Another transmission thread

[lifefloat]

Hey all. Sorry to start yet another transmission thread but it's time for me to do something with my truck and I'm hoping to not spend good money on bad parts and was hoping for a little feedback from the forum.

1998 12 valve. 180,000 miles.
5 speed manual NV4500 (previous owner told me 5th gear was addressed)
4x4
Only engine mods I can see is an ATS Aurora Turbo, ATS exhaust manifold, and a Banks cold air intake. No markings on the turbo but pretty sure it is their 3000 series.

Not sure what kinda HP I'm putting out but I'm happy with the truck the way she stands.

Anyway....3rd gear is getting touchier and touchier. I double clutch it and can make it happen smoother on the upshift. Downshift into 3rd can only be done at very low speeds. Other than that, the transmission performs as it should.

I've run pretty heavy lately with a 5th wheel with all sorts of loads and it is time for a new clutch I believe. If I hammer on the throttle with no load it is slipping and I have to back off the throttle and let is smooth up to speed. With a heavy load I REALLY have to take it easy to get up to speed.

So.............looking at South Bend clutches. I'm considering a dual disk.
SBC# SDD3250-5K-ORG; 550 HP 1100 TRQ RATED FOR TOWING 30K+, ONLY FITS NV4500, NOT THE NV5600 NON-HO

Stage: 4
Use: STREET DUAL
Ft-Lbs: 550 HP 1100 TRQ
Price: $1,867.60

Or maybe I just stick with a single disk organic clutch?

Anyway..........

If I'm going to do the clutch, I might as well address the transmission also.

This whole subject is murky for me clutch and transmission so I'm open to suggestion. Do I stick with the NV4500 and get a rebuild? Do I upgrade to a different transmission G56 or NV5600 or who knows?

I don't need pretty purple paint on my transmission if ya get what I'm saying. I just want a package that works for this truck and spend the money once and not twice.

Thanks for any and all feedback.

 

[NIsaacs]

I am not a fan of twin disk clutches for non competition use. For daily and towing there are other choices that work fine and don't break the bank. Check this link. 400/900 for power, never slips and I tow heavy. About $500 all in, not counting the rear main seal.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/weekend-equipment-maintenece.267865/page-13#post-2734063

 

[Ozymandias]

Check out this thread too.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/torque-king-nv5000.275233/#post-2735205

There is a new player on the field.

 

[lifefloat]

Well well well! The NV5000. I had no idea this existed until now. Just released for sale in late August 2024 according to their website.

Timing is everything in life and this transmission release and my need/want to fix things looks to me like good timing. I'll pony up and give it a shot. Thank you @Ozymandias for pointing this out to me. I won't hold you in contempt if it sucks. I doubt it will, but just saying.

I'll certainly post my experience with it after installation.

Now for a clutch.

@NIsaacs..........you posted a link to that Sachs clutch with the Luk flywheel. I could be down with something like that.

There are soooo many options out there I just need push in the right direction. Looks like Summit offers for sale a bunch of possibilities for this truck. I'm wondering what the difference is between a Luk clutch kit and a South Bend. Both are organic single disc but whoa.......big price difference between the two. What is so different about one from the other? Aside from price hahaha...........

 

[BigPapa]

You can’t beat SBC. Call and tell them what you have and they’ll tell you what you need. Stay away from ceramic or other exotic materials and puck style clutches. The Luk clutch is the OE clutch. If you’re all stock it will be OK, but if not, you’ll tear the hub out of it, it happened to me.

 

[GAmes]

Having a better idea of your HP level will come in handy if you call SBC. At just over 300HP I've been using their organic without issue, most of the time towing. A little over 550k miles so far on this one. I agree that a single disk is a better choice.

 

[NIsaacs]

There are soooo many options out there I just need push in the right direction. Looks like Summit offers for sale a bunch of possibilities for this truck. I'm wondering what the difference is between a Luk clutch kit and a South Bend. Both are organic single disc but whoa.......big price difference between the two. What is so different about one from the other? Aside from price hahaha...........

Be advised, if you still have the oem stock clutch in your truck it will be 12.3" so keep that in mind when you search, especially if you want to reuse your flywheel.

I recommend you upgrade to the 13" in whatever you choose, it will require a flywheel change.

 

[BigPapa]

Get the kit from SBC with the flywheel. I wouldn't reuse any flywheel, not worth it. You'll get the roller pilot bearing with the SBC flywheel.