:51 AM

I was under the truck taking a look at things that may need replaced during the swap. I noticed how massive the output shaft on my transfer case is. Does any body know if i have to remove the torsion bars and torsion bar cross member to remove the transfer case and tranny?

moparmuscle · 03-22-2009, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elbow36

I was under the truck taking a look at things that may need replaced during the swap. I noticed how massive the output shaft on my transfer case is. Does any body know if i have to remove the torsion bars and torsion bar cross member to remove the transfer case and tranny?

No. Just remove the trans mount and the crossmember that it rests on.

Elbow36 · 03-22-2009, 02:07 PM

thanks mopar. I'm waiting to hear back from someone that has a nv3500 for sale. I'm definitely doing to do this swap soon. The knuckle head that had this truck before me changed the rear gear ratio to 2.73's and left the fronts at 3.42. Thank goodness he unplugged the transfer case and the actuator...So a rear end gear swap is next. With 3.42's and a .73 5th gear, I should see a 700rpm drop at highway speeds compared to the 2.73's and a 1.1 4th gear. I'm guessing it will boogie around alot better too.

silverChevy79 · 03-24-2009, 08:50 AM

is the NV3500 a 5 speed manual? im trying to find a way to put in a 5 speed in my 79. not to big on trannies.

03-14-2009, 09:39 AM	#1
Elbow36 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 23	4 speed manual, to nv3500 swap Hey folks. I'm new to the site and I'm seeking some advise on a tranny swap. I have a 1989 Chevy K1500. It has a 4 speed manual bolted to a tbi 350. This is a standard cab with a 3" body lift. I want to swap out the 4 speed for a Getrag NV3500. The 4 speed dosen't have OD, it's more like a 3 speed w/a very low granny 1st gear, and it seems like its robbing a lot of power from the motor. I'm hoping someone has done this swap before and can help me out. From what i hear these trannys use the same transfer case, slave cylinder, and drive shafts. I don't think I want to do the swap if it's going to be a very involved one. If i have to change the clutch and flywheel, it's no biggie. Any info you folks might have would be greatly appreciated, Thanks a lot. -Elliot

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03-14-2009, 10:30 PM	#2
moparmuscle Full Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Montana Posts: 48	Direct bolt in.

03-16-2009, 10:24 AM	#3
Elbow36 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 23	Wow, that sounds too good to be true, lol. Can I use the same clutch, flywheel and starter too? I might get out of this easier than I anticipated.

03-16-2009, 06:30 PM	#5
Elbow36 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 23	Awesome. Thanks a bunch. I'm going to try and track one of these down this weekend.

03-21-2009, 06:53 AM	#6
Elbow36 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 23	No luck finding a tranny for the swap yet. Does anyone know how much torque these nv3500's can handle? I might be putting a built 350 in front of it in the near future.

03-22-2009, 07:51 AM	#7
Elbow36 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 23	I was under the truck taking a look at things that may need replaced during the swap. I noticed how massive the output shaft on my transfer case is. Does any body know if i have to remove the torsion bars and torsion bar cross member to remove the transfer case and tranny?

03-22-2009, 02:07 PM	#9
Elbow36 Full Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 23	thanks mopar. I'm waiting to hear back from someone that has a nv3500 for sale. I'm definitely doing to do this swap soon. The knuckle head that had this truck before me changed the rear gear ratio to 2.73's and left the fronts at 3.42. Thank goodness he unplugged the transfer case and the actuator...So a rear end gear swap is next. With 3.42's and a .73 5th gear, I should see a 700rpm drop at highway speeds compared to the 2.73's and a 1.1 4th gear. I'm guessing it will boogie around alot better too.

03-24-2009, 08:50 AM	#10
silverChevy79 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Cody, Wyoming Posts: 78	is the NV3500 a 5 speed manual? im trying to find a way to put in a 5 speed in my 79. not to big on trannies.