S10 Transmission Identification
by Rob Wagner
Chevrolet produced the compact S10 pickup truck from 1982 to 2004. The S10 employed myriad transmissions during its production run. From 1994, the S10 used one automatic and three manual transmissions.
4L60-E Automatic
The L60-E four-speed electronically-controlled automatic dates to1982 and transmitted power from the engine not only for the S10, but also for the sixth generation Corvettes. It served trucks up to 8,600 lbs. The case is made of cast aluminum and measured 21.9 inches long.
NV1500 manual
The 1996 and later model year S10s powered by in-line four-cylinder 2.8-liter engines were equipped with the New Venture (NV) 1500 five-speed manual transmission. It had an aluminum case. This transmission remained with the S10 until the end of its production run.
NV3500 Manual
The New Venture 3500 five-speed manual was designed to complement vehicles equipped with V-6 engines. Like the NV1500, it had an aluminum case, but it was beefier to handle the stress of the larger V-6s. Chevrolet began equipping the two- and four-wheel S10 with the NV3500 in 1990.
T5 Manual
The Borg-Warner five-speed Tremec T5 five-speed manual served the S10 briefly in 1994 and 1995. It was a lightweight model with an aluminum case. It was popular for its high torque rating of up to 305 foot-pounds.
References
Writer Bio
Rob Wagner is a journalist with over 35 years experience reporting and editing for newspapers and magazines. His experience ranges from legal affairs reporting to covering the Middle East. He served stints as a newspaper and magazine editor in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Wagner attended California State University, Los Angeles, and has a degree in journalism.
