v8 5 speed

[deltathunder]

I am slooooooowly putting together a mild 355 tbi. Ported vortec heads gmpp Intake 327 cam hopefully a big block tbi unit, anyhow it won't be anything wild mostly gm parts but should be stout. I've read on here that they don't hold up well to v8s so to the t5 gurus what factory t5 would swap right in and be able to hold up? How long would a 150k stock tranny hold up? What about rear ends? I know the manual increases rear end wear but are the astro rears strong?

[4wd86s10]

Try a Muncie Syncromesh SM-460 or SM-465 (comes in a 2wd and 4wd version) They were used in school buses, small dump trucks, and 1/2 ton to 1 ton pickups. I have a spare one with the hydraulic clutch bell housing and clutch set up (2wd version of the SM465) it has provisions for a power take off unit on either side whereas the SM-460 only has the PTO on one side. There is one like mine on ebay right now for $245. and the don't pop up on ebay very often. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... ink:top:en The ultimate swap out be (for a manual transmission to bolt up to a 4.3 or SBC) try the New Venture NV-4500 (five speed) or NV-5600 (six speed). Thats Expensive. They come in 2wd and 4wd variations also. The NV 3500 might work (or some of the earlier versions), but those are light duty transmissions.

[icebrrg3rd]

I have an 5.7L engine & 5-speed out of a '91 Silverado that will be going into my Astro, hopefully this spring. It is an earlier version of the NV3500, and I figure that it should work as it came behind the V-8 originally, but not sure how long it would last behind a stronger motor (I'm keeping my V-8 stock, for now). Don't hold me to this, but I think that my 5-speed is a few inches shorter than the one in there now, I think that the 5-speeds in newer (mid-late 90's) S-10s are the same length as the Astro's auto trannys, might want to look into those over the Silverado's to keep the driveshaft length the same.

As for the rear-end lasting, look into what Chevymaher did to his rear-end, he upgraded a few parts and he hammers on his w/o issues. I'm sure if you have any questions about it he'll be glad to answer them.

CM's Tru-Trac install:http://www.astrosafari.com/viewtopic.php?f=108&t=14227

-Andrew

Hmmm, I just noticed this was a slightly old thread. Oh well.

[4wd86s10]

The NV 3500 is a light duty transmission. Its rated at 350 hp max. The 10 bolt rear end is good for about 350 hp as well. The main difference between the SM 465 or 460 tranny and the NV 3500 is: one is a four speed; really you won't use 1st gear because 6:35 : 1 or 7:1 is really too low for most applications (so its really a 3-speed for the most part. The SM -460 or 465 first gear isn't syncronized and the NV3500 is syncronized on all gears. Third point is the shifter is further forward on the SM 465/460 tranny (closer to the firewall about 8". I have a picture of a NV3500 alongside a NV4500; same length and shifter is in the same location; but, hoo boy is the ever a difference in price. The NV 4500 will probably run over a grand for a used one (more likely 1,500) and a rebuilt one is in the $3,500. range. The SM460/465 and the NV4500 have something in common. They are both heavy duty transmissions and they weigh a lot more than you might imagine (maybe twice as much). They have a large top cover on the transmission so its easier to actually see inside the gear box. The NV3500 has a very small square opening for the shifter to extend from which makes it difficult to look inside the tranny to see what the problem is. The SM 460/465 is shorter overall in length than the NV 3500 too

I did see this on Craigslist today: http://daytona.craigslist.org/pts/3357111618.html

Hope this helps,

Paul

[deltathunder]

Is it ok to revive your own thread? Last time I checked (a long time ago) no one answered and I stumbled across this thread because I was doing some research and saw my own thread. Anyhow, are any of those trannys a direct swap from a t5? Or.would I just be bestoff getting a wc t5 to replace mine when it goes? Layoffs has slowed me down but I am still thinking about the project.

[markmitch]

The standard trans in the Astro is a one of a kinds trans, due to the linkage, clutch assembly etc remember the Astro /Safari engine is off to one side so the trans was setup accordingly. I was told when I looked into this same thing that you will have to take the trans from the Astro and gut it and install the guts from the same trans from a Camaro or Trans am.