t5 or nv4500 5 speed

[1980c10]

I have a 1980 c10 swb with a sm465. I want to replace it with a 5 speed trans. I would like to know what this might involve with either transmission. I currently have the factory inline 6 and it will probably stay this way for a few more years. I've done this type of swap before in an  s10 so i can do the hydraulic clutch conversion, crossmember, drive shaft etc. I  am mostly looking for info such as the differences between the two transmission as it might relate to my truck, such as shifter position linkage, speedo cable hook up, tailshaft etc., any reason to choose one over the other. If you have done this let me know what you like and don't like, problems encountered or whatever you may think might be useful to know. thanks

[Captkaos]

A T5 is a car transmission.  If you are wanting to replace the SM465 with a comparable manual I suggest the NV4500.

[zieg85]

As Capt said the NV4500 is the transmission to use.  I caution you however unless you get one for close to the cost of a SM465 it may not be worth the cost of the swap.  Questions I have are do you have the 250 or 292 in your truck.  What is the rear end gearing.  I drove a NV3500 swapped into a 86 with a 6 cylinder and 5th gear was totally useless unless going down hill or over 80 mph.  My $.02

[1980c10]

I  have the 250. it seems pretty strong even in 4th. I'm not sure what gears i have; but would change them if needed to make 5th useful. i'm thinking maybe the t5 would have a little tighter pattern and quicker shifts than the nv4500. I will never tow or haul anything in the truck and it is not a daily driver. I just want it to be a little funner to drive. the sm465 takes way too long to shift and gears are too far apart betweemn 1st and 2nd. I've seen the t5 in many hotrods with no complaints. I guess what i'm getting at is that I don't like the sm465 and that is why I want to swap it-not really to go faster just better drivability.

[Irish_Alley]

With the NV you could go with like 4.10 s and still have good millage due to 4th and 5th gear. And she will be fast off the line I would probably go with 373 tho if it was me

[1980c10]

I'm not too worried about the gears at this point. first I'll get the trans in, drive it and then figure out what gears I have and then go from there. given that the engine runs pretty fast at highway speed it'll probably be fine with the gears i have now. pleasekeep the feedback coming.

[Irish_Alley]

You mean the rpms are high at highway speeds?

[1980c10]

yeah the rpms are pretty high at 65 mph,

with the nv i am worried 1st gear may not be useful to me as i wont be towing etc. just a pretty driver.
would the t5 have a taller 1st gear?

[Captkaos]

I don't know of any way or anyone that makes and adapter to go from a T5 passenger car trans to a transfer case.  If you don't want a steep first gear you could go with a NV3500 out of a halfton.

[Irish_Alley]

My bud has a 3500 in a idk 1998 with the 6.5? Turbo what ever it is and he was drunk one night so I drove him to get some food so he's telling me about how to shift but didn't have to give it gas to start driving in 2nd and you can take off in 3rd is you didn't come to a complete stop. Which reminds me anyone know of a common area that the 6.5 leaks water from? He just rebuilt of but it leaks and no sign of were its going I sana say he saw a sign of it on his dipstick

[1980c10]

From what I can find on the t5; it doesn't sound very strong. I would use one from an earlier s10 behind a 4.3 if i were to go that route. I looked up specs on the nv 3500 vs the specs on a 4500 and found the 4500 to be 214lbs vs 110lbs on a 3500. So I am definatley leaning towards the 3500. anyone know what tail shaft I would want the s10 or c1500 version as they are different lengths or what would be closer to what I have? what about a speedo gear? Any reason not to use the nv3500? shifter placement? Thanks everyone for the feedback.

[1980c10]

Irish: does he have white smoke? if so the anti freeze could be leaking internally.

[Irish_Alley]

From what I remember no smoke at all

[1980c10]

I would do a pressure test and go from there.

[Irish_Alley]

Talked to him last night and he said that it steams out the valve cover and is milky there but if he let it sit for a week there is no water in the bottom of the oil pan. And in a weeks amount of time it probably goes through 1/2 gal of water