5.3L w/ manual transmission - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**LEEVON** · 03-26-2010, 01:06 AM

I love driving manual transmissions but I know jack about them. My '50 has a 3 speed on the column but I would only run that with the original 216 as a show piece. That's not in the plan.

What is in the plan is a 5.3L that is collecting dust in my garage. I want to mate it with a 4 or 5 speed transmission. I think it would be fun and unique plus I want something that can drive anywhere. After a little research, it seems that pretty much any transmission can be made to work with the right bellhousing, clutch/flywheel and throwout bearing assembly.

I don't want to spend a fortune on this, it's not a street rod so the T56, TKO and other higher end transmissions are out. I have thought about these:

99+ NV3500 (came with 4.8L's)
98- NV3500 abundant
70's or 80's 4 speed OD truck trans
Jeep AX1500
close ratio Muncie 4 speed?

I will find a rear end ratio that is best suited to the trans, not opposed at all to running a 4 speed with 1:1 final drive if it's cheap and available. Anybody done something like this or thought about it?

Dan Bowles · 03-26-2010, 05:50 AM

Not running a 5.3L but a 327 and using an '88 NV3500. SO far, so good. Hardest part was the bracket for the clutch...because I had the hole in the wrong spot so the bracket we built had to be rebuilt...because I'm an idiot.

**LEEVON** · 03-26-2010, 10:20 AM

Dan, do you have any pics of that? I'm thinking about the lclutch inkage and where the shifter comes up...

Well I found a local guy with what he says is a 5 speed from a '98 3/4 ton 2wd for a very reasonable cost. I'm going to look tomorrow, any idea if this could be NV4500 or?

Schwinn68 · 03-26-2010, 11:29 AM

I'm planning on putting in a nv3500 out of a 91 chevy into my truck. The one you're going to look at is probably a nv4500. My 350 is a pretty mild build so I'm not worried about the nv3500 holding up in my truck.

03-26-2010, 01:06 AM	#1
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	5.3L w/ manual transmission I love driving manual transmissions but I know jack about them. My '50 has a 3 speed on the column but I would only run that with the original 216 as a show piece. That's not in the plan. What is in the plan is a 5.3L that is collecting dust in my garage. I want to mate it with a 4 or 5 speed transmission. I think it would be fun and unique plus I want something that can drive anywhere. After a little research, it seems that pretty much any transmission can be made to work with the right bellhousing, clutch/flywheel and throwout bearing assembly. I don't want to spend a fortune on this, it's not a street rod so the T56, TKO and other higher end transmissions are out. I have thought about these: 99+ NV3500 (came with 4.8L's) 98- NV3500 abundant 70's or 80's 4 speed OD truck trans Jeep AX1500 close ratio Muncie 4 speed? I will find a rear end ratio that is best suited to the trans, not opposed at all to running a 4 speed with 1:1 final drive if it's cheap and available. Anybody done something like this or thought about it? __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids Last edited by LEEVON; 03-26-2010 at 01:08 AM.

03-26-2010, 05:50 AM	#2
Dan Bowles AD Addict Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Blissfield, MI Posts: 822	Re: 5.3L w/ manual transmission Not running a 5.3L but a 327 and using an '88 NV3500. SO far, so good. Hardest part was the bracket for the clutch...because I had the hole in the wrong spot so the bracket we built had to be rebuilt...because I'm an idiot.

03-26-2010, 10:20 AM	#3
LEEVON Moderator Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Ozark, MO Posts: 4,888	Re: 5.3L w/ manual transmission Dan, do you have any pics of that? I'm thinking about the lclutch inkage and where the shifter comes up... Well I found a local guy with what he says is a 5 speed from a '98 3/4 ton 2wd for a very reasonable cost. I'm going to look tomorrow, any idea if this could be NV4500 or? __________________ '20 Silverado Trail Boss ~ '17 Tahoe ~ '79 K15 Sierra Grande ~ '76 Blazer 2wd ~ '71 Cheyenne swb ~ '55 Pontiac Safari ~'50 3100 bagged ~ '80 Wife ~ Late model kids Last edited by LEEVON; 03-26-2010 at 10:21 AM.

03-26-2010, 11:29 AM	#4
Schwinn68 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Minooka IL Posts: 191	Re: 5.3L w/ manual transmission I'm planning on putting in a nv3500 out of a 91 chevy into my truck. The one you're going to look at is probably a nv4500. My 350 is a pretty mild build so I'm not worried about the nv3500 holding up in my truck. __________________ Ben _____________________________________ 1971 Chevy shortbed 350/4-speed sold 2005 Chevy Duramax EC/4x4 Local 597 Pipefitters certified TIG MIG and stick welder

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