NV3500/LQ4 combo???
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Joined: Mar 2011
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From: waverly, ohio
NV3500/LQ4 combo??? I've been wanting to put a manual trans in my caprice for some time. I won't have the means for a t56, so I thought about a NV3500. F2B makes a adapter bracket to put f-body pedals in a b-body. This is new territory for me so any help would be appreciated. Was a NV3500 factory behind any LS motors? If so what years? Would the hydraulic line for a f-body be adaptable to the NV3500?
Save up for another year and just wait for a deal on a T56 or other aftermarket O/D trans.
The NV3500 can easily be put behind a LQ4,but is slow shifting,won't fit your car without a lot of tunnel mods and will not last if you drive harder than a 90 year old grandmother would.
The NV3500 can easily be put behind a LQ4,but is slow shifting,won't fit your car without a lot of tunnel mods and will not last if you drive harder than a 90 year old grandmother would.
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Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 40
Likes: 5
I have a 2003 Silverado 1500 that came stock with a LR4 4.8L and a NV3500.
This trans was offered up until 2006. The hydraulic line quick connect is on the
master cylinder, whereas on the F-body it is on the slave. Rockauto is a good
place to research parts.
The NV3500 is at the limit with the 4.8L's torque. I agree with the previous
comment that it wouldn't last long behind a LQ4.
The GM Synchromesh fluid specified for this trans doesn't give enough protection
to the bearings, I use a 67/33 mix of Amsoil MTF(5w30)/MTG(75w90).
I already had to replace this trans once, if I had to do it again I would put in a
Tremec TR3450, which currently is installed in trucks for the Mexican market,
and is the trans that GM would have used had they continued to offer a
manual trans in the 1500's after 2006. This is technically an import item, and
available only through Rockland Standard Gear.
Edit: After using my truck to haul 1000 lbs for 60 miles at highway speeds, the
trans temperature was above a safe range with the Amsoil, so I replaced it with a
50/50 mix of Redline MT90/MTL, and the trans temp is lower under load as a result.
This trans was offered up until 2006. The hydraulic line quick connect is on the
master cylinder, whereas on the F-body it is on the slave. Rockauto is a good
place to research parts.
The NV3500 is at the limit with the 4.8L's torque. I agree with the previous
comment that it wouldn't last long behind a LQ4.
The GM Synchromesh fluid specified for this trans doesn't give enough protection
to the bearings, I use a 67/33 mix of Amsoil MTF(5w30)/MTG(75w90).
I already had to replace this trans once, if I had to do it again I would put in a
Tremec TR3450, which currently is installed in trucks for the Mexican market,
and is the trans that GM would have used had they continued to offer a
manual trans in the 1500's after 2006. This is technically an import item, and
available only through Rockland Standard Gear.
Edit: After using my truck to haul 1000 lbs for 60 miles at highway speeds, the
trans temperature was above a safe range with the Amsoil, so I replaced it with a
50/50 mix of Redline MT90/MTL, and the trans temp is lower under load as a result.
Last edited by 88bruce; Jun 4, 2016 at 10:26 AM. Reason: Edit: Replace Amsoil trans fluid with Redline.
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
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From: Monroe,NY
Alot of people say they won't last but i had one behind a 383 with 450hp/450tq and i would beat on it all the time with no problems. The 2 things bad is the low first gear and you can't power shift 2 to 3 or 3 to 4 but you can power shift 1 to 2. I am sure if you put sticky tires on and goto the track it would probably break. I have a tremec tr3450 from rockland stadard gear behind my 5.3 in a 1992 chevy pickup 2wd. I will be swapping out the 5.3 for a 450 hp lq4 in the near future. The 3450 1st gear isn't as low as the nv3500 but still low and you can only powershift 1 to 2. The tranny is real smooth otherwise.
