NV3500 in a 740

The only thread I can find on here regarding this is one from 4 years ago that makes a few assumptions, but doesn't have a difinitive answer. I realize it's a crappy transmission in terms of hotrodding a vehicle, but that's not what I'm doing.

I have a C1500 4.3 TBI 5 spd with only 130k miles that runs excellently, but the body is trashed. It would take too much money to get it safe to drive again. I have an '86 740 with a decent body on it, but the motor is on its last leg. The interior is hell, but can be stripped. I want to put the good motor/tranny in the good body.

Looking to get some experience with motor swaps while ending up with a pretty nifty little car to drive around.

If I'm reading correctly, I should be able to do the swap, but I may need to relocate the fuse and relay panels and use a "speed" style shifter. Has anyone else done this swap and ran into a problem that I'm overlooking?

http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/general-4x4-discussion/1666081-pinto-bouncer.html
See shifter on pg 5.

Oh, that's rather neat! Thank you very much. I think I may be able to make something like that without too much trouble.

Thats a terrible transmission for a car (hell, it wasn't a very good transmission in a truck either), but if you must....

Nv3500

Why the hate for the NV3500? I'm just starting a v8 conversion with a 960 and was thinking about this tranny. What about it makes it so bad?

Just Google it instead of asking something people have answered a million times online. They are made of glass, it doesn't take much to break them.

4.3 with about 130 hp and a gazillion pound glass tranny in a 740.

wouldn't it be easier to send both vehicles to the junk yard and then buy a running 740 for like 1000 dollars.

why do you think the 740 motor is on its last leg blown headgasket or ran with no oil for a long time? why not fix it right instead of putting a downgraded motor in and all the associated fab work and time. Im all for chevy swaps in volvo's as long as its an lsX or at least a late model fuel injected motor.

I see the internet lore experts here have spoken. The Nv3500 is a very good trans and stronger than most people say. They are FAR better than any piece of crap T5 and the T-bricks community seems to put the T5 on a golden pedestal. These transmissions came in full size trucks that weigh twice as much as your 740 with twice the torque. I have one behind a healthy 480hp 383 in my s10 and thrash on it regularly, although sticky tires might kill it. Yes the first gear is a bit steep and is for towing mostly. The 96 and later trans had a taller first that was more car friendly. The shifter may be a little far forward for any volvo, you would need to find a 98-02 s10 trans with the shifter moved 6" back.

Im not even a big fan of domestic or jdm swaps into volvos but I say try it, better than letting the car rot away.

close gear ratios for a truck 5spd...

actually a getrag internally.

integrated bell housing makes it tough to use in anything other than GM engines.

kendogg said:

Thats a terrible transmission for a car (hell, it wasn't a very good transmission in a truck either), but if you must....

Click to expand...

Rated for less torque than a later T5, but they do come with Chrysler bell housings too.