I want Overdrive! Options?

[DrkZide]

Well I'm already stick (SM465) but would it be better to upgrade transmissions or get the GV? From what I've heard the tranny is already pretty stout and I like having that low gear should I need it. I just hate feeling like a Honda when I'm going freeway speeds. What would be an upgrade? I can't seem to find anything.

 

[CGT80]

WOW!!! did you do that because you didnt want to put an allison 6 speed in?
or you didnt want to go stick?

id love to go NV4500.. but more NV5600.... and i believe in the stick world you can do either for about that if not cheaper....

im only curious...not bashing your choice.. as i was thinking of getting an OD for my beater... but beater may just get trailered...

I installed the GV in the beginning of 04. I don't remember if the allison 6 speed was out at that time, but they are quite expensive. Also I have heard that they require a small body lift to clear the floor in a truck like mine. The 4l80e trans requires a controller plus the expensive trans. I think the Allison also requires a computer controller.

I didn't want a manual trans, the GV was an easy install behind my Th400 that was still in good shape, and I gained the ability to spilt gears over what a 4l80e would have given me.

The GV wasn't cheap, but I forgot about the price within a few weeks of using it. I would love to have a 6 speed allison. For me, that would be the only thing better than what I have. Shifting 2 transmissions at once and timing them right can get a bit old when towing heavy with only a nice 383. With a total weigh of 16k pounds I just kept it floored and shifted where needed when I was on a grade. Hopefully the new 406 will help a bit.

The GV is rated to handle a full throttle shift from a 1200hp engine. They can build it to handle more if needed. The only problem I have had is that the electric solenoid that shifts the GV has failed twice. They cost around a hundred bucks and I think the first one died when under warranty.

The synthetic manual GM trans fluid that the GV uses is $30 per quart, but it only takes 1.5 quarts to fill it the first time and 1 quart to change the fluid every 5k miles. There are two filters that can be cleaned and reused on the GV. One requires a special wrench (flat wrench with two pins sticking out). The cap for the filter just has two small holes drilled in it. I don't know why they didn't set it up to use an allen wrench or something more common.