transmission swap

[o2batsea]

I've got an SM465 I've been jonesn' to build a truck around. A little, no, way overkill for a 2.25 though. Plus with the extra weight of that tranny I'd need a bigger engine.

An excellent transmission. It will be OK to fit a small block v8 to it and an adapter for the series transfer case from Advance Adapters and you're cruisin.

[meatblanket]

Well, lots of people still smoke cigarettes even though the evidence of their drawbacks is epic. YMMV The "magic time" for the NV4500 has passed. Nobody puts them in trucks anymore.


It's ridiculously long, and needs adapter$ beyond that to add the transfer case. Won't fit well in SWB vehicles, plus the amount of mods to the interior are insane. It also has a somewhat wussy gear set, when there are 4 speeds like the SM420 and NP435 that have far better crawler gears. With an overdrive you get better gearing with far less length. Better fit is an R380/Lt230.
I never said to use an S3 trans, I wrote that he should not mess with the originals and get a trail rig to wheel.

R380 has nowhere near the strength of NV4500, and does not have a granny low. The SM420 and NP435 have a granny low and are short, but they are four speeds and have no overdrive. Neither shift as nicely as an NV4500.

I totally agree that an NV4500 would be extremely difficult to graft into a SWB Rover. It isn't "ridiculously" long for a 5 speed. It is 3/4" longer than an Aisin AX15, and can be used with a Dana 300 or Atlas II transfer case with NO adapter needed.

Fwiw, my vote was stick with a SIII transmission if using the original engine.

[leafsprung]

Bill,
I have a lot of experience with all of these transmissions. I have had land rovers with each fitted. The NV4500 has a lot of advantages over these others you recommend. I also think there are a few points on which you are mistaken . . .

It also has a somewhat wussy gear set, when there are 4 speeds like the SM420 and NP435 that have far better crawler gears.

First the SM420 wont adapt easily to the series transfer case because the casting for reverse is too large. Its a good mate for a lt230 Second, the NP435 is the predecessor to the NV4500. New process and muncie became New Venture (yes the same company you said made lousy stuff, is the one you just recommended . . .twice) Third - The NV4500 sports a 6.34 first gear which is pretty comparable to the four speeds but its fully synchronized. The NV4500 gear set is anything but "wussy". I have zero issues towing 17,000lbs behind a yoked 6bt. Its going on 400,000 miles and shifts perfect.

Better fit is an R380/Lt230

R380 does fit better, however, it has a laughable 3.39 first gear and a puny gear spread. I've had Milk that lasted longer than R380 synchros. Doesnt belong in the same league with this other stuff.

[rickv100]

If you can find one a NP540 series with Overdrive or a Clark280vo.

I have never run one but they have been discussed as replacements for the NP420 series which is a short transmission.

Rick

[meatblanket]

The NV4500 sports a 6.34 first gear which is pretty comparable to the four speeds but its fully synchronized.

Well to be fair, you should've mentioned that the 6.34 first gear is found only in early GM versions. The majority of NV4500s have a 5.6 first gear.

[o2batsea]

I have zero issues towing 17,000lbs behind a yoked 6bt. Its going on 400,000 miles and shifts perfect.

This is in an S3 88? I wanna see that!