I'm playing around with the idea of converting my '72 Burb to a manual transmission.... but it will still need to be able to tow my 7000Lb trailer setup from time to time, so I need to be careful how I put this thing together.... My first instinct was to just throw a slushbox behind the new BBC and call it a day, but without an available overdrive gear (except with something spendy like a 4L80E (with standalone controller) I am pretty sure the highway RPMs are going to suffer and I'll be drinking LOTS of dinosaur juice even when I'm not towing.... If you've got a towrig with a manual box (and you know the specs) please post up the transmission ratios (1st, 2nd, etc) and the rear end ratio it's paired with. Also indicate your tire diameter (if you know it) or just the tire size off the sidewall (I'll calculate it myself) There are two main things I'd like to get your driving impressions about: 1. Standing start with a loaded trailer - Does it get moving well, or does it feel like there isn't enough gear reduction to get the truck/trailer in motion? 2. Cruising RPM - Are you happy with the RPMs at highway speed when towing? Too high? Too Low in overdrive to really pull well, etc? It's going to be a dual-purpose vehicle, so compromises are inevitable...I don't have any interest in buying a "new" tow rig (that would be vehicle #6 for me BTW!) so I'd like to see what can be done to make the 'Burb a better tow vehicle. Even in it's current state (350SBC/TH350) it's done an admirable job of hauling me around the country.....just not very fast, and it's certainly no "climber" on the steep grades!! Post up what you've got, and give me some food for thought. opcorn:
Go with an NV4500 or NV 5600 would be even better. I have the NV4500 but it is behind a CTD so that isn't really a fair comparison. I really like my NV4500. It gives me all the stuff a SM465 does but it more refined and offers overdrive. My combo is CTD, NV4500, 3.55 gears, 245's. Cruise RPM at 70 is 2100RPM. For a BBC you would probably want to up that a little to get more in your powerband. Harley
Try doing a search on coloradok5.com or post something there. Lots of folks with burbs, maybe have the same set-up you are looking at.
I heard about a mod there that's a real d!ck though... I think his names Greg or something... Watch out for him :doah:
