Okay, so I suck with the search function (always have despite being from the technology age). I was wondering what transmissions came in the Blazer/Jimmy. The obvious answer is automatic and manual. I'm assuming that the automatic is the 4l60 or some such like that. What is the manual transmission though? Is it a t-5? Is it an NV3500 (I really wish)? Does it differ from the 2wd to the 4wd? And what kind of bell housing is on it? Is it the same as on the Camaro and Firebirds or is it the same as on a small block Chevy or LS series engine?

Okay so if it is the dreaded t-5 are they as weak as they are in the f-bodies? And what kind of internal upgrades are available? Or is it more feasible to do a swap? If it is what other manual transmissions will fit or are recommended? A t56? If so do you need a different bell housing or an adapter plate?

I know it's a lot of questions, and most are probably newb question, but it's best to be informed before you go off the deep end and end up completely up the creep without a paddle. Thanks in advance.

 

My manual transmission is the NV3500, the automatics I think are 4l60-E and 4L65-E. As for your other questions someone else is going to have to chime in.

 

Thank you very much. That answers my question. I was just worried that it would be a t-5 similar to the ones found in the v6 f-bodies which would be a bad thing (3rd and 5th syncros like to explode if abused much at all). Most of my questions were based off of the idea of it being a t-5 not an NV3500.

 

2nd gen blazers all came with the nv3500 as far as i know - the rear part of the casting is different on them for the 4x4's - there are bolt holes for the transfer case, unfortunately the t56 never came set up for 4x4 - so basically for 2wd there's lots of transmission options but 4wd its either the nv3500 or the heavier nv4500 (both in power throughput and weight - aluminum vs steel casting for the bodies) OR alot of creativity

The bell housing is the GM small block pattern - same as v8 camaro/firebirds - v6 camaros and s10's WITHOUT the 4.3 used GM metric or 'small corporate' pattern (2.8,3.1,3.4,3.8, etc) - 2nd gen auto bellhousings are removable, manual bellhousings are not (important to know when looking for replacements)

My '01 auto is the 4l60e and i'm pretty sure the 4l65e was reserved for the fullsize p/u's - i tried swapping in one from a p/u and there's an extra bolt hole on top of the bell housing, the bellhousing and torque converter are deeper(longer) and the input shaft is different (larger at the tip) - I've since learned that these are the hallmarks of a 4l65e and they won't fit in the same physical space as a 4l60

oh, and the 2nd gen s10 p/u 4 bangers came with the nv1500 - not recommended for anything other than the 4 cyl.

 

I knew that the v6 Camaros and Firebirds use the small corporate pattern and as a result limits them greatly which is why most of the higher power guys go with a 4l60 instead of a t-56 because

As far as the 4wd transmission options go I wonder if a ZF transmission would fit.... I know a lot of early Bronco guys swap in the ZF transmissions that came in the old F-250's, nv3550, or nv4500's. I don't know if it would fit or not but it may be worth investigating for another option.

It is good to know that the manuals use the GM small block pattern. It makes my life easier. If I end up with a 2wd it will someday become a toy instead of a DD and I'd like to do all nature of fun stuff with the 4.3 since I'm a sucker for v6's for some odd reason. I'm thinking a twin Rotrex charged 4.3 with a marine intake backed by a t-56 but that would be quite a ways down the road.