[dknoerzer]

Has anybody hear of anyone swapping in a manual transmission into a 2007-present chevy fullsize?

Specifically, I want to put a six speed in a 2007-08 2wd Suburban. I want a smooth shifting 6 speed that's fun to drive and can handle an eventually hotrodded motor. Unfortunately, since Chevy doesn't put manuals in their trucks anymore, I can't just go to a scapyard and find a wrecked truck with all the parts. I'm thinking of finding a wrecked camaro with the tranny, clutch/clutch pedal, and computer intact.

How easily will the the transmission bolt in? Will it bolt directly to the 5.3 in the 'Burb or will it need an adapter?

At this point I'm just looking for info. Anybody know of any articles/forums/custom shops that would be helpful?

Thanks.

 

[murdog94]

I believe that you can take a 6spd out of a 3/4 ton with the 6.0L and it should bolt right in.. You will need the PCM etc from the donor truck, and if you have AFM that will no longer work.. But i would take one out of a 3.4 ton truck rather than a car since a suburban is heavy and will tear up a lighty duty tranny from a car. So that is my 2bits. thought i havent heard of anyone doing this, this the accepted method for the older trucks. And if you find out anything else if you would please post it up so we all can get an idea since im sure you arent the only one who wants to do this! good luck with the build and i look forward to seeing your results since a manual burban is a rare sight and a NNBS will be sweet!

 

[dknoerzer]

Thanks for the help. A 3/4 ton donor may be what I end up doing in the end. It would probably be the most practical and realistic approach. I've driven these trucks, though, and I'm looking for more of a hot rod than a work truck. I thought of a tranny from a camaro because it can handle plenty of horsepower going in, would be a blast to drive, and would be the most likely of it's kind to go in easily. Should the weight of the truck adding stress from the other end be a concern?

 

[murdog94]

A camaro 6speed is designed for high HP yes, but a camaro is a relatively light car. A suburban is nearly and usually over 3 tons. That is a lot of torque and load on a tranny that isnt designed for it. In a truck it isnt so much about horsepower but alot more about torque to get it moving hence the 10second 1ton trucks you see on the drag strip that have 1000ft-lb Turbo Diesels in them And they then hook up their race car trailer and pull them home.
Also a shorter shifter will make a difference in a truck tranny, In reality the shifts arent much different than a car if you shorten the shifter.. just a note.