Anyone know the best 5 speed manual for a sbc 350?

[blue64c20]

I have a 64 c20 and I have a built 350 to put in it, and I dont want to use a T5 because I know it wont handle the power, do any of yall know any good 5 speeds for this project? thanks

[blackedoutharley]

Richmond!

[blue64c20]

Thatd be sweet...forgot to say im on a cheap budget lol, I was wondering about the NV4500s, but i havnt seen one put in a 60-66 so idk if it would work

[brokenspoke]

If your on a budget.......T-5

[gearheads78]

I was very happy with the TKO600 I put in my last project.

[blue64c20]

I was thinking about the t5 but i have herd that it wont handle more than about 300pound ft of trq, Ive also herd that i couldnt run the bench seat because of where the shifter location will be,but thats just what i have herd. Id love to pick up a t56 but they are upwards of $1k lol

[jocko]

budget and handling a stout 350 are mutually exclusive...

Concur T5 not an option if you stand on it a bunch. BUT, any trans can handle any hp depending on how you drive it... Problem is folks tend to use the hp if they have it! T5 will work with a truck bench if it has an S10 tailshaft for fwd shifter position. Will not work with Camaro tailshaft - but tails can be swapped. You'd want at least a World Class T5 (mostly in F-bodies, but a few S10s had them)

Recommend scour craigslist for a TKO 500 (or 600) - but it's probably still more than you want to pay. In which case you may want to go with the some of the stock (stronger) options like the NV4500 - but I THINK that will require a hyd clutch setup - someone else can probably confirm - so figure that into your budget (and frustration....) when bouncing it off the TKO.

If you should decide on the T5 because you have calm driving habits, here's a link with some info. Not including for the content - but for the links in post #5. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=480437
Good luck!

[LEEVON]

NV3500's came behind 5.7L's. I had one go for 200K no issues whatsoever except one clutch because my sister learned to drive. The gear ratios are for trucks and they don't handle a bunch of HP but I see them all the time for $300-400 on craigslist. NV4500's are huge, heavy and pricey.

[blue64c20]

Sounds good about the nv3500s ill have to look that up, i just dont wanna spend more than $1000 on a trans for this, and i would just put a 700r4 in it...but i love driving a stick shift to much to do that lol, ill also look at the world class T5, ill just have to be careful on how i drive it if i get a T5 haha

[mikie 1954]

The nv3500 have a built in bellhousing and require a hydraulic throughout. The nv4500 does not have a built in bell and you can get adapters to mount them to a 350 using a stock clutch. They were used in chevy and dodges so it depends on what one you get as to witch adapter is needed.NV3500 is about $300-400 but you will need the hydraulics and clutch-NV4500 is $1000 or more unless you get lucky plus adapter.

[Captainfab]

The NV3500's don't require a hydraulic throwout bearing, just a hydraulicly actuated clutch. Just a FYI, the NV3500's are also rated at 300 ftlbs, but as already mentioned, they were installed behind 350's from the factory.

I don't remember the torque rating on the NV4500's but it is enough to hold up behind a moderately built big block. However, they are a 'truck' trans, so they aren't going to shift like a car trans.

[mcfarlnd]

The nv4500's are stouter but are pretty expensive. Not to mention the nut on the shaft tends to back off rendering the trans useless there are kits to fix this but, the trans has to be pulled completely apart. If you get an NV3500 get a later model due to them being weaker before 1997. They used them on the 4.3 an 5.7 all the way up to 1999 then when the 350 went away they placed it behind the 4.8 LS based motor. As far as bell housing goes you don't have to have an adapter because the bolt pattern never changed
on all the motors throughout out the years (minus the top mounting bolt on the LS motor). I picked up an NV3500 off graigslist for 75.00 needs seals but no shaft problems and shifts great. Have seen multiple boosted ls motors run this trans with no issues BUT depends on how often you lay into it. Hope this helps.
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[Scot_Douglas]

Novak adapters also claims the Aisin AX-15 is a strong trans - I wanted to go this route, but finding a 2WD AX-15 proved daunting. A $75 T-5 is in mine...

[blue64c20]

I know you can get the AX 15s out of the 2 wheel drive cherokees, but im not sure if it would handle the power of a 350, btw how is your T5 working?

[Scot_Douglas]

Originally Posted by blue64c20

I know you can get the AX 15s out of the 2 wheel drive cherokees, but im not sure if it would handle the power of a 350, btw how is your T5 working?

The same AX15 was used in the Toyota Supra twin-turbo, too.

Trans is working AWESOME! I think I have 0.5 mile on it in the truck. I hope to be driving it again starting Friday.

[blue64c20]

Oh i didnt know they put the AX 15 in the supra also, i just know they are a good swap in jeeps and stuff, Im scared if i put a T5 in mine ill tear it up especially running about 400pdfttq in it, and a heavy right foot lol

[biohazardbill]

Another thing to consider is just because you have alot of power dont mean your drive train will actually see it all... unless your truck actually hooks up torque dont matter.

[chevy_mike]

I just completed installing a AX15 into my '65 using the Novak adapter. Really happy with the gear spacing and the adapter fit perfectly.

If money is not an issue, I would put in a Tremec TKO600 without question. Had one in my '69 Camaro and it rocked!

I was trying to keep the cost down so I went with the AX15 option as I didn't like the T5 option.

[blue64c20]

I wonder if i should just throw a muncie m20 under there haha

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by blue64c20

I wonder if i should just throw a muncie m20 under there haha

That's what I am looking to do in mine. Still a little up in the air about the whole shifter thing. Already looked at a hydraulic clutch conversion to make things a little easier.

[jocko]

Originally Posted by blue64c20

I wonder if i should just throw a muncie m20 under there haha

Well, that depends on what you want to do with it. If I recall, your reason for wanting a manual was that you like to row your own. IF you spend much time on the highway, the o/d is worth it. Muncies aren't cheap either...

If you are going to trot around town and seldom cruise at higher speeds - and happen to have a muncie lying around - go for it. Keep in mind shifter placement isn't ideal with a muncie (as it is in a T5 S10, for example) but I think it can be accomplished with a crooked stick.

Personally, I think you'd be happier with a 5-speed.

One additional comment - someone mentioned the RS4/5/600 by Keisler. I really really wanted get the RS400 (4/5/600 is the torque rating). Tried and tried to work with those guys, but they were never responsive, never called back, email replies took weeks. I was recently at the L.A. Roadster show and stopped to talk to the co-owner of TED's rod shop - you may recognize their name from the show "chop, cut, rebuild" - TED's is the shop (from Riverside I think) that built that absolutely gorgeous 40 Merc. It was at the LA Roadster show and I asked him a bit about the transmission setup - it has a TKO in it. I mentioned I was interested in the Keisler RS400 but couldn't get a coherent estimate from Keisler. He mentioned that he heard that they had kinda dropped off the grid and that there were some issues with the trans. I also read that eithert the main (or tail) casing was still in the final stages of design - so the RS's they were selling were 1/2 stock TKO. Anyway, I DO NOT recommend Keisler - based only on my experience with them. I really wanted that RS400 and was gonna shell out the bucks for it, but the problems I had dealing with them are the main reason I ended up going down the T5 road. Am glad I did as I have a bit of control over my own destiny and am no longer sitting around waiting for someone to reply... But then again, my T5 plan was based on the Hamilton Intakes adapter - another company on my personal turd list. So ended up making an adapter plate locally and things are now going along smoothly. Bottom line is that I was amazed that companies out there seemed to not even be interested at me trying to throw money at them - and I relearned the lesson "if you want it done right, do it yourself". Not to mention the fact that it's more satisfying that way anyway.

Ok, I'm done.

[pdxhall]

There's also Keisler's RS400, 500, and 600 that they will build to fit your shifter mount location. They are t-45s that they build special. Pretty spendy, though, but if money isn't and option....

[blue64c20]

I was just thinking the muncie route because a buddy of mine can get me one for cheap and everything, but im also thinking about the T5 i just dont wanna spend more than about 1k on a tranny for this truck

[jimmydean]

Originally Posted by blue64c20

I was just thinking the muncie route because a buddy of mine can get me one for cheap and everything, but im also thinking about the T5 i just dont wanna spend more than about 1k on a tranny for this truck

I have one on the floor of the shop (needs a rebuild) but I might want the 5 speed. I can't seem to locate an NV3500 around here except for LKQ and they want $1800.

[chevy_mike]

My AX15 swap was done to keep it low buck compared to other options. Here's the cost run down,

Novak Adapter (great company BTW) $350
Used AX15 from a guy swapping his 2WD Cherokee to 4WD $300
Driveshaft mods, new u-joints and carrier bearing $315
Built custom trans mount $Free had steel already

So I was under $1000 no including a new clutch and flywheel resurface, which I needed to do regardless of trans. Mine was shot.