Is the 465/NV4500 Swap Worth It?

[Swanson52]

The K5 that I'm currently looking at (84) has the 465 transmission, and I'm curious about how people felt about their swap (to the NV4500). The truck will get driven 45 miles round trip maybe 2-3 times a week, with light duty wheeling on the weekends.

I've never been a huge fan of the 4sp., so I'm hesitant to even consider it but it's a great buy (assuming my 90 sells ).

I'm probably going to end up with 35 or 37" tires, 4.88 or so gears, and I'd like the 4500 for the OD factor.

Opinions?

 

[jaybuller]

I have a 465 in mine and let me tell you id love to have an overdrive. Especcialy since i lie to cruise down the road at about 1800 rpms. That leaves me only goin 55 mph. If i had an overdrive i could be going 65 at the same rpm. Plus you can use your engine better at the peak torque with the tighter gear spacing. Im not converting mine over to the nv4500 till i swap in my 12v diesel so ill ust have to drive slow down the hwy for now.

 

[blazinzuk]

Driving that far the overdrive is worth it just cause its nicer to have.

I think if you ran a cost vs benefit scenario it would probably take the 4500 a long time to pay for itself.

If it wasn't a blazer I would suggest a gear vendors of course thats a bit more money too.

 

[Swanson52]

Driving that far the overdrive is worth it just cause its nicer to have.

I think if you ran a cost vs benefit scenario it would probably take the 4500 a long time to pay for itself.

If it wasn't a blazer I would suggest a gear vendors of course thats a bit more money too.

I'm less concerned with cost vs benefit and more with "would you do the swap again" type of thing.

I threw my cost vs benefit calculator away after owning 2 or 3 K5s. . :laughing:

 

[tRustyK5]

I have a 465 in mine and let me tell you id love to have an overdrive. Especcialy since i lie to cruise down the road at about 1800 rpms. That leaves me only goin 55 mph. If i had an overdrive i could be going 65 at the same rpm. Plus you can use your engine better at the peak torque with the tighter gear spacing. Im not converting mine over to the nv4500 till i swap in my 12v diesel so ill ust have to drive slow down the hwy for now.

The gear spacing with the NV4500 is pretty much identical to the SM 465...'cept it has one more gear. City driving it's identical, aside from the NV4500 shifting smoother.

Rene

 

[1BEATK5]

its also a crapload quieter

i have considered it several times, but it would take getting a good deal on the parts to make it worth it. otherwise the costs add up quick

 

[blazinzuk]

I'm less concerned with cost vs benefit and more with "would you do the swap again" type of thing.

I threw my cost vs benefit calculator away after owning 2 or 3 K5s. . :laughing:

If I had the cash absolutely I would do an 4500

 

[bp71k5]

If you are only planning 4.88 gears and 35" tires, you might be able to use the OD a decent amount of the time. 37" tires will put your rpm to low to use it at less than 65-70mph unless you have decent torque at that low rpm. Deeper gears are better with larger tires and the OD. Mine drives about 2k at 65mph in OD with 35" tires and 4.56 gears.

 

[jaybuller]

The gear spacing with the NV4500 is pretty much identical to the SM 465...'cept it has one more gear. City driving it's identical, aside from the NV4500 shifting smoother.

Rene

1 st and second gear on a nv4500 is where the difference is between the two..... 1 st on a nv4500 isnt near as low like one whole number lower(i bleeiev the nv4500 1st gear is a 5.00 and the 465 1st is like a 6. somthing. also nv4500 2nd gear is only 3.00 and the 465 is almost 4. if im not mistaken.... the 3rd and 4th are the same though...

 

[yellowK20]

Done the swap 3 times myself, and will be doing it at least 2 more times. its worth it

 

[yellowK20]

1 st and second gear on a nv4500 is where the difference is between the two..... 1 st on a nv4500 isnt near as low like one whole number lower(i bleeiev the nv4500 1st gear is a 5.00 and the 465 1st is like a 6. somthing. also nv4500 2nd gear is only 3.00 and the 465 is almost 4. if im not mistaken.... the 3rd and 4th are the same though...

There are 2 versions of the GM NV4500 , the early one has the 6.xxxx first gear and the later one has a 5.xxxx first gear

 

[Slapperbar]

Kinda hijack, anyone make a steel hydro bell for the 4500.

 

[tRustyK5]

The '95 up version has a 5.61:1 first gear, versus 6.55:1 for the SM465. I think you'd be hard pressed to notice a real world difference between the two though. I didn't hardly notice a difference...

The early NV4500 has the 6.34:1 first.

Kinda hijack, anyone make a steel hydro bell for the 4500

Why do you need a steel bell?

Rene

 

[Swanson52]

If you are only planning 4.88 gears and 35" tires, you might be able to use the OD a decent amount of the time. 37" tires will put your rpm to low to use it at less than 65-70mph unless you have decent torque at that low rpm. Deeper gears are better with larger tires and the OD. Mine drives about 2k at 65mph in OD with 35" tires and 4.56 gears.

Excellent. I appreciate this info.