[oldschool67]

Swapping a SBC V8 into a 2000 S10 ext. cab. Truck was an original 5 speed and putting a 5 speed back in. My question is will the V8 change the placement of the 5 speed? Original motor was a 2.2L. I understand that there are several factors involved here but I am trying to do the least amount of modification possible. My transmission builder tells me the transmission he built for me will fit perfectly in a square body S10 but says he is not sure about the later body style. All my S10's are the later body style so I am not too familiar with the older square bodies. Can anyone share some insight on this? I don't mind changing the shifter placement slightly but I don't want to try to reinvent the wheel.

 

[Rhotpursuit]

Bat Signal to @oldeerslayer.

 

[oldschool67]

Ok, what info can you give me?

 

[oldeerslayer]

Specifically what transmission did he build for you? Year, what was it out of, etc.
Normally when replacing a 2.2L with an NV1500 behind it, the NV3500 4.3 trans a lot of guys use bolts into exactly the same location. Depending on which transmission you are getting the shifter location could also create issues. Nothing that can't be easily cured.
@Harley and @manbearpig might also be able to shed some light on the subject. mbp knows a lot about S10 manual transmissions.

 

[manbearpig]

What I don't 100% know is if the crossmember is the same for NV1500 and NV3500. I would think they would be though. Without putting them up to each other, the crossmember looks to be the same on a T5 and a NV1500, but I've never owned a 4.3l. Hopefully op has a NV3500 out of a later S10, for stock shifter position and better gearing. You can make the forward position work, and I would do that for a better transmission, but not for anything New Venture.

 

[Harley]

There are 2 shifter positions for the factory NV3500. 95-97 are in a forward location and 98+ are in a rearward location. You'll want a 98+ NV3500 if you don't want to mess with the position. It's a big difference between the 2.

I also couldn't tell you if the NV1500 and NV3500 transmission crossmember is the same, but if not the correct crossmember should be a direct replacement.

V8 doesn't have to change the position of the transmission, but the radiator will need to be recessed forward in the core support otherwise the engine compartment will be very cramped. I believe there is some room to move the engine/trans back, but unless you're going for an all out performance build instead of a fun truck to rip around town I wouldn't mess with that much.

 

[oldschool67]

Specifically what transmission did he build for you? Year, what was it out of, etc.
Normally when replacing a 2.2L with an NV1500 behind it, the NV3500 4.3 trans a lot of guys use bolts into exactly the same location. Depending on which transmission you are getting the shifter location could also create issues. Nothing that can't be easily cured.
@Harley and @manbearpig might also be able to shed some light on the subject. mbp knows a lot about S10 manual transmissions.

Trans is a T-5 out of an 85 Camaro. Has bigger gears that the S10 T-5. Did use the tail shaft off the S10 trans to try to locate the shifter in as close to the S10 factory position as possible….. so now I have kind of a hybrid

 

[oldschool67]

Trans is a T-5 out of an 85 Camaro. Has bigger gears that the S10 T-5. Did use the tail shaft off the S10 trans to try to locate the shifter in as close to the S10 factory position as possible….. so now I have kind of a hybrid

 

[oldschool67]

Measurement on the last transmission shows stock s10 trans distance from bellhousing to center of shifter and same distance was measured on the Camaro T-5 with the S10 tailshaft. Right at 6 inches difference is what’s bothering me. I’m hoping the V8 will make up most of that difference!

 

[Mad Max]

One issue... The Camaro T5 is clocked to the passenger side 16*.
If you have the Camaro V8 bell housing, this will not be a problem.
IIRC, the Camaro bell has a hydraulic clutch too.

Overall, the first and second gen engine compartments have the same dimensions, and for the most part, they use the same suspension and rear ends.
Swap kits for V8 installation are the same for both. As was mentioned, the radiator location is the only consideration.

In your case, the engine won't take up the 6" you need to locate the shifter. They do sell different engine swap mounts that locate the engine forward or backwards in the chassis. This gives you more or less firewall clearance. The distributor being at the back of the engine is a consideration...

Each time I do an engine conversion, I try to locate the transmission in the stock location then I build engine mounts to suit wherever the engine sits..
Generally, this means (in many cases) you won't have to change drive shaft length if you use a similar transmission that was original to the vehicle.

I have a '78 Toyota Celica which I installed a Buick 3.5 aluminum V8 with a Camaro T5. I didn't have choices for a bell housing, so the transmission was clocked to the passenger side. Simple cure was to modify the shifter lever. I used the stock Toyota crossmember and added a small locating plate for the transmission mount.

I also installed an early Iron Duke with an '88 Turbo T bird T5 (5) speed into a 91 S10. The shifter was much further rearward, I simply cut a hole in the floor and screwed a panel into the original location. Worked very well and the shifter was in a much better location in relation to the driver. It did require having bucket seats though...