SM465 LS MANUAL SWAP

[tjw82c10]

As the title states, yes im going to try and swap in an sm465. Finally listened and am ditching the 700r4. My buddy has the trans and me and him are going to do a trade for his sm465 for my 700r4 with complete clutch and master cylinder assembly. Im sure its out there but I cant find a guide on this swap anywhere nor are there any genuine good videos on you tube. First question is, do I need to build this transmission up to match my ls or can i do a simple rebuild and it would be good. Second question is the bell housing, This is coming off of a 350 engine which I thought could bolt up to my LS or do I have to get aftermarket? Third question is, how do I get my speedo to work with the trans if its not a direct hook up? 4th question is the drive shaft, where can i get one? Any links would be appreciated if a post does exist and any knowledge would help as well. Thank you.

 

[Chevy 88]

As the title states, yes im going to try and swap in an sm465. Finally listened and am ditching the 700r4. My buddy has the trans and me and him are going to do a trade for his sm465 for my 700r4 with complete clutch and master cylinder assembly. Im sure its out there but I cant find a guide on this swap anywhere nor are there any genuine good videos on you tube. First question is, do I need to build this transmission up to match my ls or can i do a simple rebuild and it would be good. Second question is the bell housing, This is coming off of a 350 engine which I thought could bolt up to my LS or do I have to get aftermarket? Third question is, how do I get my speedo to work with the trans if its not a direct hook up? 4th question is the drive shaft, where can i get one? Any links would be appreciated if a post does exist and any knowledge would help as well. Thank you.

I think this will be a major undertaking.

Could be wrong, but it sounds like a lot of time and money and maybe some frustration.

 

[tjw82c10]

I think this will be a major undertaking.

Could be wrong, but it sounds like a lot of time and money and maybe some frustration.

So the good news is i can take a majority of the parts from his truck and swap it over to mine like the clutch pedal and stuff like that so its not just the trans, its more of the additional stuff like a mating system and if its hydraulic or not

 

[Ricko1966]

Shouldn't be a much bigger deal than most auto to manual swaps. I believe the sm465 will bolt to the ls block with the exception of 1 bolt. You will need an ls flywheel,you will need a pilot bearing, clutch disc and presdure plate will probably require some thought and trial and error. I'd try the sm465 disc you have in an Las presdure plate and flywheel,make sure the center doesn't hit the crank bolts make sure the sm465 throw out bearing looks like it will hit the ls pressure plate correctly. Are your pedals hydraulic or z bar? Is your transmission hydraulic or z bar?

 

[tjw82c10]

Shouldn't be a much bigger deal than most auto to manual swaps. I believe the sm465 will bolt to the ls block with the exception of 1 bolt. You will need an ls flywheel,you will need a pilot bearing, clutch disc and presdure plate will probably require some thought and trial and error. I'd try the sm465 disc you have in an Las presdure plate and flywheel,make sure the center doesn't hit the crank bolts make sure the sm465 throw out bearing looks like it will hit the ls pressure plate correctly. Are your pedals hydraulic or z bar? Is your transmission hydraulic or z bar?

tbh im not entirely sure, I havent had a full chance to look at it. What does all that mean.

 

[Ricko1966]

tbh im not entirely sure, I havent had a full chance to look at it. What does all that mean.

What year and model is your buddy's truck? If you mount the 465 in stock location you will use a stock drive shaft for a 465 truck. Why does the 465 need a rebuild? If your buddy is swapping you pedals that have a clutch master cylinder than his pedals are hydraulic. If the transmission is from the same truck it is hydraulic also.

 

[tjw82c10]

What year and model is your buddy's truck? If you mount the 465 in stock location you will use a stock drive shaft for a 465 truck. Why does the 465 need a rebuild? If your buddy is swapping you pedals that have a clutch master cylinder than his pedals are hydraulic. If the transmission is from the same truck it is hydraulic also.

So its a 1991 but it has a 350 marine motor. It used to be a 305 and an auto that was 4x4 but the previous owner made it a .50 and 2wd manual. So its hard to say.

 

[Fat 454]

ok- my 10c... why do you want to do this swap ( what kind of truck do you have ?? ). An SM465 is basically a very heavy duty iron 3 speed with a crawler 1st gear. Its great for what is was designed for - towing, and works well in 4x4 applications that need torque and low speed driving in tough conditions. If that is what you want - go for it.

If however you have a 2wd street truck you DO NOT want to do this swap ( for all the reasons noted above ). It is slow to shift, heavy, and will not provide the range in torque / speed for the street. A much better options would be something from the Tremec 6 speed range - TR56 / 6060 / Magnum etc. These are aluminum 6 speed top loader boxes that are factory OEM for many GM LS applications. There is heaps of info on swapping these into trucks and cars available on YT etc.

Lastly. if you need to stay old school, but 2wd street - a Muncie M20/21/22 4 speed ( as found in camaros/ vettes of the '70's etc. ) would suit much better. either of these "street" boxes will be lighter, easy to fit, reliable and provide the driving range and "shift-ability" you are looking for in a street truck.

The bell housing of a SBC/BBC is the same shape and will fit, however the number of bolt holes is different to the LS

Speedo drives - do some YT / google searches on the specific parts you need to match together once you have decided on the box you are going to use - someone will have already solved this

Drive shafts - I used to live in NM - there will be shops in Albuqueque that can help - again once you have fitted up the parts in the truck and taken measurements - try Wilson's U joint on Phoenix, or Albuquerque Drive shaft on Summer.

Good luck

 

[SquareRoot]

I think this will be a major undertaking.

Could be wrong, but it sounds like a lot of time and money and maybe some frustration.

Mind over matter. Love my NV4500 after taking out my TH400 and smashing it against the wall and shattering it in pieces! Best swap ever.

 

[Fat 454]

yes - right didn't mention the NV4500 as I've never experienced owing one. I have a 91 with the OEM NV3500 5 speed. ( which drives nice - easy shift, good power bands with a TBI 350 ). Again this is an OK for a "street" truck, however prolly not HD enuf for a strip racer,( read abused clutch dumping )...

 

[Jblack6527]

As someone with a 2wd C10 with a SM465, don't waste your time. If you want to swap in a manual, get something that's worth the time and effort.
At least a NV4500, but preferably a tremec 5 or 6 speed.
It will be more money, but not that much more work, and will be a lot nicer to drive.

Look up Bowler performance transmissions and the kits they sell for these trucks.

edit: there's a reason your buddy is happy to trade with you.

 

[Turbo4whl]

edit: there's a reason your buddy is happy to trade with you.

This ^^^

@tjw82c10
"I'm sure its out there but I cant find a guide on this swap anywhere nor are there any genuine good videos on you tube."

This also tells you no one is doing this swap.

 

[Turbo4whl]

Mind over matter. Love my NV4500 after taking out my TH400 and smashing it against the wall and shattering it in pieces! Best swap ever.

Unless it was trash, you could have sold the TH400. But smashing it might have been rewarding?

 

[SquareRoot]

Unless it was trash, you could have sold the TH400. But smashing it might have been rewarding?

Trying to get into Edelbrocks mindset. So far, it's a no-go. Lol

 

[Chevydad]

TKX. Have one in my Chevelle. Wouldn’t hesitate to use one in the C10 if I wanted it manual.