NV4500 vs NV3500

[dmacke01]

Hello. I previously owned a 92 C1500 RCLB with the 4.3 and NV4500. Foolishly, I sold it because I didn't need it at the time and I thought it wouldn't be a problem finding another one. I'm looking to get back into a '94 and earlier with a manual and having a heck of time finding a truck with the NV4500 (still interested in the 4.3L, I think the V8 is overkill for me and the higher MPG is welcome). Should I settle for the NV3500?

My use case for the truck isn't demanding: beyond driving around town, I'll do occasional dump runs, tow 5,000 lbs <50 miles 1-2 times per year.

The main reasons for wanting the NV4500:
1. Stouter transmission meaning I won't have to reasonably worry about it wearing out behind a V6
2. The low gear is convenient for handling the hills in Seattle.

#1 is nice but if the NV3500 is behind a V6, is my worry without merit?
#2 isn't really that big of a deal since I rarely go into Seattle.

Thanks in advance. I appreciate any insight or advice.

 

[Sean Buick 76]

NV-3500 and V6 should last forever

 

[Sean Buick 76]

In fact for light duty use the NV-3500 is probably a better trans

 

[CumminsFever]

Behind a 4.3, the nv3500 would be my preference. It shifts easier, and with less rotating mass, it theoretically would take less energy to turn. The nv3500 is a stout transmission when not subjected to shock loads or excessive power levels. Don't turbo the 4.3, and it will be fine!

 

[Dropped88]

I put a nv3500 in a suburban behind a v8 and it held up for years and those gmt800 suburbans weigh more

 

[skylark]

Don't worry about the NV3500 in your application.

 

[99xcss4]

I will say this I am a huge fan of the early nv4500 with the lower first gear that being said I do not know and can not say if you actually need it or not gm put the nv3500 bihind the 4.3 both tbi and vortec as well as putting it behind the 305 tbi and 305 vortec they even used it behind both the 350 tbi and 350 vortec a 350 vortec makes around 330 torque stock I think do not know for shore but I want to say that the nv3500 is rated for a 300ftlbs of torque so is a 350 vortec too much that I do not know but I can tell you this I a going to be putting the dodge version of the nv3500 to the test when I put it behind a 5.9l 360 magnum dodge version of nv3500 only came behind 318 magnum and 3.9 v6 magnum so we will see how long it lasts when ever I get around to it I am no where near ready to work on it and I still have lots of thing to do on my gmt400 project pus other things that I am interested in

 

[99xcss4]

imho the best manual transmissions gm ever put in their trucks are sm420 sm465 and the early nv4500

 

[fancyTBI]

Had an NV3500 behind a 4.3 for years. Good light duty truck transmission. You’d be fine with that.

 

[FrankieD61]

Nv3500 woes… I’m so happy I saw this thread… I’m getting ready to basically get my 93 on the road. The motor from my old smashed truck is in everything looks beautiful… I went to go change the fluids on everything. Tcase: the fluid was blood red and nice, the rear and front differential are fresh rebuild so I put nice fresh fluid in both, but the tranny with its nice, shiny, core shifter.. god that thing.. I pulled the drain plug in it and it was covered in some very pretty glitter and the fill plug too; I figured with 235,445 miles on it it was normal. But the fluid and was way to full with glitter. So I decided to stick my finger in the hole.. bad idea I know and found chunks of metal…. So now I gotta replace the friggin thing. Found a donor.. now I just gotta do it….