I have a 96 4WD standard cab, short bed 1500 Ram with an NV3500 5 speed and a 318 with almost 160K on it. The truck is in good shape overall, but the 318 leaks a little oil and complains a bit when I get on it or am towing with it. I was thinking of regasketing the 318, but then I thought maybe I'd look for another, lower mileage 318 to swap in its place. Then I started thinking how much I'd like to have the grunt of a 360. Long term I planned on swapping in a 360 with a NV4500 attached, but was wondering if a NV3500 could handle a stock(-ish, maybe a little bit more cam for towing) 360 if I didn't beat on it. That way, I could swap in a decent 360, then swap in the NV4500 later on. Would the current NV3500 be able to handle it or an I just asking for trouble?

It will get you buy until it breaks and then you get to install the 4500. Tim

my 5.9L NV3500 combo:

http://youtu.be/a82D-w3iVPY


on the first dyno I went to, it was 285hp/325tq at the wheels. on this dyno at the Nats in August it was 281hp at the wheels, I don't remember what torque though.

transmission has been just fine, but I use street tires only that don't hook, and I don't powershift it.

they were rated to 350 ft lbs by the factory, which means that they can handle 350 and not break....so at what level do they finally break? I don't know.

a stock 5.9 makes 345 ft lbs at the crank.



Now, all that said, I am currently in the middle of a viper spec T-56 swap because someday in the future, I might want to put some ported heads on it, maybe a 4" crank too. I didn't want to do anything more to the motor without first upgrading my trans.

so, behind a mildly modded 5.9, the NV3500 will be ok if you take care of it (no slicks, no clutch drops, no powershifting, etc.)

This Guy's NV3500 video never gets old:

360 Ram

He's added more videos, one has him running a 14.70 et. He beats on it pretty good too. Click on his UserName and it'll list them all out for you.

I think you'll be fine, that NV 3500 must be a little underrated or something.

with a 318 my truck was running 14.6, and now that it's got the 360/5.9L it's down around 14.3 @ 99mph, with 2.2 sec 60' times. 4000 lb truck

and I do drive the snot out of it on the street

318 videos:
http://youtu.be/RISivza9lWc
http://youtu.be/7DiZvl3oUYg
http://youtu.be/nvPEE1CYQDA

with the 5.9
(the above dyno video)
http://youtu.be/rw0O7Hknzhg
http://youtu.be/u4YXAdjfO6o