Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding?

Ellwood · 03-15-2007, 02:46 AM

I have the same 'ol story everybody else has here with this tranny. It's mated to a 4.3 TBI with 200+k miles on it. Unfortunately, I am suffering from the dreaded whining in every gear except fourth and hearing what seems to be a faulty throwout bearing. After browsing this forum for some time, I can't come to a conclusion as to what direction I should take.

I have seen plenty of people on here claiming that these transmissions aren't even suited to hold down a stack of paper. Others claim that they are decent options for our trucks. My question is, are these transmissions worth rebuilding if A) I'm not willing to fork over almost 2k for a T56 swap, and B) I'm also not willing to convert to auto, which seems it would be of comparable cost to the T56. I'm seeing 1,200 to 1,300 quotes for NV3500 rebuilds, which seems out of this world. I'm not looking to go the performance route with this truck; it's a daily driver that sees occasional dirt. What I am looking for is the best and most economical solution to get rid of that hideous whine and increase the tranny's longevity, should that be the reasonable option to take.

In the case the option of a rebuild seems to be a poor choice in some of your opinions, I would like to hear what a more feasible solution would be. Other transmissions besides the NV3500 would be interesting to look into, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done to get them to fit and, of course, the cost.

Any input would be greatly appreciated. I know this is a very general question that can have many answers, but at this point I can use the help. Thanks!

BadS15v8 · 03-15-2007, 01:41 PM

I would swap to an automatic.... That's what i just did, I swapped to a 700R4. I have a low mileage Rebuilt 4X4 Getrag for sale that came out the truck.

Ellwood · 03-15-2007, 02:01 PM

Did you swap the 700r4 when you had the 4.3 or when you had the v8 (I'm assuming from your name that you did the v8 swap already).

edit: My bad, I just found your 700r4 thread and it answered my question for me. Bravo on the write up BTW. Still got those adapters available?

BadS15v8 · 03-15-2007, 02:39 PM

yeah I got three, it so the F/S Tranny's 4-Bolt Output can bolt up to the S-10's 5-Bolts Trasfer Case.

Ellwood · 03-15-2007, 02:45 PM

After reading your thread, it sounds like the 700r4 route may be the way to go, especially seeing as how you paid very little for your parts in comparison to the T56 swap. I see why you went with a K stamped unit. How did you get the history on the tranny you bought?

BadS15v8 · 03-15-2007, 03:53 PM

The guy that owns the junk yard went to school with my mom and hooks me up. He won't buy any vehicles without knowing about them. 80% of them come form salvage auctions, 15% come from me, and 5% come from other people. No joke every car I've junked he's got.

If you were around this way I could get you the same deal, $225 for Tranny, Converter, All Hoses & Cables, FlexPlate, Throttle Cable Bracket, etc.. Anything you needed with it.

700R4's are the easiest Over Drive tranny to install, unlike the 4l60E that has to have a computer, the 700R4 just has to have a TV Cable & TCC Lock-Up which is just three wires that you can run into your brake switch.

BadS15v8 · 03-15-2007, 03:54 PM

Also unlike a Getarg ot T56, an Automatic can be built to withstand all most anything...

MINTSICK · 03-15-2007, 04:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BadS15v8

Also unlike a Getarg ot T56, an Automatic can be built to withstand all most anything...

I'd think a built T56 could handle just as much if not more power than a built 700r4, however there are more automatic transmissions out there that are up to the task of high power levels. The nv3500 is capable of handling more power, it's just not made to be abused like a typical "performance" transmission would be (powershifting, etc.).

tippmann243 · 03-15-2007, 04:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BadS15v8

Also unlike a Getarg ot T56, an Automatic can be built to withstand all most anything...

t56 > 700r4

you have never had a t56 so you dont know what your missing

Ellwood · 03-15-2007, 08:35 PM

The more I think about it the more a 700r4 sounds appealing. I can get them for comparable cost out here, but the major disadvantage I have is not knowing how many miles were on the tranny after a rebuild, if it was rebuilt at all. The price just can't be beat, especially considering that I can throw one of these in at a cost that is less than what it would take to rebuild. I'm keeping an eye on your thread.

BadS15v8 · 03-16-2007, 12:57 AM

Look at prices of a built 700R4 to a built T56? Yeah you get a few extra gears and the ability to drop the clutch and spin the hell outta em. You gotta look at the long run which is cheaper to maintain?

Would you rather pay to have a auto rebuilt or a T56.. If I had $2000 to drop for a T56, I'd probaly do it, but until then I'll stick to my $200 700R4 that I can have rebuilt everytime for less than $550.

Maverick2664 · 11-06-2009, 01:42 PM

normally i would have gone with a 700 in my truck, but with the power that im making, it would eat them alive... and its well over 2k to buy bowtie overdrives high end units... ultimately i decided on a t56... theres quite a few 10 second vehicles out there with the stock t56 in them, thats what sold me

but anyways, if i was in your shoes, i would either look at the 700r4's, or a used nv3500, the cheaper route would probably 700r4, i have a junkyard that my shop gets our 350 blocks from that sells a 700r4 for only $100, so far i havent seen a nv3500 for less than $700 on ebay

but keep in mind, if you go automatic, you also have to buy a flexplate, torque converter, and possibly change your driveshaft... things that you wouldnt have to do if you just bought a replacement nv3500, it would just bolt in place

big gear head · 11-06-2009, 02:05 PM

I've rebuilt a lot of T5 transmissions and I've had several of the early S10 trucks, but I don't know a lot about the transmissions that were used after the T5. How many manual transmissions have been used in the S trucks from '82 up to the end of the S truck?

View Poll Results: To rebuild or not to rebuild?
Rebuild the NV3500.	4	66.67%
Get a new transmission, buddy.	2	33.33%
Voters: 6. You may not vote on this poll

03-15-2007, 02:46 AM	#1
Ellwood Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 275 Location: Riverside, CA User is: OffLine	Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? I have the same 'ol story everybody else has here with this tranny. It's mated to a 4.3 TBI with 200+k miles on it. Unfortunately, I am suffering from the dreaded whining in every gear except fourth and hearing what seems to be a faulty throwout bearing. After browsing this forum for some time, I can't come to a conclusion as to what direction I should take. I have seen plenty of people on here claiming that these transmissions aren't even suited to hold down a stack of paper. Others claim that they are decent options for our trucks. My question is, are these transmissions worth rebuilding if A) I'm not willing to fork over almost 2k for a T56 swap, and B) I'm also not willing to convert to auto, which seems it would be of comparable cost to the T56. I'm seeing 1,200 to 1,300 quotes for NV3500 rebuilds, which seems out of this world. I'm not looking to go the performance route with this truck; it's a daily driver that sees occasional dirt. What I am looking for is the best and most economical solution to get rid of that hideous whine and increase the tranny's longevity, should that be the reasonable option to take. In the case the option of a rebuild seems to be a poor choice in some of your opinions, I would like to hear what a more feasible solution would be. Other transmissions besides the NV3500 would be interesting to look into, depending on the amount of work that needs to be done to get them to fit and, of course, the cost. Any input would be greatly appreciated. I know this is a very general question that can have many answers, but at this point I can use the help. Thanks! Last edited by Ellwood : 03-15-2007 at 02:54 AM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-15-2007, 01:41 PM	#2
BadS15v8 Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,034 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? I would swap to an automatic.... That's what i just did, I swapped to a 700R4. I have a low mileage Rebuilt 4X4 Getrag for sale that came out the truck.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-15-2007, 02:01 PM	#3
Ellwood Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 275 Location: Riverside, CA User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? Did you swap the 700r4 when you had the 4.3 or when you had the v8 (I'm assuming from your name that you did the v8 swap already). edit: My bad, I just found your 700r4 thread and it answered my question for me. Bravo on the write up BTW. Still got those adapters available? Last edited by Ellwood : 03-15-2007 at 02:03 PM.
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03-15-2007, 02:39 PM	#4
BadS15v8 Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,034 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? yeah I got three, it so the F/S Tranny's 4-Bolt Output can bolt up to the S-10's 5-Bolts Trasfer Case.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-15-2007, 02:45 PM	#5
Ellwood Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 275 Location: Riverside, CA User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? After reading your thread, it sounds like the 700r4 route may be the way to go, especially seeing as how you paid very little for your parts in comparison to the T56 swap. I see why you went with a K stamped unit. How did you get the history on the tranny you bought?
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-15-2007, 03:53 PM	#6
BadS15v8 Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,034 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? The guy that owns the junk yard went to school with my mom and hooks me up. He won't buy any vehicles without knowing about them. 80% of them come form salvage auctions, 15% come from me, and 5% come from other people. No joke every car I've junked he's got. If you were around this way I could get you the same deal, $225 for Tranny, Converter, All Hoses & Cables, FlexPlate, Throttle Cable Bracket, etc.. Anything you needed with it. 700R4's are the easiest Over Drive tranny to install, unlike the 4l60E that has to have a computer, the 700R4 just has to have a TV Cable & TCC Lock-Up which is just three wires that you can run into your brake switch.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-15-2007, 03:54 PM	#7
BadS15v8 Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,034 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? Also unlike a Getarg ot T56, an Automatic can be built to withstand all most anything...
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03-15-2007, 04:05 PM	#8
MINTSICK Akerfeldt Age: 27 Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 11,472 Location: Danvers, Ma User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? Quote: Originally Posted by BadS15v8 Also unlike a Getarg ot T56, an Automatic can be built to withstand all most anything... I'd think a built T56 could handle just as much if not more power than a built 700r4, however there are more automatic transmissions out there that are up to the task of high power levels. The nv3500 is capable of handling more power, it's just not made to be abused like a typical "performance" transmission would be (powershifting, etc.).
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-15-2007, 04:31 PM	#9
tippmann243 the youngest has been Age: 22 Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 3,200 Location: FLORISSANT MO User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? Quote: Originally Posted by BadS15v8 Also unlike a Getarg ot T56, an Automatic can be built to withstand all most anything... t56 > 700r4 you have never had a t56 so you dont know what your missing
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03-15-2007, 08:35 PM	#10
Ellwood Registered User Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 275 Location: Riverside, CA User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? The more I think about it the more a 700r4 sounds appealing. I can get them for comparable cost out here, but the major disadvantage I have is not knowing how many miles were on the tranny after a rebuild, if it was rebuilt at all. The price just can't be beat, especially considering that I can throw one of these in at a cost that is less than what it would take to rebuild. I'm keeping an eye on your thread.
	[Reply w/Quote]

03-16-2007, 12:57 AM	#11
BadS15v8 Registered User Age: 23 Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 1,034 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? Look at prices of a built 700R4 to a built T56? Yeah you get a few extra gears and the ability to drop the clutch and spin the hell outta em. You gotta look at the long run which is cheaper to maintain? Would you rather pay to have a auto rebuilt or a T56.. If I had $2000 to drop for a T56, I'd probaly do it, but until then I'll stick to my $200 700R4 that I can have rebuilt everytime for less than $550.
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-06-2009, 01:42 PM	#12
Maverick2664 Heavy Metal Body Man Age: 25 Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,846 Location: Erie PA User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? normally i would have gone with a 700 in my truck, but with the power that im making, it would eat them alive... and its well over 2k to buy bowtie overdrives high end units... ultimately i decided on a t56... theres quite a few 10 second vehicles out there with the stock t56 in them, thats what sold me but anyways, if i was in your shoes, i would either look at the 700r4's, or a used nv3500, the cheaper route would probably 700r4, i have a junkyard that my shop gets our 350 blocks from that sells a 700r4 for only $100, so far i havent seen a nv3500 for less than $700 on ebay but keep in mind, if you go automatic, you also have to buy a flexplate, torque converter, and possibly change your driveshaft... things that you wouldnt have to do if you just bought a replacement nv3500, it would just bolt in place
	[Reply w/Quote]

11-06-2009, 02:05 PM	#13
big gear head Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 322 Location: User is: OffLine	Re: Is the NV3500 even worth rebuilding? I've rebuilt a lot of T5 transmissions and I've had several of the early S10 trucks, but I don't know a lot about the transmissions that were used after the T5. How many manual transmissions have been used in the S trucks from '82 up to the end of the S truck?
	[Reply w/Quote]