LQ4 with NV3500

[TypeSL2]

Let me start this off by saying, I am fully confident this trans will work fine for my application. This thread is not to debate whether or not this trans is going to explode.

Now, I have searched everywhere and am having an incredibly difficult time finding my answer. I am trying to use the external slave cylinder style transmission behind my LQ4 and am having clearance issues. The slave is hitting the oil pan. Has anyone successfully used this transmission behind a Gen III? What oil pan, slave, and transmission were used? Thanks and I hope this thread will help someone else in the future.

James

[woodwright]

Hopefully Roostboy102 will weigh in. I know he did this swap. I'm in the middle of it too, but I haven't got to the slave yet.

[tfi rcing]

I did a 5.3,used a 4.8 flywheel and clutch with a NV3500 originally behind a 4.3 but it had the internal slave/TO combo,can your trans be changed to the other style internal slave?

[clinebarger]

It's going to be hard not to talk about this transmissions short comings while giving advise on what will work for you.

First, What year is your existing NV3500? If it's Pre-'93....It not actually a NV3500, It's a 5LM60, Even weaker than a NV3500 (Bent shift rails).

Post '93 NV3500's can have the front half of the case changed to a later half ('96 & up IIRC). Then you will find out it needs a rebuild if you have not already.

Buy a post '96* NV3500 with an internal slave, Avoid used units. Standard Gear in Fort Worth TX is a good source for reman units.

[TypeSL2]

Originally Posted by clinebarger

It's going to be hard not to talk about this transmissions short comings while giving advise on what will work for you.

First, What year is your existing NV3500? If it's Pre-'93....It not actually a NV3500, It's a 5LM60, Even weaker than a NV3500 (Bent shift rails).

Post '93 NV3500's can have the front half of the case changed to a later half ('96 & up IIRC). Then you will find out it needs a rebuild if you have not already.

Buy a post '96* NV3500 with an internal slave, Avoid used units. Standard Gear in Fort Worth TX is a good source for reman units.

Please don't take this as being rude, but this is exactly what I was trying to avoid. I know what everyone's opinion is on these transmissions and I know what to expect when using this one. Thanks for your input.

I already have the transmission, I am unsure on the exact year of the transmission. I only know that it is an external slave style. I have now unsuccessfully tried to use a slave cylinder from a '92 C1500, '95 C1500, and an '88 C1500. They all bolt up to the transmission, but the first 2 that I tried seem to be too long and put the throwout bearing on the end of the input shaft sleeve. The last one was almost the ticket because it has a shorter body, but the flange is too big and gets pinched between the oil pan and transmission. I am going to upload some pictures of this in a few. I gotta send them to my photobucket.

James

[TypeSL2]

Originally Posted by tfi rcing

I did a 5.3,used a 4.8 flywheel and clutch with a NV3500 originally behind a 4.3 but it had the internal slave/TO combo,can your trans be changed to the other style internal slave?

Thanks for your input, but I have not been able to find anyone that has successfully converted the external style to internal style. I am unsure about the input shaft sleeve size and whether or not they are different, but I know for sure there is no place for the internal slave cylinder to bolt into. Also the internal slave style transmissions had a hole in the top left side of the bellhousing to allow the line to pass through. This hole is not present on my transmission. I am uploading the pictures now.

James

[TypeSL2]

This is the '92 C1500.


Hits oil pan. This is F-Body oil pan. It hits the truck pan on the oil level boss.


The gap left between engine and trans with said '92


Here is how the throwout bearing sits on the input shaft sleeve. Looks to me like it sits too far out. I imagine the throwout bearing needs to be a little further back so that the clutch is not always being depressed.


This is showing that I don't think there is anywhere for the internal slave style to bolt to the transmission. So I don't think the conversion is possible.


How I had the slave bolted up. I assume the bleeder is supposed to be on top so that the air bubbles have a way to escape.


This is the '88. It is hitting the pan in the exact same spot, although it does appear to be a touch shorter than the '92.


And here is the other main problem that I am having with both the '88 and the '95. The cast style flange is so thick that it does not fit between the engine and the transmission. You can also see in this picture that I have ground down the very corner of the oil pan to allow a slight bit more clearance. I doubt there is any more clearancing that can be done before I will create an oil leak.


Any thoughts from the people that have successfully done this swap? Maybe some pictures to help us out a little? Thanks again.

James

[TexasEdition]

I used the LS1 Camaro oil pan with mine. Everything fits and works perfect.

[TypeSL2]

Originally Posted by TexasEdition

I used the LS1 Camaro oil pan with mine. Everything fits and works perfect.

You got any pics? I wanna see if the slaves are different. The oil pan in those pictures is the LS1 Camaro pan. Also, what year trans and space cylinder are you using? Is it all Silverado stuff

James

[Roostboy102]

Mine was out of a 91 and has external slave... no clearance issues... It came as a package deal when I bought the trans but I would venture to guess it's stock. I don't have much faith in the transmission but it got me through the swap! When it goes I'll put a brand new one in

[TypeSL2]

Do you know what your transmission came out of? I wonder if the S10 trans is different?

James

[woodwright]

Can you take a picture of your whole tranny? Mines a 93 and I don't think I'll have any clearance issues either.

[TypeSL2]

This is the before and after cleanup, but should give you a pretty good idea of what I am working with. I think this trans may have come from an S10, going off the part number on the side. The only problem with that idea is that the first set of hydros I purchased were for a '92 S10 and the hydros were too small. They didn't even bolt up to the bell housing. The part number is 8679099. The first forum that popped up when I searched for it was an S10 forum. Hence my believing this trans may have been an S10 trans. Should that even matter? The bell housing bolt pattern matches up with the LS. The only difference is the usual 1 bolt hole that doesn't get used near the top middle.



James

[woodwright]

My tranny looks a little different. Mostly just in the tail section. Probably just different years. I'll post some pics tonight.

[TypeSL2]

Thanks man. I look forward to seeing them. Also, my trans is a 2wd. The 4wd transmissions have a different tailshaft for the transfer case to bolt to.

James

[woodwright]

Heres mine. I think its around a 93.




Mine is a 2wd too. It seems like yours is slimmer. Looks like the slave mount is tucked up closer. You mentioned yours was out of an S10? I wonder if they are more compact. Hope these help. You might have to run an internal slave. I know there are a few from Summit or Speedway. You might even be able to retrofit the stock one from a later 3500.

[TypeSL2]

Yea, it definitely looks like mine may be a different model than what everyone else is using. There must be a difference between S10 and C1500 bell housings? I didn't find any place that could tell me with a certainty, but by looking at how nicely your hydros fit next to the oil pan and how mine is tucked in behind it, I am definitely starting to see the a difference.

I am going to try to locate another transmission. If that goes well, then this trans will be of no use to me. If I can't find another transmission for a decent price, then I will be finding a way to make this one work. Thanks everyone for the help.

If anyone else has any more pictures they would like to post up, along with information on year and model of the vehicle they came out of, that would make this post very useful to more people in the future.

James

[cagodinez]

Were you able to use the same transmission?

[elf w/capital T]

I did a 4.8l and nv3500 swap just last weekend, need to cut off the stock plastic oil level part that sticks out... 4.8l flywheel, 12 GM clutch from novak-adapter, and a pilot bushing PN:690035 I had to buy a pack of 5, only needed one so if you need one, ill ship!!

[elf w/capital T]

Remove the oil level connector because the slave cylinder is in the way. Once removed bam! Slid right in!

[cagodinez]

I think I'm using the wrong slave cylinder

[cagodinez]

It is still hitting even after grinding the oil pan and replacing the oil sensor with a flush plug.

[elf w/capital T]

Looks a little bit bigger than the one i have... i bought the
Dorman CC649028 Clutch Master and Slave Cylinder Assembly

[cagodinez]

Thank you Elf but, no luck. That was the first slave I tried and it wouldn't bolt up to the transmission. I'm thinking there has to be a difference between the s10 and full size truck nv3500. I'm going to start looking for newer nv3500 with the internal slave.

[elf w/capital T]

Ahhh i forgot yeah there IS a different slave cyl. Sorry about that. Hey man just take it all as lesson learned and post the outcome for us!