Learn me: LS-swapping s-dimes

So this past weekend I volunteered to work the Midwest Mucle Car challenge auto-x. Lots of amazing stuff there. old, new older, awesomener etc. What drew my attention was the LS7 swapped Sonoma. Now, that's overkill IMO. I mean, who needs 700hp in a 2900lb S-truck? /sarcasm.

But... I had thought ofdoing for quite a while was a cammed 4.8 in a late model s-dime with the ZQ8. The easy button would just snag a 4.8/4L65e and bolt in. But I like having 3 pedals. So... my nain question is this: will the 4.3 T-5 bolt to the LR4? Let me rephrase that... it will bolt on, but what needs to be done on the clutch front to make it work? I figured the lower torque of the 4.8 shouldn't abuse that trans too bad and still be able to make 300whp.

Am I wrong? Looking for an economical way to do this. I really need pushrods and RWD.

Dissapointed that this thread has no datsun content. Different use of the word dime than I am used to.

The 4.3 trans was an nv3500 if I remember right.

Conventional wisdom seems to be that t5 + LSx = hand grenade. Even a lowly 4.8 with a cam is going to be 300 whp most likely. I think some of the older GM 4 speeds (which I don't know jack about) are supposed to be stronger, otherwise you're looking at $$ for a t56 if you want od.

And I too have long had a fascination with an s10 race truck. Watching with interest.

Some 4.8 pickups came with the nv3500 too. Not great gearing for sporty stuff and not very strong.

Ive got a friend who put tons of suspension work, a 5.3 and t56 into a s10...makes 340hp to the wheels and has ac. Im so envious of that truck. Best part is it looks BONE stock down to the wheels. Ac is second best part

I've looked at using an AR5 before, I feel like the parts you'd need to adapt it could make up the difference between it an a T56 though. I know there is/was a swap kit to put an LS in a Solstice that kept the AR5, that car already had the AR5 though.

If you don't might spending $2500 for a T5, it will live. The only other options are a TKO or the "easy" button T56.

I personally would do the "no dollar" manual VB for the 4L.. I know it doesn't have the third pedal, but damn its a cheap way to be. You can even pony up the $700 for the 2.48(?) 1st gear Sonnax planetary set and still be ahead.

After that, it's all "plug and play" or available in the aftermarket.

Don't forget the lowly NV3500 was used in Joe Gibbs SC trucks (395hp/425tq) before switching to TR3450. There are few running around putting 450tq through the transmission without any issues.

Here are the ratios of the NV3500 (RPO: M50) that came in the S10 trucks (93-03 w/ 4.3):

• 3.49
• 2.16
• 1.40
• 1.00
• 0.73

Sachs NFW1050 flywheel and stock 4.8 clutch is all that needed. Interesting tidbit is the NV3500 from the Blazer has the shifter further back on housing.

How much does it cost to have a transmission shop beef up a T-5? I looked up aftermarket new 5 and 6 speed trans, and new ones are $2400 or $3050 for the most part (GM and Ford compatible).

Ranger50 wrote: If you don't might spending $2500 for a T5, it will live. The only other options are a TKO or the "easy" button T56. I personally would do the "no dollar" manual VB for the 4L.. I know it doesn't have the third pedal, but damn its a cheap way to be. You can even pony up the $700 for the 2.48(?) 1st gear Sonnax planetary set and still be ahead. After that, it's all "plug and play" or available in the aftermarket.

care to share info or links about the no dollar manual valve body? im thinking flappy paddles, but know that cant be right for free.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

http://jd.offroadtb.com/trans-docs/4l60e-manual-shift-conversion.pdf

I have a buddy who 5.3 swapped 1st gen s10 blazer. Very very cool machine and gasp puts miata handling to the test at the track. That being said, he was running the t56 for a while, but found that the 4L65E suits the nature of the truck much better. I'm a die-hard manual person, but am slowly coming around to the fact that when going the domestic route, the auto tends to be the better transmission.

Strike_Zero wrote: Don't forget the lowly NV3500 was used in Joe Gibbs SC trucks (395hp/425tq) before switching to TR3450. There are few running around putting 450tq through the transmission without any issues. Here are the ratios of the NV3500 (RPO: M50) that came in the S10 trucks (93-03 w/ 4.3): - 3.49 - 2.16 - 1.40 - 1.00 - 0.73 Sachs NFW1050 flywheel and stock 4.8 clutch is all that needed. Interesting tidbit is the NV3500 from the Blazer has the shifter further back on housing.

Wel that is the easy button. Find 4.3/5-spd s10.

Dusterbd13 wrote: The 4.3 trans was an nv3500 if I remember right.

It'll hold 300/300 just fine.....

Bobzilla wrote:

Strike_Zero wrote: Don't forget the lowly NV3500 was used in Joe Gibbs SC trucks (395hp/425tq) before switching to TR3450. There are few running around putting 450tq through the transmission without any issues. Here are the ratios of the NV3500 (RPO: M50) that came in the S10 trucks (93-03 w/ 4.3): - 3.49 - 2.16 - 1.40 - 1.00 - 0.73 Sachs NFW1050 flywheel and stock 4.8 clutch is all that needed. Interesting tidbit is the NV3500 from the Blazer has the shifter further back on housing.

Wel that is the easy button. Find 4.3/5-spd s10.

They're rare as hens teeth, but I've owned one already. There's a yellow one floating around your neck of the woods too Bob.

Or do the "light switch" 4l80....

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ozbWf_QsPrw

I really like the light switch. Wonder if that'd work on the 4L60e also.

http://lexington.craigslist.org/pts/5576919562.html

NMNA dude is asking $400 for a chevy 5-speed locally to me.

WOW Really Paul? wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Strike_Zero wrote: Don't forget the lowly NV3500 was used in Joe Gibbs SC trucks (395hp/425tq) before switching to TR3450. There are few running around putting 450tq through the transmission without any issues. Here are the ratios of the NV3500 (RPO: M50) that came in the S10 trucks (93-03 w/ 4.3): - 3.49 - 2.16 - 1.40 - 1.00 - 0.73 Sachs NFW1050 flywheel and stock 4.8 clutch is all that needed. Interesting tidbit is the NV3500 from the Blazer has the shifter further back on housing.

Wel that is the easy button. Find 4.3/5-spd s10.

They're rare as hens teeth, but I've owned one already. There's a yellow one floating around your neck of the woods too Bob.

For sale? Because I'd get the suspension/brakes/wheels/tires done first, then swap the engine.

If you can't find a manual truck or JY NV3500, I may have one available. Not sure if it would be worth it to ship at a dry weight of ~110 lbs.

I didn't hear what your plans would be for this rig. Would it be mostly road or competition use? If competition then I would say consider an old school four speed. I don't really know much about gm four speeds but typically the stuff from the 60s was built heavy for big torque and geared for performance. But no overdrive sucks on the road.

I know the S-trucks used SLA front suspension with coil springs, so those should be a decent starting point, but what are guys doing out back to make these things handle? The ten bolt axles don't like rough treatment, and leaf springs aren't great at anything besides hauling gravel. I assume that moving the battery to the back and stripping front weight helps, what else are people doing to get these around corners?

The one I saw last weekend was using a 3 link with a watts out back. Very competent. Ofcourse, itwas also an LS7/T56 and made 600whp....but the chassis was super planted. Needed some more rebound on the front shocks, but was still pretty awesome to watch.

EDIT: as for purpose, it would be a CAM auto-x beast and a fun car to drive around and have fun with. So having the ability to handle highway cruising is a biggie. Then again, I may start looking for a 99-06 RCSB 4.8/5spd instead....

In reply to gearheadmb:

Seems that the rear is decent when lowered a bit and with zq8 sways. Check out dusterbd's project driveabeater. I'm sure he'll chime in with much greater knowledge than I could offer.

Or, if you're down with some fab work, I can't imagine a truck arm setup would be too terribly difficult to build...

Furious_E wrote: In reply to gearheadmb: Seems that the rear is decent when lowered a bit and with zq8 sways. Check out dusterbd's project driveabeater. I'm sure he'll chime in with much greater knowledge than I could offer. Or, if you're down with some fab work, I can't imagine a truck arm setup would be too terribly difficult to build...

Truck arm kits are now to the point of bolt ins.