383 to nv4500

[manderson17]

Can anybody give me any information on doing this swap? I am wanting to put this in my 70 w200 crewcab. I have the truck currently tore all the way down to bare frame and starting the process of putting it back together and would like a better transmission than the original one in it. I have a set of 78 chevy 3/4 ton axles that are going in with 4.10 gears that i have put a disc brake conversion on the rear 14 bolt.

[712edf]

You may want to search not only here but some of the other truck forums.

Your dilemma is that transmission was never offered behind a big block engine, therefore no bellhousing exists. You might could take a big block bellhousing intended for the NP435 or more likely A833 4 speed & fit the NV4500 to it, but then you still have to cobble together a clutch/TOB arrangement.

Bucky

[manderson17]

What would be a better replacement for the transmission that I have now.

[BigBlockTrucks]

What would be a better replacement for the transmission that I have now.

It depends on what you want out of it. I recall a guy in Carlisle pa that had a GM 4L80 mounted behind a 440 in a road runner convertible. He used an aftermarket bell to make it work.
Passon performance offers a 4 speed based on mopar’s 4 speed from the 60’s but has overdrive.
None of these options are cheap. Most big block 4 speed bell housings from the 60’s are going for $500 or more depending on original application. After that you can add price of trans, clutch, drive shaft and related components.
The prices are the whole reason why there is still a 727 in my 60 pickup with a 383.

[Jim100]

What trans do you have now?

[BigBlockTrucks]

What trans do you have now?

I still have the 727 in my 60 pickup with 3.73 gears.
The 65 has a np 435 4 speed with 4.10 gears. I can’t justify the price of overdrive trans in a truck I drive a couple thousand miles per year mostly local.

[BigBlockTrucks]

Guess I messed that up. I thought I was answering the OP.

[manderson17]

What trans do you have now?

I have the original 4 speed np435 that came factory in these trucks. At least that is what I think it is.

[Jim100]

Is it shot? Or does the nv4500 have a fifth gear? That would be nice.

[712edf]

NV4500 is a 5 speed. 4th is direct, 5th is OD.

Bucky

[PwrWgnDrvr]

What trans do you have now?

I have the original 4 speed np435 that came factory in these trucks. At least that is what I think it is.

Some 383 trucks have the NP 445, which is a superb trans! It will say on the vin plate what it came with.

[BigBlockTrucks]

What trans do you have now?

I have the original 4 speed np435 that came factory in these trucks. At least that is what I think it is.

Some 383 trucks have the NP 445, which is a superb trans! It will say on the vin plate what it came with.

What was the first year the 445 was available?

[manderson17]

I will check the nameplate and let you know. Thanks for the help

[PwrWgnDrvr]

I have the original 4 speed np435 that came factory in these trucks. At least that is what I think it is.

Some 383 trucks have the NP 445, which is a superb trans! It will say on the vin plate what it came with.

What was the first year the 445 was available?

I don't know, but would guess maybe 69 or 70. Narrowing it down, its not listed in the 66 FSM and I have 2 70 trucks with it.

[manderson17]

I checked and it is a np435.

[Handygun]

I would start looking at 4" stroke crankshafts for a small block If I was thinking about a 4500.