SM465 LS MANUAL SWAP

[75BEASTK20]

I agree with everyone regarding the transmission choices. If she's gonna be a 2WD street demon and you're hell bent on a manual - go with an M22 Rock Crusher, but don't expect any good gas mileage, depending on your rear end ratio - but she WILL giddy up and go and that Muncie whine is unmistakable! Make SURE you have a heavy duty clutch assembly! A Tremec 5 speed is a good option so you're not screaming on the highway. You could also add a Gear Vendor overdrive to it, but BIG BUCKS there. Think around $3500. I just can't justify that price. All depends on WHAT you're gonna use the truck for. "Build it for how you're gonna drive it". I have an Sm-465 with a NP-205, 14 bolt full floater rear diff with 3:73 limited slip (got lucky there), in my 3/4 ton and in my opinion that's the best for a 4x4. I can still cruise comfortably at 65 mph, but it is NOT a 100mph truck. Mine is not going to be a racing truck obviously - but it will be a torque monster. She should almost be able to ALMOST climb vertical. HAHA Been there, done the 2wd street demon, with big roots supercharger, 2-4's, A BUILT TH-400, and all. Fun? Oh yeah. But for off road I'm sticking with the SM465 and NP205 transfer case. Bullet proof. Just my 2 cents. Square bodies weren't really aero dynamic for street demons. They're a brick pushing a LOT of air. (ever wonder why you're constantly replacing windshields?) But I still love 'em.

 

[Ricko1966]

A born Warner T10 would be a better choice than an m22 for a street truck,unless it's 1/4 mile only. M22 is close ratio so you'll need high rear gears to launch it and rpm drop between shifts isn't very big so it will be 3 shifts real quick to get up to speed. And not as much ratio to choose from in town.
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[idahovette]

Sorry @Ricko1966 I call ******** about the M22. Got one in the Chevelle and it works fine. 3.31 posi, ya just gotta learn how to drive it. The world is NOT full if SHIFTLESS bastards ......ya gotta have a pedal car in your life.......also in my town 2nd gear works really well and every one can her you coming right, @75BEASTK20

 

[Ricko1966]

Sorry @Ricko1966 I call ******** about the M22. Got one in the Chevelle and it works fine. 3.31 posi, ya just gotta learn how to drive it. The world is NOT full if SHIFTLESS bastards ......ya gotta have a pedal car in your life.......also in my town 2nd gear works really well and every one can her you coming right, @75BEASTK20

Damn near every car I've owned has been manual,some close ratio,some wide. I prefer wide on a driver,especially something I might put some weight in or behind. Even the steepest T10 would make a 3.31 equivalent to a 3.90 in 1st , just realized you have an ls6 454 you have big torque in a light car. A t10 you'd just boil the tires

 

[75BEASTK20]

Yeah you can definitely hear the beast comin' idahovette LOL The old magnaflows sound great. Switchin' over to Borla though with 3" stainless all the way. And yes you definitely can hear an M22 comin' at ya.

 

[75BEASTK20]

I wonder if there's a way to put a Ford Toploader 4 speed behind a Chevy. I had one behind a 428CJ and she was a tough tranny.

 

[Ricko1966]

I wonder if there's a way to put a Ford Toploader 4 speed behind a Chevy. I had one behind a 428CJ and she was a tough tranny.

Yes there is,and GM used them factory on GTOs for a few years because none of the GM transmissions at the time were durable enough for a big block pontiac.