[DavidT1989]

Hey everyone. I have made a decision about the automatic transmission (crapbox, if you will) and decided to convert to a manual transmission. I have heard that the AX15 is not a good transmission and I am concerned that the NV3500 doesn't have a removable bell housing. I also know that there are other things that I need to get to make it work. My main question is about the engine computer. There are two different types, one for manual and the other for the automatic. I have come across a Mopar Performance PCM part number that applies to the 3.9 Magnum. The number is p5249521. Does this PCM work with either automatic or manual transmissions? I have heard that it does but I want to make sure. Another question is does the NV3500 come with a detachable bell housing? Thanks in advance.

 

[Vladek]

I'm not sure about the PCM. You might be able to turn the transmission stuff turned off. As for the NV3500. Yes, the bell housing is part of the case. But it should still bolt up to the 3.9. I know that the small block v8's have the same bolt pattern. Plus Dodge was putting the NV3500 behind the v6's as the dakota line went on. The AX15 was mainly on the 4 bangers if I'm not mistaken.

 

[DavidT1989]

OK. Thanks. Is there an NV4500? I am gonna beef up the engine and possibly do a V8 swap and I wanna make sure that the transmission will hold up.

 

[Vladek]

yes there is the NV4500 and NV5600. However, you might be looking at some modifaction since those are bigger. Depending on how much beef you plan on adding. The 3500 might work. I believe they are rated for 300hp.

 

[DavidT1989]

Ahhhhh. Ok. Well, I may wind up beefing up an NV3500. Granted, all of this will way out in the future. I just like having a good plan in place. Do you happen to know how one would beef up the NV3500? I am planning on putting it behind a 408 stroker eventually

 

[RalphP]

There are folks who sell upgraded parts for the NV3500; typically for the GM application, and it may say "Getrag" on the listing, but still out there.

OTOH - if you're planning to go so big, why not just go to a Tremec 6 speed built for power? Or a monster 5 speed from Tremec (the T56 family)?

They're available with Viper bell housings, which can be simply modded to fit the Magnum blocks (use 5 instead of 6 bolts IIRC).

RwP

 

[DavidT1989]

I kinda want to keep it stock looking. Not that I won't play with it sometimes, but it will be my daily driver too. Did any of those come in a 4x4 version? That is the main caveat for me. If any of them had a 4x4 version, I would gladly consider it. BTW, the transfer case is an NP231D.

 

[RalphP]

Well, that 4x4 will be a deal breaker; and no, not that I'm aware of. Well, the Chevy NV3500s were found in some trucks, so possibly.

You may be stuck with building up a NV3500 off a 4x4, and using the matching transfer case.

RwP

 

[theJester517]

Just my two cents, I have the AX-15 in my 97 3.9L 4x4 and I beat the living crap out of it and it keeps going no issues whatsoever. I have 241,000 miles on my truck and I had it since 165,000. I did the clutch last year, no clue how long it was changed before that, and I think I've changed the oil once or twice. That's it. Since I bought my truck 7 years ago, when I didn't even know how to drive stick, to now driving like a stunt car driver practically every time I get in my truck, I'd say that AX-15 is a pretty dependable transmission.

 

[01Motorsport]

I managed to put over 200K miles on a salvage yard NV3500 that was originally behind a 3.9 with 100K already on it.
It always worked just fine. That was on my '01 4.7 modded to about 270 horse.

 

[Vladek]

If you are wanting to keep the stock look. the nv3500 (for 2nd gen 1997 thru 2004) and the getrag 238 (for 3rd gen 2005 thru 2008) is what you would be looking for. I like both of those trannys. But I haven't had a big enough motor to really push them either. You can get them for 2wd or 4wd and I believe they are both rated for 300hp. If you are planning to beef the motor 400 horse or more. I would suggest looking at nv4500, nv5600, or the g56.

From my experence. It is harder to find parts for the getrag 238 and more expensive, minus clutch and throw out bearing. While it may be a 6 speed, you really just have an extra 3rd gear. Not a extra overdrive.