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My 2002 S-10 ZQ8 extended cab came with a 4.3L V6 and a NV3500 5-spd transmission. NV stands for New Venture. GM also made a NV1500 and a NV4500. An additional source for NV3500 and NV4500s is full-sized 4.8LS-engine, manual trans full size pickups. I kept this transmission when I had my S10 swapped to a 6.0L LQ4 LS1-style V8. Apparently the NV3500 uses an old-school GM V8 bellhousing bolt pattern. I have been running this 12 year-old tranny against the V8 for a year without any trouble. I don't drive it as rough as I do my Z, but I need a new set of rear tires in less than a year due to all the tire-frying I do. And I'm using this car with a tow vehicle, pulling a 4,000 load behind me. In fact, I drove it without oil in it for 2 hours, and once I added oil, it has continued to perform flawlessly. I figured out that the shop had failed to put oil in the tranny because it got progressively noisier and started kicking out of 3rd gear into neutral. But since I added oil, all symptoms resolved and it seems to be good again. The only deficiency I have found with this tranny is that short shifters are SUPER HARD to find for them. I watched for a Hurst shifter for YEARS on ebay and finally grabbed one. Now I can shift with just my finger tips instead of my arm. However, there is a LOT to like about this tranny. It shifts well, although you cant shift it as fast under power as you can shift my T56 or it will grind. But you can still shift it plenty fast. Just not a tranny to use in my opinion if you are going to drag race it every weekend because I very often grind 3rd when shifting at 5,000 rpm+. When driving around town it is great. What I really like about this tranny is that you can drive it carefully without a clutch. Not full-power shifting, but careful, rev-matching, feel-the-gear-open clutchless shifting. Double clutch and feel for the gear to open and you can down-shift too. I don't know if shifting it this way puts additional wear on anything, but it is really fun. I don't routinely drive it that way, but if I want to have a moment of spiritual communion with my machine, I'll drive to get coffee on Saturday morning and only use the clutch to pull away from an intersection and keep my left foot on the floor for the whole trip. This ability has REALLY come in handy twice when I have had a hydraulics failure in the clutch mechanism, once on the way to work and once on a long trip. After my last hydraulic failure (old, used hydraulic line failed), I drove the car to work without a clutch for a week before I found time on a weekend to fix it. Its just a really forgiving transmission and I think they can be had pretty cheap since they are not well known. I'm going to be watching for one with low miles that I can horde away for the day when this one gives up the ghost. My T56 requires use of the clutch-if my hydraulics fail, I'm stranded-you can't even get it out of gear and into neutral without the clutch. I was initially planning to swap the truck to a T56 Magnum at some point, but I'm loving this little NV3500 so much that I've pretty well taken the T56 off the wish list.
Edited August 24, 2015 by RebekahsZ
Chevy Hot Rods – Customs Powered by GM Motors
Modern DriveLine makes it easy to put a stick back in your hotrod where it belongs.
MODERN DRIVELINE
Offers five and six-speed conversions for
Small Block, Big Block or LS swapped Firebirds
Our line of products offers simple ways to upgrade your 3 or 4-speed
to a Tremec five-speed
or a complete automatic to five or six-speed overdrive.
We have you covered.
Benefits:
- Increase in fuel economy with overdrive.
- Lower RPM’s for more drive-ability and a much quieter in-car feeling.
- Reduce wear on your engine & drive-train parts
- Reduce engine temperatures, promoting a longer-lasting engine.
Experience the MDL difference,
- We extend the manufacturer’s warranty by an extra year…
And we add a 1-year grace period - We offer best-in-the-industry customer service.
- When you purchase a complete MDL Conversion Package you get, lifetime technical support.
Click here to see our Frequently Asked TECH-Questions/Answers page
Our front shift tail shaft housing moves the standard Mustang T-5 shifter to the front with different offers available.
Anyone that has built or drives a hotrod can tell you for years it just easier to install an automatic in a Hotrod. No linkage to fuss with. Well MDL is here to change that.
We believe that hotrods should have three pedals. Whether you are driving a ’51 Businessman’s coupe or a blown big block roadster we have the right five-speed for your Hotrod or Street Rod.
Whether it’s Vintage tin or a new Kit
T-5 Five Speed Single Overdrive solution.
For Hotrod making under 450hp, the T-5 five-speed is a great platform to look at. The small case it fits in tight places. With the many different bellhousings and adapter, the T-5 can be bolted to inline 4 and 6 cylinders, V8s.
The question is what can’t we bolt it to? See our list of bellhousing and adapter.
MDL solved the issue of
shift position with our line of offset shifters to move the lever up to 2″ from shifter pivot points. With the Mustang T-5 long shift box, we are able to offer two-shift pivot locations front and rear sockets. Couple this with an up to 2″ offset shifter stub front/back and left/right, a range of 5″ can be achieved from standard Mustang tail housing. In cars and trucks of the ’20s and later, the shifter needs to be a lot further forward to clear the seat.
MDL tooled up and
build a front shift tail shaft housing that bolts to the WC T-5z. We used the same shift box of the Mustang housing to give us the same flexible 5″ range. Measuring from the rear block surface to the shift lever base, a range of 16.5″-28.3″ .
Please call For availability – 208-453-9800
We are not done yet, we offer a complete line of shift lever handles to further fine-tune the shift knob position to make your Hotrod comfortable and
fun to drive.
T-5 Five-speed transmissions
TKX Five Speed Single Overdrive Conversion up to 750hp
For higher torque applications or you’re a ‘spirited driver,’ the TKX series five-speed is the latest offering from Tremec
check out these stats.
Rated for 600lb/ft of torque, will support shifting up to 8000rpm thanks to triple cone hybrid sintered synchronizers that the Tremec T56 Magnums have to make your driving experience the best.
The new end loading design makes for a stronger case with a new sleeker profile, eliminating top covers, that would have restricted room in the tunnel.
Click here to read more about the TKX
Above you can see the differences between the TKO & TKX cases
Much like the TKO the floor support has to be moved back about 2-3/4″ over the narrow section tail shaft housing to retain the stock drive angle.
The TKX offers a little more adjustment approx. 5/8″ at the tail shaft vertically for the driveline angle. Perfect for Pro-Streeters who love to tuck the rear suspension up into their ride.
This can be done by removing the factory spot welds and relocate the support back.
T-56 Magnum Six-speed Double Overdrive
The Tremec Magnum six-speed is the big dog in the family overdrive transmissions. Built on the OE TR6060 platform, the Magnum was designed for the aftermarket with the same flexible features found in the TKO.
The Magnum is a double overdrive transmission that can be rated for 700ft/lbs or about 1000hp. Available in two gear ratios of either a 2.97 or 2.66:1 first with either .80/.63:1 or a .74/.50:1 overdrive 5th and
6th gears. Magnum is the largest of the transmission due to its brute strength rate so fitting one in the hotrod can be challenging. With a shift point of 7,800rpm, the Magnum is a great pairing for high revving engines like the 5.0L Coyote. Mounting a Magnum six-speed is easy with a complete line of aluminum and steel bellhousings offered.
We recommend a hydraulic clutch release for a light pedal effort and maximum clearance.
MDL offers lots of
swing and floor-mounted pedals with internal slave cylinders.
We can help you with a selection of clutches to make your ride smooth and reliable.
T-56 Magnum Six-speed transmissions
So before you decided on just slapping an automatic into your next Hotrod, give us a call.
Whether you are converting from Auto to manual or just want an upgrade, we have a solution for you.
We can supply everything you need from the back of the block to the driveshaft.
You get all the parts you need and none you don’t.
You will have to select a clutch matched to your horsepower & use if you need help request a quote below.
All backed by best-in-the-industry customer service and lifetime technical support on any MDL item you buy.
Solutions are TAILORED to your needs
With many or all of the following:
TREMEC 5 or 6-Speed Transmission with Shifter
- All Fastening Hardware including ARP
- Aluminum or ‘QuickTime’ Steel Bell-housing
- Superior Diaphragm Clutch or McLeod or Tilton Twin-Disk matched to your horsepower and usage.
- Modern Driveline U.S.A. made Lightened Billet Steel Flywheel
- US. made Steel
Cross-member
- Transmission Mount
- Wiring Harness & Plugs
- Shift Ball & Lever and Boot
- Hydraulic Master and Slave clutch linkage
- Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid
- High-Speed Precision Balanced Aluminum or Steel Driveshaft
- Detailed Installation Instructions and Lifetime Tech Support
The MDL conversion packages are as complete as possible.
You get ALL the components you need where competitors’ packages provide only the basics.
When comparing costs be sure you are comparing apples to apples on the contents, quality & after the order service.
Components are IN STOCK
Please call for a customized quote for your
requirements.
208-453-9800