I'm going to swap to manual transmission in my 84.. Anyone here familiar with doing so? I'm leaning towards a Muncie or Saginaw but I'd like a 5 speed for cruising.. I'm guessing I'm around 500 hp. I was wondering if anyone is familiar enough with the NV3500 trans.. I can find those everywhere but is there a bad to using one? Is the shifter close enough to make it work? I am pretty good at making things work. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

 

There is a kit from here that will be a bolt-in swap for the '84. That's assuming your car already has a manual trans and has the clutch setup. Based on your HP, the TKO-600 would be the best bet.

It would be a lot of work to use a Muncie or Saginaw as you would have to build brackets to attach the C-beam to the trans. There may not be a lot of room to install a typical 4-speed shifter like a Hurst Competition Plus (the factory 4+3 manual trans has the shifter inside the trans tunnel.

I would also suggest swapping the differential for a Dana 44 unit. Manual trans C4's had a Dana 44 and the auto trans cars had a D36. All of the '84 diffs were Dana 36 units.

 

I already modified the c beam. Not too much work. I have a th400 in it right now. I am not looking to spend 2-3000 on a transmission. If I was I'd just go with the t56. I was really wondering about shifter location. Nv3500..Muncie... Saginaw.. Since I don't have any of them in front of me to see where they would be if I can make a nv3500 fit and work that would be my best bet.

 

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1550783015

GM 4 spd swap
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...rans-swap.html

 

I am still doing some research on the swap... I have thought about the t56 and I'm thinking that's going to be the best bet here. It should hold up to the power. Only thing is the price. Anyone know where you can find them fairly cheap? I can do some work on it if I need to...

 

I bought a whole '95 Z28 with a 6speed for $1600 4 years ago. Motor was tired, but it was complete. I've seen them a lot cheaper since then.

 

Thought about that... I can't seem to find anything with a 6 speed for less than 5000 around here.

 

I have experience w/the NV3500; I have one in my Silverado. I have thought for a long time, that the NV3500 would make a GREAT 'Vette trans swap:
CHEAP,
Good gear ratios
Pretty strong (stronger than a T5)
Not too big, not too heavy
It's quiet

Anyway, there is no way in hell the shifter is going to work in the stock location (on the trans). It would come up somewhere in the middle of the dash. However, there are (at least) two solutions for that, depending on how ambitious you are. Both involve using a "remote" mount shifter similar to that used on the Gen 1 CTS-V.

1. Use a remote mount shifter, and "trans cap" (I'll call it), and linkage to shift the trans, yet have the shifter where you want it in the car. That mechanism would look something like this:









2. Use a similar mounting system for a remote mount shifter, again, but in this case, have a machine ship extend the internal shift rail so that it protrudes out the *** end of the trans. Tie your shifter into that rail directly, using a precision U-joint -like one from a steering column, or something like that. This would reduce the number pf parts between your hand, and the shift fork, by manipulating the shift rail directly. THAT design would look something like this:

 

Anyone here familiar with the t56? I found one real cheap but someone took it apart. Everything is there but I just need to put it all back together. They tried to swap internals to another transmission but it wouldn't work. Are they easy to put together?

 

I recently rebuilt the T56 in our V, so I'm pretty familiar w/it. It's a LOT more complex than other trans' I've rebuilt, such as the T5, T4, T18...This is what it looks like after you're "poor Herbie Hart, Who has taken his Throm- dim-bu-lator apart!"



And this is my Rebuild thread, if you're interested; TOUGH DAY FOR THE V

You can down load a free tech manual for the T56 ; T56 Manual

 

I got my T56 for $500 with clutch, arp bolts, and stock shifter.

Clutch was throw in the trash, shifter was thrown in the trash.

Made my own cbeam bracket. Used an offset MGW shifter (AWESOME PIECE).

Blew 4th with 400rwhp/435rwtq.

Sent it to Gforce for 1200hp build. Going with McLeod Street Twin 1200hp clutch.
See if it lives behind 800-900rwhp.

 

Apparently it's not a t56 it's a zf 6 speed.. And the only thing apart is the shift fork.. What are my clutch options with that transmission? I'm not familiar with the style that was in those originally.. I have to get an aftermarket flywheel that's externally balanced and it's for a 2pc rear main and I was really wanting to use a normal style clutch.. I think they used a pull type right? I wanted to use normal clutch and a hydraulic throwout bearing.. Is that possible?

 

If it is a ZF then you need to make sure it's an L98/LT1 trans and not an LT5. Input-shaft length is different AND I'd get the information from the tag attached to the transmission post it for identification. The tag is a "required" for ID I'd think.

There's many clutch options available and the ZF was originally a "pull style" BUT there are "push style" options. It requires a serious conversation with any of the premium clutch manufacturers, specialty flywheels can be done by many BUT again it requires a serious conversation with appropriate manufacturers and NOT resellers.

Many struggle with installs but I believe most of the struggles come from using information from several different person's experiences and trying to use maybe short-cuts or not understanding how it was done.

I've never done it but have sourced some parts for a fellow many years ago that did. He left the area before he completed the project and I don't know if he actually ever completed the project. I don't even know if he took the car with him. He wasn't a CF user.

You might contact user ID "LD85" - if he passed on any information to you regarding an install it would be very reliable and I do believe he did a "push style" build. It's been a long while.

None of the swaps you've mentioned should be considered easy/simple and certainly not "inexpensive".

 

I have a picture of the tag they sent me...

 

Sure wish I could find one that cheap...

 

It would be fine if I could find one to rebuild.. They don't look terrible to do. Of course not the easiest... And I have a buddy that could help me out along the way too.

 

That's a '95+ build for a "crash-thru" which would be correct for an L98 or LT1/4 build.

 

So that should be correct for my application? I could use a normal flywheel for my externally balanced 385 from say jegs... And a normal clutch and hydraulic throwout bearing? My block is a 2 pc rear seal

 

Sorry for so many questions just want to know what I'm getting into first..

 

Take a look at ZF Doc's web site.

http://www.zfdoc.com/

He has been very helpful with information and tips. He specializes in these transmissions and can provide a lot of upgrades too.

From his web site it looks like the part number from the tag picture you posted is a '95-'96 LT1/LT4 transmission. It can be further verified by measuring the length of the input shaft to confirm the difference to the LT5 transmissions.

Data from his web site is below.