NV4500 or Chev MT8 or GMC MW3
I have approx 170,000 miles on my 1993 standard
three clutches
two slave cyls
one pivot ball and throw out arm
one set of carbon fiber sycro's (at 170,000 miles)
new seals and shifter pad (transfer case--again at 170,000 miles)
one input shaft
The difference in the mpg between the standard and the auto more or less makes up for the repairs. I do treat this thing like a truck and it has many many hard miles hauling gravel and off road 4 x 4 ing as well as a lot of miles towing (appox 5,500 to 6,000 lbs) travel trailer.
Last time I had the trans out the shop said it was just like brand new inside (gears and such) but the input shaft had been scored by a pilot bearing turning to powder.
Then there is the old solid mass vs dual mass flywheel can of worms, I prefer a stock (from factory) dual mass setup while others have converted them to solid flywheels with varying degress of success depending on who did the conversion and if the vibration damper was installed as well.
There have also been a fair amount of changes to the tans setup over the years as well, some gear ratio changes and some moving around of the slave cyl setup, and of course the production change to a solid flywheel.
For more info (sometimes conflicting) on the trans go to
www.newventuregear.com
www.high-impact.net
www.JBconversions.com
www.advanceadapters.com
And the final question would I change my NV4500 for an auto -- NEVER ( :
If and when you do get one I can give you a lot of advice on how to service it.
Al