OT Has anyone put a 5spd manual into an older Chevy?

Has anyone put a more modern 5spd (from the mid '90s) manual transmission into '75-'85 full size chevy pickup? I'm wondering if it would be a practical swap or a waste of my time.

I'm pondering my next pickup and have always liked the styling of that model pickup, I would just like it to get better fuel milage.

it is a very practical swap, and will give you overdrive if you swap in the right trans. May have to fab up hydraulic clutch components, but that is not difficult. Any sbc trans will swap in, as will transmissions from the 4.3.

Some of the new transmissions are stouter than others so research what will work the best for you. There is a lot of info on the web about this swap, with more details.

Thanks for the reply.

Do you know if the speedometer outputs would match?

probably not, but there are some aftermarket conversion parts that can make your speedo work.

You probably won't gain much in fuel mileage. Carbed engines become less efficent at lower RPMs so running them slower doesn't gain as much mileage as one would think. It wasn't until fuel injection metered the amount of fuel going to each piston that significant gains were seen using OD. Unless of course you have an extremely low speed rear end in your Chevy.

It's an easy swap, but not very rugged unless you want to spend big-bucks. I've got several early 80s Chevy trucks with manual overdrives, but mine are diesel. OD makes a big difference in fuel mileage.

Chevy factory-installed four-speed manual overdrive transmissions on 82s and up 1/2 ton trucks, vans, and Blazers. It's a nice setup, uses conventional mechanical clutch linkage, and has a separate bell-housing. Has full .73 overdrive just like the 5 speeds. I've got four of those setups. NP833 four-speed-overdrive made by New Process and first used by Chrysler (as the A833). It is also full syncrho and has a side-cover shifter posts that use a Hurst-type shifter setup.

1st-3.09, 2nd-1.67, 3rd-1 to 1, and 4th OD-.73

If you insist of five speeds, the NV3500 is the one usually used. It's a light-duty trans used mostly in 1/2 ton or lighter trucks and has an integral bellhousing and hydraulic clutch setup. They're cheap. Now, if you want something rugged, then you need a NV4500 which is very expensive.

The real neat setup is using the original old cast-iron HD four speed with a Ranger-Gearspliter setup bolted between the trans and bell housing.
It comes either with 27% overdrive or 17% underdrive. This makes a very rugged OD setup, and . . . since it mounts before the transmission, works fine in 2WD or 4WD.

By the way, about OD and older carbed gas engines? My 65 SS Chevelle with a 327, 10.5 to 1 pistons, 4.11 axle, mild cam, Torker intake, headers, Holley 600, and TH400 trans got 14 MPG at best. When I put overdrive into it, it came up to 19 MPG. That's a big jump, but only works if I'm driving it very easy. OD certainly did improve it though, so the comments about OD not working on carbed gas engines?? Not true in my case.

The project I'm considering is a K20 or K30 with 4:10 rears and a 350 or larger gas motor. If I could get low to mid teens with this setup I think I'd be pretty happy. I'd consider an M1008 if the price was right, but I don't care for the Chevy diesels.

The truck would be primarily summer usage and need to pull a 10k bumper trailer or 14k gooseneck. The main appeal of the project is that like the style of the trucks and they can be had for less than a comparable mid 90's truck.

Thanks for the replies.

The General Motors 6.2 as used in the M1008 only has the horsepower and torque-curve of a 305 gas engine. It would be an awful choice for pulling a 10,000- 14,000 lb. trailer unless it's only on flat roads.

6.2s weren't bad engines. Main problem is, GM origially designed them as power-equivalents to the 305 gassers, NOT the 350 gassers. Many people have too high expectations for the engines. And, put a turbo on a 6.2, it will perform like a 350 gas engine, but usually won't last as long without some modifications.

If you want to pull a trailer as described, the light-duty NV3500 5 speed is too light.

To be reliable, you'd need a NV4500. Or, just use the origial cast-iron four speed (with non-synchro granny low), and stick a Ranger gear splitter in front of it.

A 6.2 diesel 3/4 ton truck with 4.10 gears and no OD is going to get around 17 MPG on the highway empty, at best. With .7 OD around 19 MPG. Any carbed gasser is going to be worse.

If you can get an NV4500, you will be very happy with it. Syncro in all gears (including rev.) low is a creeper and 5th is O.D.
My "93 Dodge shortbox D150 came from the factory with this tranny mated to the 3.9 V-6 as used in the Dakota.
Wierd, I know, and way overkill but when I finally wear out this truck, I"m keeping the tranny for the next one. LOL