Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) 5 speed to 6 speed swap

[jkern]

ok guys, i have spent a couple hours reading the old forums, and only found one thread about swapping a 24 valve 5 speed to a 6 speed. i have a 99, so i am assuming i have the 1-1/4" input shaft and clutch. so here is my bottom line question... i understand that it is a fairly easy swap, but with a new SBC clutch and a NV4500 trade for a NV5600, what is the bottom line $$$$. i am thinking that if i do the work myself (i have a well stocked and tooled shop) and trade the trannies or buy a used 6 speed from a junk yard or something... the cost of the swap should only be the price of a new clutch with the bigger 1-3/8 splines? am i way off here????

 

[C. Harlan]

I got mine from Blumenthal's, and it is a great transmission, minus the second gear... has had a grind in it from the get go. I think the synchros in it are non existent. Blumenthal is a great company to get the transmission from, but they forgot to send me stuff with it. . After a few days, we finally had everything going. . I was in no hurry anyway, as the clutch was being shipped... I would definitely recommend getting the big disk with the transmission, and doing it right the first time. . Do not take shortcuts like I did, as it will come back and bite you in the but later. Just a word of advice.



-Chris-

 

[Loren]

jkern,



I would recommend that you consider installing a U. S. Gear or Gear Vendors overdrive unit instead of swapping transmissions. An overdrive unit will give you 10 gears instead of just 6, and you will gain an extra half-step gear on top.



My understanding is that the costs are similar, and I'd bet the installation will be simpler than swapping transmissions.



If you can wait to make the decision, I sent Robert an article for the TDR that I hope he will publish in the next issue. It will cover the decision-making process, as well as the differences between the U. S. Gear and the Gear Vendors. The object of that article is to give readers the information they need to decide whether an overdrive/underdrive is right for them.



I like mine.



Loren

 

[Six_Man_Diesel]

Unless you pull alot, I'd stick with the 5-speed. I know for drag racing and hotrodding, I'd much rather have the 5-speed, you can probably find someone with a heavier foot than yours that will trade with you.



Just my . 02



Peace,

Willie

 

[SMorneau]

I went to a six speed because the five speeds kept failing me and I just was not going to have enough confidence in them to get in the truck and go accross crountry. I hope the 6 speed proves reliable. The internal components are much heavier. So far the six speed has only proven to be one slow shifting transmission. No grinding but it takes about a second or two before it will drop into gear after idling in neutral and if you really throw a hard fast shift from 4 to 5 it may do a grind/clunk.



It all depends upon what you want and what you are going to do. The gear splits in the 6 speed are much more appropriate than the 5 speed. I went with the 1-3/8" input shaft but it probably isn't necessary unless you are going to abuse it. Either way it's not going to be real cheap.



As Loren points out you may find happiness with an aux transmission.