smkngta

Ok, I am asking this question for my dad, he has a 2000 ext-cab Z71 with the 4.8L and a 5speed, 2nd gear just went out on the truck about 1.5 weeks ago. I was wondering if it is possible to make a t-56 tranny work in this truck. If it is possible would it cost much more than just replacing the stock tranny. We are trying to figure out what the best thing to do would be. He wants to put a lift on it with some 33's and a whipple supercharger in the near future and he wants to avoid re-doing the drivtrain at that time. $$$ is a little tight right now but if it gets him what he wants and it will save money in the long run we can do it the right way first. What would you do? If you need some more info I can tell you anything you need to know.

Thanks for the help.

oxidizr

iTrader: (4)

you can try to mate a ZF tranny but i really dont know...A t56 Will bolt up but the PCM will not interface. You will have to work out driveshaft length as well.

smkngta

Thanks for the reply oxidizr. Do you know of any good manufactures or companies like LPE or MTI that might be able to help me out with the specifics if I try to get a 6speed to work?

Thanks

99GMC Can

A 6 gear from a wrecker should fit. Might find the right electric cables and PCM to work with it too. Donor vehicles are good to scavange from.

Seeing Red Again

Check out the NV 4500. It's a heavier duty version of the New Venture line of trannies that's used as the standard tranny in the 2500's behind the 6.0. Dodge also uses these things, and its widely used in the off road community. It might be easier and stronger than a T-56, and 1st gear is more of a granny gear. Things to consider in this swap would be output shaft spline count (to match the x-case), tranny mounts and linkage, and of course the PCM. Contact Advance Adapters to see what they say about em. You can find these trannies for around $2,000, or even less if you get it from a pick and pull.

Check out ADVANCE ADAPTERS to see what you can dig up on it. Good luck!

smkngta

I told my dad about the NV-4500 earlier and he doesn't like the idea of having a granny gear because he doesn't do a lot of towing with the truck and when he is off road you can just put it in 4low and have the power to climb anything. If he did go with a NV-4500 would it affect the high-way mileage at all, is the gearing a lot different besides 1st gear? Or could we just build the NV-3500 to be strong enough to handle a supercharger. I would also think the NV4500 would have a stronger clutch feel too, but I'm not sure.

Thanks for your input guys.

smkngta

Does anyone have a 4.8L with a 5speed that is modded or know of some that does have one? I am trying to see what kind of power the nv3500 can hold up to with a clutch that can hold some power.

Seeing Red Again

I have swapped in the Jeep Version of the NV-3500 in my Wrangler. That tranny can't handle a V8 real well, but it's great in my weak Jeep. I resused the factory wet clutch set up, so you *might* could reuse it with the 4500. I've lost the site I had on the gear ratios of the 4500, but basically 5th gear won't be much different than the 3500. However if you don't want the granny gear and the somewhat slow & sloppy shifting of the 4500 (some will argue with me on the shifting, but it seems that way to me) then another tranny may be in order.

As far as beefing up the 3500, if it can be done it would be the easiest thing to do by far. I really have no clue if any heavy duty parts are available for it though. Some of these 4x4 sites might be better at solving your dad's problems. Try posting over at PIRATE 4X4 and at FULL SIZE CHEVY let them know what you are planning to do with the truck power wise and see what you can dig up.

Good Luck!

smkngta

Thanks "Seeing Red Again", I'll try those sites. I think that tranny was designed for less powerful engines. My dads truck only has 53000 on it but it is fun to spin the tires in 2nd gear, so i geuss it just had enough.