4.3 V6 Question.......5-spd....

[Kustm52]

Yeah, it's in my driver...but the info could apply to anything. Got a '89 Blazer with 200 and too many thousand miles...the o/d trans is due to die any time now. I would really like to replace it with a 5-spd. As far as I know, the S-10 trucks/Blazers with 4.3's were never offered with a five speed...only the 2.8's came with them. Now, Here's the plan I have for the conversion....Get pedals, and slave cylinder from a manual S-10 for starters. Now, here's where the questions come in. Can a V8 flywheel be used on a 4.3? What bellhousing? I'm thinking for the bellhousing, '88 - up Chevy truck, since it will have the provision for the slave cylinder. Use a T-5 from a S-10, yeah, I know it's not the strongest, but this is a everyday driver, not something I'm gonna be doing burnouts with. I guess if it didn't hold up I could do the tailhousing swap on a Camaro t-5....Of course, crossmember and driveshaft will have to be modified too...should be able to use a crossmember from a 2.8/5 spd truck. Anybody got any suggestions....or know an easier way to do this? Now that I'm typing I seem to recall hearing that Astro Vans (4.3) were available with a 5-spd...I wonder if they were the world class trans? Any ideas/suggestions/input greatly appreciated...

Brian

[Fat Hack]

I don't know about the S10 trucks, but the half-ton full sized GM trucks were available with the 4.3 V6 and a five speed manual. That may be a tranny to look in to.

The W/T series trucks had this option as the base powertrain.

[36-3window]

i don't know much about swapping the later GM stuff,but i do know my `95 chevy S-10 has a 4.3 v-6 and a 5-speed.... maybe some parts out of a later pu would just bolt in? the flywheel may be the same for a v-8,when i replaced the clutch at 160,000 i found out the clutch was the same as a full size PU with 5-speed,i fact i was told the transmission was the same too.

[RileyRacing]

I thought the 5 speed that came in the W/T's is a Getrag. At least that is what mine is http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif And as far as v8 stuff bolting to it, I think only if it is a 350. I say that because a friend of mine trashed his engine in his 96, and I offered him a crank I have (305) and his machine shop said it isn't the same. Something about balancing I think.

[Model A Vette]

The flywheel from the '86 & up V8s will work. They are the ones with the new smaller bolt pattern like the 4.3. There are several sizes: 10.5 & 11 inch clutches. Some of the flywheels have dual patterns for both size clutches.

[Kustm52]

Yeah, I think the trans in the 1/2 ton was the Getrag (sp?) trans...the reason I was leaning toward the T-5 was because I have an extra...and I'm cheap.....!

From 36's reply, looks like the Getrag trans was the one used in the s-10's once the 5-spd was offered with the v-6. Didn't know that...all I new was that up to the body style change ('93?) the 4.3 was not available with the 5-spd. Well, that's good to know. Anybody know if the bolt pattern on the Getrag is the same as a t-5? If so I could probably get a bellhousing and flywheel from a newer model and use the trans I have...I bet the Getrag trans are pretty pricey...

Brian
Brian

[flatheadpete]

I have a '98 full size v6, 5 sp. Also have an s-10 t-5 behind my flattie in my T bucket. 5 speeds were different between 2.8 and 4.3 but are the same when it came to V8/ 5 speed combos. I'm all about bein' cheap when it comes to daily drivers.

[Deyomatic]

I was under the impression that a 4.3 was a 350 with 2 cylinders hacked off. If so, then you should be all set.

[Ayers Garage]

Like was said above, 86 and later V8 flywheels will bolt up. Same as the bellhousing, the 4.3 uses the same pattern as all other normal Chevys do.

I've done several V6 to V8 swaps, so I've been there.

[Assdragger]

I had a 91, 4.3 s-10 that I bought brand new, the 5 speed is still out in the garage....never looked at it very close, just thought it would be a t-5. Either way, I`m going to use it in my T coupe.

I sold the truck to a buddy of mine and told him I wanted the tranny back, He pulled the drive train out, thats why I never looked at it very close. If I wasnt ready to hit the sack, I would go take pic`s for ya.

[Kinky6]

Hey, Brian,

I think that the 4.3 Getrag 5 speed has an integral bellhousing, unlike the T5. If you're ever on the Stovebolt page, Tony, who lives in upstate NY, seems to know a lot about the differences on these.

I have a 5 speed w/ an integral bellhousing and a hydraulic clutch; it has a inverted V pattern like the back of a Chevy V8. I thought it was for a V8 1/2 ton pickup, but it may be from a newer 4.3. It was almost new when I bought it in '95.

Did you go over to Lineville? I was planning to; we had a last-minute booking in the arena, instead. Damn nice weather for it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Later, J.M.

[Kustm52]

Hey assdragg, if you don't mind take a look at that trans you've got... it might answer some questions for me. I guess the main thing would be does it have an integral bellhousing, and kinky was pointing out.

Kinky, didn't make it to lineville...second year in a row. Had to work all weekend as usual, and didn't want to take two days vacation... I'm sure with the great weather they probably broke another attendance record...probably over 500 cars.

Brian

[Rocky]

Brian...I can't think of any reason the T-5 wouldn't work behind your 4.3, using the late 350 flywheel and bellhousing. Watch for clutch cable or slave cylinder hookup at the clutch fork.

[CruZer]

I have a '98 S10 4wd 4.3 with a 5 speed and I love it. It's got plenty of balls and gets me 24mpg. The torque curve is great.It pulls hard in every gear from about 1800rpms up thru 5000.

[Kustm52]

Thanks for all the input so far....Anybody got a '86 up flywheel and bellhousing you don't need?????

Brian

[MercMan1951]

All I know is that RocketJ2's trans and clutch BAWLKED all the way home trying to haul his 4X4 chebbie and my '77 Cougar -turd- on a trailer 5 miles from Plymouth to Northville...remember, Jay? Granted, it was hilly...but I thought my car had killed his trans after that one. That trans is a turd. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[RileyRacing]

Yeah, a 5000 pound car on a 2000 pound trailer with a 4.3 running on 4 cylinders... God were we dumb back then http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Amazing what happens when you get an engine running right!
Ask me when I do! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

jay

ps dick http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[Assdragger]

Well, I guess I`ve got a Gatrag.....are they worth a damn? I know I`ve punished this one since day 1! Should I NOT run this in my T coupe....I dont see a reason why I souldnt other than It would be a bitch to find another if I destroy it!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gifGimmie some answers.

[Assdragger]

Another

[Assdragger]

again

[Assdragger]

One more

[Assdragger]

Just got a call from a buddy who says he thinks they only put Getrags in Dodges.....says they had oiling problems. He says he thinks what I have is a New Venture?????I`m so confused?? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[RileyRacing]

No, starting in 1990 they put Getrags in Chevys. They were licence built jobs. Ok for light duty, but nothing heavy duty. Not like the ones they put in the stealths and stuff. Really $$$ I hear too. When mine goes, I am gonna do an auto conversion.

Jay

[fastbackadam]

i have a 93 4.3 from a s10..taking offers.

[Kinky6]

Assdragger - that's the trans that I bought at a swap meet in '95. The guy said his buddy had just gotten his truck back from the dealer from a warrenty trans replacement, when it was stolen and then burnt. So mine looks brand new, with some burn marks on top. It was one of those Sunday afternoon "Ya'll don't really want to haul that all the way back to Kentucky?" things.

Dunno what I'll use it in, just a spare. Kinky6.

[Assdragger]

From what I can tell, the getrags ARE new ventures. The Getrag part #s start with NV....

[Assdragger]

I tell ya what Kinky, I dont think I`m gonna be scared of mine. I`ve side steped that tranny lots of times and it always took it! That lil T will be alot lighter than my ol S-10!

[Kustm52]

So, looks like if I find a git-rag it will solve all my problems at once.....is the arm and the slave cylinder mounting a part of the integral bellhousing?

Thanks for taking the pictures, Mr. Dragger.

Kinky, you want to trade your spare git-rag for a T-5? Assuming it will work...

I wonder how hard it would be to make a plate to adapt the git-rag to the back of a Nailhead....hmmmmm......Anyone bought one of those 700r-4 adapters for a nailhead yet? I could use that for a pattern to start with....then machine an aluuuminium plate to go between the two.....

Might take a while, but I bet it would work.....

Brian

[ron abner]

Kustm52, I went to Lineville Sunday. At lunch time they had all ready registered over 700 cars and they were still coming in. It was too hot and I left about 1:00. They had cars in the grass lot on the left coming in, on the hill on the right along with two lines of vendors, and cars on the slope at the lake. They had a new parking area on the other side of the lake, you had to drive across the dam to get to it and they would not let you drive back across the dam to get out, they had a "road" (more like a wash board according to people who had to park in that area) that came out on one of the side paved roads. I was lucky, I got there in time to park in the lot on the right as you come in. Lots of high dollar cars as usual. Not that many Flathead powered or daily drivers. Lots of trailers park across the road from the park. All in all a good show as usual and especially since it is the last one for the year.

[Assdragger]

It`s all one unit. Heres the man that has an addapter for damn near ANYTHING including your nailhead.

Bob Bendtsen`s transmission adapters
13603 Johnson St.NE
Ham Lake Mn. 55304
(763)-767-4480

This guy can adapt your flathead,nailhead,hemi,stovebolt,cadillac,pontiac, olds,FE, and Y block to any chevy trans and he has electronic transmission controllers for you gold chainers including... 4L60E, 4T65E, 4T80E, AODE/4R70W E40D/4R100 ! At least thats what his card says! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif I`ve seen his adapters, VERY nice. Sorry, no website listed.

[Kustm52]

Ron, glad to hear there was a good turnout...that's one show that I don't mind spending money at, it all goes to the Shriners Hospital For Burned Kids (or something like that). Like you said, though, a lot of gold chains there...

Mr. Dragger, I'll be damned. Look at this. transmission adapters (http://www.transmissionadapters.com)

He DOES have the ones for adapting a manual trans..rather pricey though...but where else ar you gonna find one? I guess if this price includes a new flywheel, it's about a cheap as an original Buick setup, assuming you can find one.
Thanks for the info.

Brian

[choprods]

cust-52- I found one quirk Ill share. I have a 305[92 camaro came with 5sp and a buddy wanted to put it in his 92 350 5 sp pickup until he had some more money to redo the 350. he installed the eng in his truck with his 350 flywheel and clutch- it shook and vibrated. so I am saying be careful all v8 stuff is not same.they wre both man trans engines and both same 1992 year! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Assdragger]

Hey, 52 I think I`ll post that link for everyone. To good to hide.

[Kinky6]

Those adapters are bitchin'! I really like the idea of a RPU, no hood, with one of those big Buick straight eights loading down the front springs.....