What are my options if I want a 5-speed?
02-25-2008, 02:00 PM
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What are my options if I want a 5-speed? I've been lurking for a while and must say that this site is an excellent resource for swappers.
I'm in the research stage of an LSX swap in my older 3-series BMW. I'm trying to come up with a formula that will allow for a tight budget but I'm not going to skimp and am willing to spend money where needed.
The car is small and light, setup for road racing and some auto-x. I know the common tranny is the t-56 but the tranny tunnel is very tight and I dont want the size or extra weight of the 6-speed. I think a 5-speed would be a great option for my car.
From my research it looks like the 4.8 silverado was available with a 5-speed. Is this the same NV3500 that was available in the V6 silverados and S10's? If so can I use S10 parts or do I need the flywheel/clutch from a 4.8 silverado?
I know that it isnt rated for much torque but if they put it in a heavy truck with 275hp I think it would be fine behind a mildly modded 5.3 in a 2400lb car with limited traction (I can only fit 245's)
I dont need double overdrive as I plan to run highish rear gears to help me put down power in lower gears.
What do you guys think? Should I consider a T-5 or does a junkyard NV3500 seem like my best option?
TIA
I'm in the research stage of an LSX swap in my older 3-series BMW. I'm trying to come up with a formula that will allow for a tight budget but I'm not going to skimp and am willing to spend money where needed.
The car is small and light, setup for road racing and some auto-x. I know the common tranny is the t-56 but the tranny tunnel is very tight and I dont want the size or extra weight of the 6-speed. I think a 5-speed would be a great option for my car.
From my research it looks like the 4.8 silverado was available with a 5-speed. Is this the same NV3500 that was available in the V6 silverados and S10's? If so can I use S10 parts or do I need the flywheel/clutch from a 4.8 silverado?
I know that it isnt rated for much torque but if they put it in a heavy truck with 275hp I think it would be fine behind a mildly modded 5.3 in a 2400lb car with limited traction (I can only fit 245's)
I dont need double overdrive as I plan to run highish rear gears to help me put down power in lower gears.
What do you guys think? Should I consider a T-5 or does a junkyard NV3500 seem like my best option?
TIA
Last edited by 2002maniac; 02-25-2008 at 02:11 PM.
. The T-5 isn't strong enough unless you go with some fairly expensive parts; it will work without them - the question is for how long?
02-25-2008, 04:21 PM
#5
I think the best option for you is a tremec tko.They are a good bit smaller and 20-25 lbs lighter than the t56 and they are rated at 500 ft.lbs of torque or if you need more a tko 600 ft.lb.They have 8 different shifter locations and overdrives from 0.64 to 0.82.
....RICHMOND.
02-25-2008, 11:41 PM
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I've owned S-10s w NV3500s, and even an 04 Silverado 4.8/NV3500 that I lowered and autocrossed.
DO NOT USE A TRUCK TRANS!!! I kinda doubt it is small trans tunnel wise...but I KNOW that the shift like...a truck...even w a hurst shifter. They just are not built to shift fast. You will not be happy.
Look into the tremecs IMHO.
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02-26-2008, 01:57 AM
#8
thanks Chris.
02-26-2008, 09:02 AM
#9
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Another option is a Richmond 5 speed. I have a friend with a Model A Ford with a big block Chevy and a Richmond 5 speed that works very well and survives the thrashing of a big block.
02-26-2008, 03:55 PM
#10
I am going to be running a TKO behind my LS2. The only thing that is not cool about the richmond is that 5th gear is not an overdrive. I have heard that richmond is coming out or has already come out with a 5 speed overdrive.
I ran the TKO500 behind my 454 Big block with no problems so my small LS2 will be nothing to the TKO.
Just my input.
I ran the TKO500 behind my 454 Big block with no problems so my small LS2 will be nothing to the TKO.
Just my input.
02-26-2008, 06:42 PM
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I would recommend the TKO 600 over the Richmond if you plan on doing much street driving. For explicitly road racing the richmond may have the edge because of its closer ratios. However I believe it doesn't have much of an overdrive. The TKO 600 is significantly cheaper but it is also a bit larger than the richmond.
02-27-2008, 01:50 AM
#12
I would recommend the TKO 600 over the Richmond if you plan on doing much street driving. For explicitly road racing the richmond may have the edge because of its closer ratios. However I believe it doesn't have much of an overdrive. The TKO 600 is significantly cheaper but it is also a bit larger than the richmond.
Chris.
02-27-2008, 04:14 PM
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tko600 behind my ls1 and I love it. Just make sure to get the "road race" one that has .82 overdrive. not going to be real cheap though. if you are on a budget squeezing the t56 in would be cheaper.
03-05-2008, 03:55 PM
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What bellhousing, clutch and flywheel are you using? My brother has a tko 600 behind a 355 in his el camino and wants to swap an ls1 in. would he be able to reuse the bell housing and clutch and just buy a different flywheel?
03-05-2008, 06:04 PM
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I am using a bellhousing made for the ls1 tko combo. I think you could use the old sbc just a couple of holes are missing. The bellhousing was around 300 I think. Standard chevy clutch. So he would need a flywheel. The big challenge is to retain mechanical linkage. I made a bracket that comes off the bellhousing to hold the pivot ball for the other side of the z-bar. Ls1 has no provision for the stud. Classic chevy five speed is who I dealt with and they have done a lot of tko's behind ls1's.
03-05-2008, 08:00 PM
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TKO is a great tranny, had a Tremec 3550 in a mustang I used to have, Tremecs are what the 5 liter guys swap to b/c the t-5 couldnt handle the power. I sold the car to a buddy and he has a 331 stroker and a TKO in it now with a SPEC stage 2 or 3 clutch in it. Its sweet!
03-05-2008, 10:55 PM
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short answer is YES. 'cept the clutch disc will have to be of the fine spline type. other than that, oh, and the "adapter " pilot bearing. I'm (was gonna) putting a 5.3 and a TKO 500 in my '66 Chevelle with a cast iron '57 Chevy bellhousing, the adapter bearing and a "adapter" flywheel. It all bolts up. The clutch linkage is a combo of '57 and Chevelle.
