What transmission?????

[87 V20]

Ok for my 87 v 20, I'm buildin the motor to a 383 stroker. I have a 3 speed with granny gear right now, but I'm wantin somethin that I can shift a lot quicker but also wanna keep the granny gear??? Any ideals?

[Da67goatman]

So you want to keep the standard trans?  that leaves nv3500 4500 ect 4 speeds with granny

[Blazin]

Why do you need to shift quicker? I think the SM465 can be shifted pretty quick considering its a light duty truck trans.

[HAULIN IT]

I think the SM465 can be shifted pretty quick considering its a light duty truck trans.

It's a Turd...Throw it in the scrap pile. My opinion: Probably the biggest "flaw" in trucks of our years.
In '89 we were looking to buy a new wrecker. Test driving the '89 Chevy compared to the '89 Ford was VERY dishartening as I was ONLY GM minded at the time. WOW what a difference between the power of the 454 carb engine with the SM465 & the 460 FI with the ZF. I think that experience is what "helped" me broaden my mind to other interests. It was obvious that GM had better change the plan fast...they were 3 years behind at least!   
Vans were pretty much the same...Very good foundation & served for MANY, MANY miles, but needed a bigger engine & they had all of the parts to do it.
Several years ago, I was looking for a motorhome. My options were spend much more than I really wanted to, to get into a much newer model with a 454 or buy an older one planning an engine swap before it ever left the driveway...The Ford seemed like a better plan. Lorne
     

[bake74]

     The nv3500/4500 does have a granny low 1st gear, just not as low as the sm465 does. 
     Sm465 1st = 6.55:1, nv3500 1st = 6.0:1, and the nv4500 1st = 6.34:1.   The biggest difference is that the nv3500/4500 have synchronized forward gears (easier shifting) reverse gear is not synchronized, and the nv3500/4500 are both 5 speeds with over drive final gears.
     However the nv3500/4500 will require modifications to work in our trucks.

[Blazin]

The ZF is a nice shifting trans, but have known many of them to have bearing failure problems. I have never blown up, or had any problems with an SM465. I have stress tested many of them since I was 16!

[87 V20]

Ok sounds like I might be goin with the 4500...what kinda modifications r we talkin about...and also will it be worth it?? I mean it ain't no drag truck just gonna be built for torque....but also would like that overdrive.

[DnStClr]

Check the following site for adapter and other parts  needed.
http://www.nv4500.com/index.php/cPath/6461_518_3142