NV3500 behind a 360?

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

Quote:

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

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lol I just installed a 4500 on the old dodge diesel a year ago, picked it up used, guy gave it away at 300 bux thought that it had no 5th gear, they are prone to having the 5th gear collar come off, if you buy a NV4500, replace the 5th gear collar with the new upgraded one before you install it. ...