Engine Swap

[Gussie2000]

According to wikipedia GM discontinued our VX's trans for a more reliable and better builted 5L40-E that features a 5 speed gearbox that is used in most BMW's 5 and 3 series sedans and SUV's

Not sure if this new trans is suitable for our VX but worth looking into it

[WiSDoM]

I the problem I see with the hummer tc is the shifter controls. any idea would hate to shell out another 300.00 just for switches.

[WiSDoM]

Not sure exactly what I will need to get for that tc to work.
tc module, tc electric motor, and shifter control switch. Am I missing something?
what would be a better option?

[RamAirZ]

You could run a Dana 300 with an adapter off the back, it's a small tcase and get a remote shifter for it. If you get the modules and switches for the tcase it shouldn't be too hard to wire up. I don't have a diagram for it but the Astro van guys do it with S10 cases alot when they want 4wd instead of awd. As for the 5L30E, you'd need to have the computer completely reprogrammed and probably some harness modifications to make it work, and since no one really modifies our computers (JET doesn't count, they just make air/fuel adjustments, I don't think they can rewrite the whole ecu) I don't think it'd work.

[WiSDoM]

I already have the 4l65e tranny. I am waiting to hear from my mechanic. i have h3 tc case on hold, but the all the access. are going to add up quick.

[RamAirZ]

they always do. You could run that dana 300 behind the 4L65 if you decide against the H3 case

[WiSDoM]

I got word today from my mechanic he can get a adapter made for 1500.00 because it being a one off. Ramair do you think a nv241 work work? the 89 blazer had a passenger side drop. My concern with the h3 tc is getting the harness, module, and switch to work right. any ideas?

[RamAirZ]

The 241 would work, it's an aluminum case chain drive tcase, you'd just have to rig up the shifter for it which shouldn't be TOO difficult.

[WiSDoM]

RamAirz, if it was your Rig what would you do? givin the 5.3 and tranny i have. I am still undecided. looking at pros and cons

[RamAirZ]

If it were me, I'd go with an adapter from advance adapters and a Dana 300. The aftermarket is huge, it's a small lightweight case and with a remote shifter it should make it alot easier to keep a stock look in the truck, you could even run twin sticks, plus it's a stronger case. The 241 doesn't have as much support, and I'm not sure if they make a remote shifter but isn't the 241 a straight pattern shifter (forward and back movements for all gears)? That would make it a little harder to fit in the VX console. Here's a pic of a guy who swapped in a 700R4 (same basic trans as your new one) and running a Dana 300 with twin stick shifters in a Passport (Rodeo, same basic console lay-out as the VX):





he had to push the trans towards the drivers side a hair to clear the torsion bars with the tcase but since your doing a whole motor swap, this shouldn't be much of an issue, and his fix was easy and worked.

[WiSDoM]

Hey Ramair do you know where he got his shifter from?
I am ordering my dana 300 today with teralow 300 installed.

thanks Mike

[RamAirZ]

Northwest Fab Works, here is how he mounted it:





Clearance on the Tbar:



On his truck he trimmed the transmission pan to help with shaft clearance:

[SilverBullet75]

Any updates? How's the conversion going?

[WiSDoM]

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I stopped in yesterday and he was getting ready to fab in the motor mounts. he said motor and tranny fit really well, but not enough for the clutch fan and A/C. I am going to have a custom radiator made and may be a few other things too. I have been collecting part for sometime now so the process has been slow. I can't wait to have her home and running lol been almost 6 months.

[WiSDoM]

hello guys,
Does anyone know any thing about the dana 300? The problem we are having now is getting the factory speedo to work.