NV4500 or 4l80e?

[Russell]

Well, I'm at a bit of a loss of what to do here. I've been counting on getting a cheap NV4500 that needed some shifter work to install into my 80 with the 6.0L, but I found out today that it won't be happening anymore

The basic plan was that a buddy of mine has a pair of 1 ton diesel trucks, one a 93, the other a 98. The 98's NV4500 has a bent shift fork, which makes it tough to get into 1st and 2nd gear, but otherwise is fine. The 93 has a perfect transmission, but the bellhousing is cracked by the slave cylinder. We'd basically agreed that I'd swap the two transmissions out, then get the 98's transmission at a good price. However, I just recently found out that the 98's bellhousing won't fit on the 93, and my buddy isn't interested in changing out the clutch type, so he is going to keep the transmission just the way it is.

He said I can buy the 93's transmission, but I'll have to pay a market value price for it, which suddenly makes my NV4500 swap cost more than twice as much as dropping a 4l80e in.

Should I just abandon the NV4500, and put in the 4l80e instead? Or should I just pony up the cash and get what I'd prefer right off the bat?

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

The transmission is likely something you're going to use pretty often. If you want the 4500, go with it. You'll regret it if you don't.

 

[mikey_d05]

Damn, you were pretty pumped about getting that 6.0 and NV4500 combo hooked up too.

I'd say PM me, and I'll do my best to stuff one in the trunk of my car when I go to Banff this summer.

Seriously though, having gotten recently reaquainted with manuals, I'd say it's the only way to go.

 

[tRustyK5]

Market price on a used NV4500 is $1000 US...not $2500. Rebuilt and zero miles is about $1400 US from what I've seen on eGhey.

Rene

 

[mikey_d05]

Market price on a used NV4500 is $1000 US...not $2500. Rebuilt and zero miles is about $1400 US from what I've seen on eGhey.

Rene

I can get 'em for $1200 locally. Can you fit one in the trunk of a 2006 Grand Prix?

 

[454k30]

if it doesnt fit just buckle it into the front passenger seat!

 

[u2slow]

Many of the better prices on NV4500s depend on you having a rebuildable core to give up. Otherwise you get stuck with a hefty core charge.

On my own rig, I decided I'd rather shift my own gears than drive an auto - even if it meant no OD. SM465 was the obvious choice.

 

[Russell]

Ah, the price includes not only the NV4500, but also the flywheel, clutch kit, special throwout bearing, special pilot bushing + spacer, bellhousing, and hydro conversion for the bellhousing. Basically everything to have it bolted up, plus 2 - 300 for extras.

The 4l80e's price is the same, everything to bolt it in, plus some.

The NV4500 would probally cost about 1000 - 1200 if I were to buy it outright, which is getting me a perfect transmission, rather than needing to do some work.

 

[sandawgk5]

Not calling you out but do you have a hookup for a 4l80E? The cheapest I can find is ~$2000 for a trans and ~$700-$1100 fpr a controller. I still say NV4500. Spending that much money might as well get what you really want and the manual has a way deaper first. Almost 3X as deep. As a matter of fact 2nd on a 4500 is deeper than first in a 4l80E.

Ira

 

[Russell]

Yeah, the 4l80e I'd be buying is bolted to the back of my 6.0L at the moment, which is why the NV4500 is so expensive to bolt up, I need a special bellhousing and such for it.

I think I'll just hold out and do the NV4500 regardless...

 

[pennsylvaniaboy]

ok here's my thoughts. not sure on your application but if you r gonna tow etc id hold out for the NV4500. for towing i like shifting and selecting my gears, plus no chance of frying etc. if u are DD and not towing and dont really have a prefernce then save the $change and apply it elsewhere. i love stick shift trucks so my vote is go NV4500

 

[DEMON44]

Naekid!







I've got 2 nv4500's 1- '98 dodge 4wd version 1- '94 Dodge 2wd version. I'm currently useing the 4wd in my Dodge as its factory running gear......BUT if i can find a NV5600. I can do a drop in swap in my truck for that and sell off the original to recoup some cost.

 

[Russell]

Well, I just drove the NV4500 I'd be buying, and offered $500 for it...

The transmission ground when I tried to downshift into 2nd, and I noticed that both 2nd and 3rd had much more slop than the other 3 gears. I'm counting on needing new syncros, and some shifter assembly parts. Since it has like 250 000 miles, I should probally count probally new bearings / bushings as well.

I feel that if I spend 500 on the transmission now, then put another 500 - 600 into it freshening it up, then I'm up to a fairly reasonable price to pay for a good one straight up elsewhere.

Of course, I'll need to buy a new bellhousing, clutch kit etc to bolt it onto an older engine in an older truck, but that doesn't really count, lol

If he takes 500, then I'll probally have spent about 1100 - 1200 on the transmission itself, 500 - 600 on the bellhousing / hydro conversion, then around 600 for the clutch kit / flywheel, but it also has the transmission ready to bolt onto the back of the 6.0L, and ready to give me years of reliable service.

 

[iwaxmyjimmy]

Youll blow the 4L80E up. Go NV4500, lately we have had alot of 4L80Es burned up in the shop.

 

[uao85]

Dang I have a place in town that has nv4500s for $500, even though they are 2wd, its easy to change it to a 4wd. On the other hand I did love the 4l80e I had in my blazer with a 6.0, using a ratchet shifter was fun as hell banging through the gears. I am at the same crossroad currently with my m1008, since eventually I will want to do another 6.0 swap. Goodluck.

Remington

 

[Russell]

My 6.0L fell through months ago.

I'm back to a regular old 350 with an SM465. I still plan on putting an NV4500 as my next driveline upgrade. I'll eventually swap out the 350 with either an 8.1L or a Duramax, but I don't think I'll be doing that for a few years yet. Rather get the bodywork done and just drive the thing than spend another 6 years in the garage :P