I'm considering upgrading my 82 suburban 4-speed manual converted from auto to a 5spd, because my top speed is too low. Will a 5spd increase top speed? Would it be better and cheaper to go to the junk yard and get a higher rearend. I don't mind having a 4spd so much except for the top speed factor. On my current rearend is there a tab that will tell me the gear ratio. Since it had a factory auto what is most likely the gear ratio. My guess would be 3.73. I don't know if that's even close though.

Any thoughs would be appriciated.


thanks,


Owen

The only advantage would be overdrive. Gearsplitters are avilable that will allow you to automatically overdive eachgear. That way your 4spd becomes an 8spd. less work than a swap but they cost over a grand new. My suggestion would be to find a salvaged unit.

You mean a 2spd like in a 2 ton truck, right? That would be excellent for pulling, but how much overdrive in fourth would it give me? Are there some gearsplitters that have more overdrive than others? What kind would I have to find at a junk yard for it to work. Would a 2spd out of an old grain truck work, or would that be overkill? I like this idea. It could be something to consider if I could get it done for a couple hundred bucks. How and where would it mount up. I know on our chevy 2 ton grain truck it's right by the rear axle, but I've never taken a close look at it. When you say, "The only advantage would be ovedrive." Do you mean that if I put in a faster rearend I would only gain some more speed in 4th leaving a larger gap between it and 3rd? Would I still have the lug in the low gears?

quantum mechanic-


On my "trans swap" post you said, "Once you have the 5spd you'll curse and dream of 6 shifting from 3rd to OD and hitting the flatspot in the gears" in one of your responces. I don't understand what you meant. Please clarify.


thanks,


Owen

I have the 5spd and I'd like to install a splitter but It's a K3500 and I would have to switch to a 2wd 5spd and divorced tranfercase to split in 4wd or 2wd, high or low range.The flat spot is what you feel shifting into 4th or OD. It's there wether you rev to 3000 rpm before you shift or 2300 rpm. It's worst when towing uphill when you shift. Then it feels flat betweem 2 and 3rd too.


The 4L80E doesn't compare. It slips as needed to keep you in the powerband.Edited by: quantum mechanic

My suburban is 2wd, so I wouldn't have any problems w/a transfer case. You say there's a flat spot between 4th and OD. Is the 5spd still a good upgrade?


Edited by: War Wagon

I've thought about what your talking about. My burb is 2wd anyway. If I could mount a 2spd between the trans and the carrier bearing that would be tight.