5 Speed Tranny for older 5.7L 350?

[dietz4ibanez]

Hey I have 99 Chevy silverado Z71 with a V8 5.7L 350. I would love to put a 5 spped transmission in my truck! Has this been done? Or are there any suggestions?

[dietz4ibanez]

Yeah I am guessing that switching the truck to a 5 speed manual would be entirely a waist of time! My wish is that they would put out an automatic universal 5 speed I think like the one that you can get for the vortex max. Or at least I think that you can get a 5 speed for that engine

[JasonR302]

I'm still getting my 5 replies in, so I'll reply here out of interest and necessity.

 

I'm sure it can be done. I've converted a different (non GM Truck) vehicle from auto-to-manual before and it's really not a big deal. Both versions of the truck roll down the line so there are provisions on the body for both transmissions. I'm not sure what transmission would have been behind a 5.7L, if there was one, but I drove a friend's '98 with a Vortec 5.0L and a 5-speed. I think that transmisison was an NV3500, but I'm not sure. There were 4wd versions of the bigger/tougher NV4500 but I don't know if GM has ever used it. Some research is in order. Work versions and diesel versions of these trucks were made so 5-speeds were surely available in that chassis I'm just not positive it was behind the 5.7L.

 

That said, unless your really enamored with this particular truck or unless it was never offered with a 5-speed, it won't be worth it to do this financially. It'll be cheaper, easier, and you'll enjoy better resale with a factory 5-speed truck.

[JasonR302]

PS: I'm with you on wanting to make the swap. I really detest driving automatics and dislike how they suddenly expire most of the time. I'll be converting my '93 in the next year or so.