5 Speed manual for a 350?

[DKrcr6]

I am going to put a 350 engine into my 89 4 banger. I want to hook up a five speed tranny to this that will withstand alot of power. Say 300 and higher horses worth. Now my question is I hear a NV3500 will work but is this strong enough? And I also here a t-5 tanny will work too. Which one should I go for or are there any other trannys that I can find used for rather cheap 400-900? Thank you very much.

[DKrcr6]

Also what will I need to do to get the tranny hooked up to my engine? What parts do I need? Cause I am not real familiar with this kinda of stuff, like what a torque convertor is or does. And a bell housing? thanks for the help.

[360hp350]

A quick crash course on trans parts:



The torque converter hooks to the flexplate(the big circle that the starter hits) on the back of the motor via 3 short bolts. Then the bellhousing is where the torque converter hides. The bellhousing is what you bolt to your motor via 6 or 8 bolts I forget. Hold it if you have a standard I dont think you have a torque converter. (right??) Lets start over the bellhousing houses your clutch assembly and fork and etc.. Then your trans goes through the bellhousing.

[DKrcr6]

What do you mean a quick crash course? Do you think neither one of those will hold up or what? Will either one of those trannys work good?

[Knanthrup]

Ok, i have a little backround on this subject. I as well am going with a 5 speed manual.



Here\'s some quick info for ya:

Both the NV3500 and T5 will hook up but, there are some details...



T5: The original T5 your truck came with or that came in the S10\'s can be adapted to fit a V8, but the truth is that it\'s a pain in the ass. It requires machine modifications to the shaft in two places. Both the shaft length and the surrounding layer need to be shortened. The pressureplate has to be ground down where the shaft goes in so it doesn\'t bottom out also. Another big point is that a seperate bell-housing must be purchased to bolt up to the V8. This can be purchased through advance adapters.



Now, the biggest drawback even after you get all this work done is that it won\'t hold the power for long because it\'s only rated for 200-220ft. lbs. of torque.



NV3500:

This, as far as I know, is probably the best option for simplicity. I have been told that It can be bolted directly to a V8 with no shaft modifications and it is the same length as the T5, or atleast pretty close so transmission crossmember mods are little to none. This tranny can be found in I beliebe \'90 or newer 4.3 S10\'s and another version of it in full sized chevy trucks, however, the full sized version takes a few mods because of a different breather tube location and length. It\'s rated at about 300 ft. lbs. of torque so it should hopefully hold under the power of a V8 atleast for a while.



Any knowledge past that I really do not know as I haven\'t purchased my NV3500 yet, but I will shortly and I will post any information I find. I would also appreciat eif any other experienced people would spread their knowledge on this topic, thanks.

[DKrcr6]

I think the T-5 is what is in the v8 camaros and firebirds and also 5.0 mustangs right? Are you sure its in my truck? Because dont you think if it can hold up to those it would hold up to a v8 s-10? but maybe the NV3500 would be best?

[Knanthrup]

The T5 on camaros and mustangs are completely different. The one the Camaro uses is much longer, the stick shift would come out almost behind the seat or beside the seat. It\'s also rated at I think 250 or 300 ft. lbs. There is some information about modifying the truck to use a Camaro T5, but it involves machining a new drive shaft and changing the transmission crossmember and of course cutting a new hole for the shifter.



In my opinion the NV3500 would be much smarter to go with. It\'s probably the easiest, and it\'s what I\'m going to use.

[Knanthrup]

By the way, if your truck came with a 5 speed then it is the T5, if it was a 4 speed then it was some other tranny which I\'m not sure the details but don\'t even bother trying.

[ZZ4Blazer]

There is a T5 from the 60 degree s-series motors,and there is a T5 that came in the F-bodies. You can use either, but both will require some mods.



The s-series T5 isn\'t all that strong, and with all the mods you have to do, its not worth the trouble in my opinion.



The camaro/firebird T5 will work, but it puts the stick way back, and you have to have buckets. It also causes problems when you want to run headers. Since, they run right into the slave cylinder on the tranny.



The NV transmissions will bolt right up. There are ones from the s-10\'s and ones from the fullsize trucks. The s-10 NV 5 speed is the same length as the 700R4 automcatic transmissions. Those only came behind the 4.3 in the s-series. They are all one peice, so you won\'t have to find/need a bellhousing with it. The 2 transmissions are the same strenth, and I think are rated more than the T5.



You can use the NV from a fullsize, but you will have to swap out the vent tube on the tranny. And you will have to use the large style driveshaft yoke, the style for the TH400.



I\'d try and find one of these. They will take some abuse, and have a decent gear spread. I had one and I loved it. I also added a Hurst short throw shifter, and it made a huge difference.



A torque convertor is only uses with an automatic tranny. It bolts to the flexplate. Usually automatic tranny\'s don\'t have bellhousings, they are usually all one peice.



Most manual transmissions have a separate bellhousing. Its easier to unbolt the tranny and take them out separetely. The manual transmissions doesnt have a tq convertor. It uses a clutch and pressure plate. They use a flywheel, instead of a flexplate. The clutch sets on the flywheel, and the pressure plate bolts to the flywheel. The pressure plate holds \"pressure\" on the clutch, which transfers power to the tranny.

[DKrcr6]

Ok so what I should do is get a nv3500 from a 4.3 s-10 and it will bolt right up to my 350? Will it fit right into the driveshaft and everything? and will my back end be able to handle this power? thanks alot everyone for the help.

[ZZ4Blazer]

Yup. Find one from a 2wd 4.3 truck or blazer. Im not sure on driveshafts. I don\'t know if any will fit without mods, because you have the 4 banger.



Some have said they can\'t find the NV3500 from a s-10. Finding one from a fullsize will still be easier than the mods for either T5.

[Knanthrup]

one more thing I would like to add on here before anyone forgets is that the NV3500 used an electric speedometer signal whereas your T5 uses a mechanical one. This means you\'re gonna have to probably get a new speedometer that reads electronically rather than mechanically unless there is some sort of adapter, which I have not found yet.

[ZZ4Blazer]

depends on the year of the T5. some were electric

[dave4455]

Actually his 89 should be electric. Thats the year they started that. My truck is an 89 and had 2.5 5speed. I used a camaro t5 and went through alot to make it work. I would suggest the nv3500 due to the simplicity and strength. As far as using t5 if you get a camaro v8 t5 and the right bellhousing (not the camaro one) you can use an s10 tailhousing and that saves the hassle of machining and such. You just use camaro clutch. Then the shifter come up through the stock location. Then you have to figure out how to hook up the slave cylinder cause the camaro and the s10 lines are way different. In other words stick with the nv 3500. As far as making your $1500 budget that you mentioned in one of your posts that a little tight but very possible. I think you can find a nv3500 for around $500 just make sure you get the flywheel, slave cylinder, and the line that goes with it. That would probably save you a hassle finding them. Then you will need a clutch which will cost around $150 for stock replacement and about 2x that for a performance set. Then you figure $800 for an engine. Thats already $1450 and you would barely have enough for spark plugs, wires, and oil and such. You still need exhaust which would require at least manifold that you would have to find or headers which the cheapest I ever saw was $105 or so from summit. Then you need the rest of the exhaust system which you would probably want duals. Thats gonna be around $200 probably at least from a muffler shop. Then there is still mounts and radiator. Also what for engine are you looking at? If its a \"long block\" then you also need distributor, intake, carb, starter, alternator, ps pump, all the engine brackets, air cleaner, timing cover, oilpan, dipstick, and valve covers. I have some experience with these kinds of things and trust me you usually get alot more into them than you can imagine before you start. I am not saying that its imposible to do with your budget but you will have to be more resourceful. Ebay is great but check around locally before buying there. If you are determined to do it just start getting things around and when get everything go for it. Just don\'t start buying stuff then change your mind. Anyway I really didn\'t want to write a book and if you need any other info just ask.

[Knanthrup]

Heh, ok then color me wrong. I guess I didn\'t realize that the newer setup came electronic. I\'m guessing that came in with the new dash setup as well maybe in \'88? Anyways dave has some very wise info there.. good points!

[dave4455]

Actaully the new dash came either 86 or 87. Pretty sure 86. The electric speedo came with the atempt at ABS in 89 (black box next to master cylinder).

[kr4sh]

My brother bought a 90 camaro, 5 spd and 350. Everything went in smooth, he had a problem with the slave/master cylinder, but it all worked out.. He had to get a line made, and cut a hole. He has racing buckets and the shifter isnt that far back. It\'s 2\" from the seat in 2nd gear.. He also used a short shifter, though.. It wasnt hard putting the tranny in it, he didnt do any driveshaft mods at all.. no crossmember mods. It was very simple now the only problem is: He cant hook at all.. He can hit it in 3rd gear and the truck comes around. (Thats going 20mph) Its awesome though! PM me if you have any questions on this subject, since I have been through it all http://www.s10v8.com/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif

[riotpolice75]

let me put in my 2 cents here. first, youll need a master/slave cylinder, a flywheel, the lines for them, possibly a bellhousing - depending on tranny. a throwout bearing, a pilot bearing. second. the flywheels have a different bolt pattern between 55 - 86 and 87 - present. so if you know what year your block is buy the appropriate flywheel for it. third - the flywheels come in different sizes. 10.5 and 11 inch so find out what flywheel you need for your trans again.



like knanthrup stated (i think it was knanthrup) dont waste your time with the s10 t5 tranny, its a pain in the ass, expensive, and it wont hold the power. amongst other problems with it.



as for the camaro t5, it was only ever put behind the 305. there was never a 3rd generation camaro with a 350/t5 combo. the reason behind this is that the camaro t5 wouldnt hold the power of a 350. the camaro t5 is only rated for like 275 ft/lb. there is a world class t5 that was made from like 1989 and up, itll hold 300+ ft/lb. for info on the t5 go to

http://www.5speeds.com/t5/

as for the shifter being too far back on the camaro t5 thats BS. i have one and the shifter is right at the front of the seat, more or less right where i want it. the drawbacks to the t5 are first off the hydraulic line. the s10 uses screw in fittings and the camaro uses press in. you can make one yourself which is a royal pain in the ass or you can have one made. any machine shop should be up to it. also if you do go with the t5 USE THE SLAVE CYLINDER FROM AN IROC. the regular slave cylinders from the camaro are plastic. i broke 3 of them before i finally wized up and got the steel one from the IROC. also if your running headers with a t5 youll need to cut off the drivers side collector and weld it at a 45º angle. reason is the collector runs right into the slave cylinder. if yours came with the t5 in it than your driveshaft should stay the same length, depending on how you position the motor. mine is stock. youll need to elongate the hole on the crossmember, and youll need the bushing from the camaro t5



as for the rustang t5. the first problem is the 10 spline input shaft. theres another problem with the gearing, it wont work behind a sbc for some reason. if i remember correctly it has something to do with 5th gear and the overall lengths are different.





- the dashboard layout did change in 1986

- they DO make adapters for electronic/manual speedo changes

- the nv3500 was produced in the s10 from 1988 and up with the 4.3



i dont know alot about the nv3500. what i do know is theyll handle the power of a 350 without a problem. the slave cylinder/header problem is negated bc the slave cylinder is positioned different. if your looking to make power then the 3500 might be a wise choice. talk to knanthrup about that one. he had this giant post a while back about the 3500 with a ton of really good info.



hope this helps.







smith