Who has done the LS swap, but used a manual transmission?

[ZBRA]

Everyone I have seen is mated to a slush box. Where are the manuals? What 4WD manual transmissions with overdrive will hold up to the torque of the LS motors?


Thanks!

[Heavy_Metal_Thunder_81]

GM NV4500 would work.

[Simo]

GM NV4500 would work.

x2 on the GM NV4500 ideally. feasibly an AX-15 & NV3550 5 spds or NSG370 (6 spd) found in later model XJ/TJ jeeps could be adapted. Novak and Advance adapters cite they can hold up to V8 power but these are not heavy duty trans like the NV4500. FWIW i have an SM465 4spd behind a 5.3L LM7 in an offroad rig and while it handles the load no problem it shifts like an old dump truck.

A quick search of 'max input torque ratings' for some of these offers the following informal list for comparison:
- NV4500, 460 ftlbs
- AX15, sources suggest similar to NV3550
- NV3550, 300 ftlbs
- NSG370, 272 ftlbs
- SM465, 465 ftlbs (non synchro 4spd)
Other 4spd options NP435, SM420, T18, ...

Not sure what LS you're planning on, but a search for a run of the mill LM7 suggested they can output around 325 ftlbs peak torque stock.

[ZBRA]

I really appreciate all that information. I definitely don't want a non-synchronized 4spd. I was hoping for something synchronized, smooth, and with at least 5 gears. Sounds like they exist, but they will have a expiration date even behind a 5.3L. Ideally, I would prefer a 6.0L or 6.2L.


I believe the NV3550 can be found mated to the 4.8L, but I'm not going through the expense and time of this swap to only have a 4.8L.

[Simo]

The Novak site has a helpful tech vault and they offer a bunch of adapters for different transmission options should you choose to go that route (select the 5 speed drop down to view half a dozen options here)

https://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/transmissions/manual/

Though rare, there are some factory 6.0L NV4500 trucks out there so you wouldn't need any aftermarket adapters just the 6.0L flywheel and related donor parts.

[ZBRA]

Great info! Thanks again!