Manual 5spd. to 6spd. swap

[kbert63]

I have a 1997 Chevy K2500HD. With the 6.5L turbo diesel, with the NV4500 5spd. manual. Does anyone know if the 6spd. manual is a direct replacement, or are there length, and shaft differences? I am also going to need a new clutch, are there any recommendations for that as well.

[trbankii]

The NV4500 has a 1 1/4” diameter output shaft of several spline counts. The NV5600 has either a 1 1/4” or 1 3/8” diameter output shaft and is 5 1/2” longer than the NV4500.

[a5150nut]

I have a 1997 Chevy K2500HD. With the 6.5L turbo diesel, with the NV4500 5spd. manual. Does anyone know if the 6spd. manual is a direct replacement, or are there length, and shaft differences? I am also going to need a new clutch, are there any recommendations for that as well.

Drivetrain.com out of Las Vegas is great for clutch and gear parts. Also very helpful with questions and support. I even had them answer a tech call on a Sunday. Shipping is quick. You can go back Duel Mass or Solid flywheel depending on what you have and what shape yours is in.

[trbankii]

To correct and expand on my earlier post, I misread my information and the diameters referred to the input shafts.

The early NV5600, which is found on 1999 and 2000 trucks had a 1-1/4" input shaft. The input shaft was beefed up to 1-3/8" for the 2001 model year and ran through the 2005 models.

Although the NV5600 and NV4500HD are similar, the two transmissions share almost no design similarities or interchangeable parts.

Both the NV4500 and NV5600 output splines are exactly the same 29 spline (4x4) and 31 spline(4x2).

[kbert63]

Do you know if the ZF S6-650 is a compatible swap. All I can find on the NV5600 is that it was exclusively for Dodge. So I would have to use an adapter plat on my bell housing for it to bolt up. The ZF. was used in GM. and Ford applications.

[a5150nut]

Do you know if the ZF S6-650 is a compatible swap. All I can find on the NV5600 is that it was exclusively for Dodge. So I would have to use an adapter plat on my bell housing for it to bolt up. The ZF. was used in GM. and Ford applications.

Call Drivetrain.com they can answer your questions.

[trbankii]

Do you know if the ZF S6-650 is a compatible swap.

The NV5600 has a separate bellhousing whereas the ZF has an integral case - so you would need a GM ZF for it to have the standard GM V8 bellhousing bolt pattern. The GM ZFs were pretty scarce, so you may have difficulty finding one and pay a premium for it.

Other differences are that the NVs are cast iron while the ZF is aluminum. So the ZF is lighter, but also quite a bit bigger in size - figure in some sheetmetal work to the floorplan or a lift to get it to fit.