h55 5speed and chevy

[Shinichi]

Hi, all! I am new, and will post in the registry as soon as I figure out how to reduce my picture size.

I am very excited for my summer project, and I am working out exactly what I want to do. My question right now is about the toyota 5-speed swap, and a chevy v6/v8. If, when you do the h55 swap in the pre 85 60, you have to move the transfer case back(sounds like about 3inches) to keep the original motor. And, when you do a v8 swap, you have to move the trany/transfer forward to avoid the firewall. Could you do the two swaps together, and leave the transfer case in the factory spot?

Is there a thread where someone has already done this?

Thanks, Jamie

 

[Mike S]

I believe that the Marks adaptor for SBC to HXX tranny allows exactly this. I would check with the maker of the adaptor that you are using, or head out to the shop with a tape measure - assuming you are in the 'doing' stage rather than the 'planning' stage.

The main issue, as i understand it, is the mounting position of the SBC distributo at the rea of the block. Some guys have 'massaged' the firewall to accomodate.

Use the search button under Small Block Chevy or some logical combination thereof.

M

 

[YO-YO CAVER]

Another option would be to keep your 4 speed and transfer case and install a ranger overdrive. the chevy V8 moves forward toward the radiator and the trans/transfer stays in the same place with the same drivelines. The toyota 5speed has a 16% fifth gear, but the ranger has a 25% overdrive that is available for every gear including reverse.

 

[Shinichi]

I am still in the idea stage. From what I have read, the h55f is pretty straight forward and works well. I have seen the ranger overdrive come up a few times, but not more than a mention that they have one. What is it? How does it work? and who do you get it from? Is the cost enough less that it is worth putting behind a 150k tranny?

Thanks

 

[Cruiserdrew]

Jamie-you have it all wrong. While it's true that the t-case moves back, the transmission mount and cross-member stays in exactly the same place. The back of the tranny is just longer, so the t-case ends up 5inches or so further to the rear. What ever swap you do, try to keep the tranny mount in the same place. If the Mark's adapter moves the motor forward relative to the transmission, that is a good thing. I have heard of durability problems with the H55 behind a V-8. Are you sure you want to step away from Toyota?

If you do the swap to a SBC, it won't be cheap to do it right, and will likely be more troublesome unless every detail is exactly right. Why not do the 5 speed first and complete that project, and then decide if you really want Chevy power.

 

[ridgerunner]

Another option would be to keep your 4 speed and transfer case and install a ranger overdrive. the chevy V8 moves forward toward the radiator and the trans/transfer stays in the same place with the same drivelines. The toyota 5speed has a 16% fifth gear, but the ranger has a 25% overdrive that is available for every gear including reverse.

Don't waste your money on a ranger. Whate you get with the 27% is an unbelievable gear whine and your oh-so-nice tight shifting becomes more sloppy as you gain more rotating mass in front of your regular tranny.

You also gon't get a lower first gear that the H55F nets you.

Personally, I think you're splitting hairs in not wanting to keep the transfercase in the original location. There is no reason not to move it, unless you're being tight and don't want to spend the dough on driveshaft mods. You should set everything else up based on engine placement and not vice-versa.

 

[ridgerunner]

I am still in the idea stage. From what I have read, the h55f is pretty straight forward and works well. I have seen the ranger overdrive come up a few times, but not more than a mention that they have one. What is it? How does it work? and who do you get it from? Is the cost enough less that it is worth putting behind a 150k tranny?

It actually sits in front of the tranny. The unit is built by Advance Adapters based on a design from the 1960s IIRC, and is designed as either an over or under two speed gear spliter. You have the option of 27% overdrive or a 19% underdrive with a 1:1 drive gear. Basically, you get another two speed transmission that sits infront of your regular transmission. The gears are straight cut and howl when in overdrive. Also, because of added rotating mass, your transmission won't shift as nicely as it used to before the ranger. It's 7" long and about 80lbs, and is built to be adapted infront of NP435s, SM420s and 465s, and H4* and the H55F, and costs about $1400 new.

For the money, I'd either go with a NV4500 or H55F. I have a ranger and actually like it (beside what I wrote above) since it allows me to use an H42 tranny (the tight gear spacing keeps my boost up between shifts) and have an overdrive.

 

[FL cruiser]

I agree. Don't sweat it about moving the transfer case. It is the easiest factor to change. Driveshaft mods are cheap. Moving shifter holes on the floorboard (as long as the moves aren't dramatic) is easier compensate than fan to radiator distance, firewall mods or motor mount placement.
You will still need added length to get in the ballpark, either the Marks Adapter setup, or the longer NV4500 transmission. I sat down and compared the costs of parts between going the Marks & H55 route or the NV4500 route, and came up with even figures.

 

[Shinichi]

Wow, thanks for all the thoughts. Two reasons why I am thinking sbc. One, my 2f is tired. I will drive it as is until I have a crlear understanding of what I want to do, and have found all the parts needed. Second, I live in colorado, and my reguar driving can send me through more than 5k in altitude changes. I want at a minimum TBI to help compensate, and retain some sort of economy.

I am not totally sold on a 5.7l, while I do enjoy th sound of a v8. I am more interested in being able to run on cheap gas, and hope to get 15 mpg or more. I have a truck right now that has the Vortech 4.3, and I really like the motor. I have read that some people have found a better torque curve with the TBI 4.3, but I need to look into it further.

I think that I do not want to get the ranger, having a quiet drivetrain is important. The h55f appealed to me because it is Toyota, and seems to have a lot of positive feedback. The NV4500 seems to be the bling, but I don't intend on having the power that would warrant something like that. It is good to know that the overall cost is similar, if you have had both, which did you like to drive better?

This is not going to be my primary vehicle, but a family wheeler/trip vehicle. I am going to do as much of the work myself as I can. I would like have it soon, I am jonesing to drive a cruiser again, but I do not have a specific timeline.

changing the drive shafts is not an issue. I guess I missunderstood where the crossmember is. Do I retain the original and simply move it? Do the driveshafts end up being more similar in lenght, does it matter? If I was to go with a v6, should I think about positioning it for a v8 swap to fit in there way down the road?

thank you all for your advice, part of the joy of cruisers for me is tinkering with them. This is the first one I have had (4 fj40s previously) that I have had a propper indoor space to work on it. My soon to be wife bought this one, for me, for my 30th Birthday next week. She gave me our garage too. I have time to learn and get this done right, this is why I am gathering thoughts right now. What a great resource this forum is. I hope I can help others too, as I go through this project...

 

[FJKai]

Go with the Mark's Adapter. I did a SBC 400 with a Mark's adapter and mated it right up to the stock 4 speed. Very easily done, no big mods to worry about, very clean. Engine sits perfect and has plenty of room between the firewall. I have a fairey overdrive so keeping the stock tranny was a non-issue for me. I would have to say that in terms of ease, the Mark's kit made it pretty easy and quick. No mod's are needed, just bolt it up. Engine sits pretty much centered in the engine bay and has plenty of room around it. Only draw back is the price (approx $1,000), but you will be spending money either way (new drivelines, tranny, etc.) without an adapter anyways. Just my 2 cents worth of experience. Good luck either way.