2000 Silverado Nv3500 to nv4500
Apr 15, 2020 | 12:50 PM
#1
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2000 Silverado Nv3500 to nv4500
I have a factory 2000 Silverado ls 4.8l nv3500 4wd and was wondering what is all needed to upgrade to the nv4500? I need a new clutch right now and thought why not upgrade it while its out?
Thanks in advance.
Thanks in advance.
Apr 15, 2020 | 12:58 PM
#2
TECH Junkie
Joined: Jun 2014
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From: At the dump with a clutch
Zebra just did this swap on a 2000 Sierra. I had the swap done in my 2005 but I believe there are a few minor differences between the 2000 and 2005.
Mine needed a new reverse switch from a 2500 that came factory with the NV4500
Clutch, pressure plate, modification to y-pipe but I have headers and a 3" y pipe so it might clear the factory exhaust. Lastly you need an NV4500 shifter. I believe that was it everything else bolted right up.
Also just food for thought. The NV4500 has a much lower first gear ratio of 5.61-1 vs 4.02-1 of the NV3500. Depending on your driving style and current gear ratio it might be annoying that 1st gear is only really usable when towing. For me it doesn't bother me in either truck I just start from a stop in second.
Mine needed a new reverse switch from a 2500 that came factory with the NV4500
Clutch, pressure plate, modification to y-pipe but I have headers and a 3" y pipe so it might clear the factory exhaust. Lastly you need an NV4500 shifter. I believe that was it everything else bolted right up.
Also just food for thought. The NV4500 has a much lower first gear ratio of 5.61-1 vs 4.02-1 of the NV3500. Depending on your driving style and current gear ratio it might be annoying that 1st gear is only really usable when towing. For me it doesn't bother me in either truck I just start from a stop in second.
Apr 15, 2020 | 01:39 PM
#3
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From: North Dakota
Zebra just did this swap on a 2000 Sierra. I had the swap done in my 2005 but I believe there are a few minor differences between the 2000 and 2005.
Mine needed a new reverse switch from a 2500 that came factory with the NV4500
Clutch, pressure plate, modification to y-pipe but I have headers and a 3" y pipe so it might clear the factory exhaust. Lastly you need an NV4500 shifter. I believe that was it everything else bolted right up.
Also just food for thought. The NV4500 has a much lower first gear ratio of 5.61-1 vs 4.02-1 of the NV3500. Depending on your driving style and current gear ratio it might be annoying that 1st gear is only really usable when towing. For me it doesn't bother me in either truck I just start from a stop in second.
Mine needed a new reverse switch from a 2500 that came factory with the NV4500
Clutch, pressure plate, modification to y-pipe but I have headers and a 3" y pipe so it might clear the factory exhaust. Lastly you need an NV4500 shifter. I believe that was it everything else bolted right up.
Also just food for thought. The NV4500 has a much lower first gear ratio of 5.61-1 vs 4.02-1 of the NV3500. Depending on your driving style and current gear ratio it might be annoying that 1st gear is only really usable when towing. For me it doesn't bother me in either truck I just start from a stop in second.
Apr 15, 2020 | 02:55 PM
#4
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From: At the dump with a clutch
Well in that case you will likely love the NV4500 I have been enjoying the one in my RCSB for a few years now with a supercharged 4.8 and now the same supercharger on a "built" 6.0 no issues with it whatsoever besides a clutch slave going out and it being a heavy SOB to move around. The NV4500 in my Tahoe has also been just fine.
Heres a link where someone was asking about Transfer case adaptability and another member answered in reference to a NP241 T case. not sure which model you have.
https://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-drivetrain-suspension-22/nv4500-clutch-397326/page2/
Heres a link where someone was asking about Transfer case adaptability and another member answered in reference to a NP241 T case. not sure which model you have.
https://www.performancetrucks.net/forums/gm-drivetrain-suspension-22/nv4500-clutch-397326/page2/
the nv3500's np241 transfer case should bolt right on - just verify yours is 32spline input. flip the stock crossmember around (driver's to passenger's side). swap to nv4500 reverse switch. as for the trans, the wikipedia page actually has a decent breakdown of what year transmissions had what gearing & (i think) clutch setups... early models used an external slave. one thing i also learned when swapping mine is the nv3500 slave & flywheel cross-referenced as the same part numbers for the nv4500 (depending on the year of the equivalent setup: 99-00 NBS, 01~04, and ~05+). you'll want the 95-00 GM transmission lid regardless of the trans year (which i believe you want the 96+ GM trans), as the slightly shorter lid fits into the non-body-lifted trans tunnel a little bit easier.
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Apr 15, 2020 | 03:49 PM
#9
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From: At the dump with a clutch
From a quick google search it looks like the 261 came both 27 spline and 32 spline. So I would verify which yours is. Not sure if there is a way you can verify without taking it apart.
Apr 15, 2020 | 03:56 PM
#10
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From: North Dakota