What transmission did the s10 have?
The S-10 offered both manual and automatic transmissions, with five-speed manuals common on many four-cylinder models and three- or four-speed automatics used across different years and engines.
During its 1982–2004 production run, the exact transmission depended on engine, trim, and drivetrain. The lineup varied as GM updated engines (such as 2.0/2.5L inline-fours and 2.8/4.3L V6s) and as changes to overdrive and electronic controls were introduced. The following sections outline the typical configurations seen over the S-10’s life.
Transmission options across the S-10's lifetime
The following lists describe the main manual configurations most commonly seen, followed by the main automatic configurations.
Manual transmissions
- Five-speed manual transmissions were common with the four-cylinder engines (notably the 2.5L I4) and were available on various years and trims.
- Some configurations with the 2.8L V6 offered a five-speed manual as an option, though it was less widespread than the four-cylinder pairing.
In practice, manual gearboxes appealed to buyers seeking greater control or lower initial cost, but they became less prevalent as automatics improved over the model’s lifetime.
Automatic transmissions
- Three-speed automatic transmissions were common in early S-10 models, used with several engine options.
- Four-speed automatic transmissions with overdrive became standard in later years across many engines, including the V6 options, reflecting GM’s shift toward more efficient automatics.
As GM refined the lineup, four-speed automatics largely supplanted the earlier three-speed units on most configurations, though exact availability still depended on year and drivetrain.
Summary
In short, the Chevrolet S-10 offered a mix of manual and automatic transmissions throughout its production run. Buyers could choose a five-speed manual with many four-cylinder models or opt for automatic transmissions ranging from three speeds in early years to four speeds with overdrive in later years, with the exact pairing driven by engine and trim. For any specific S-10, checking the exact year and engine configuration is the best way to confirm the transmission.
Does a S10 have a 4L60E transmission?
Chevrolet S-10 Transmission Problems & Solutions
And you'll have plenty of power to handle those good deeds, thanks to a selection of 4-cyl and V6 engines. Automatic variants were equipped with either a 4L60 transmission, or a 4L60E transmission (depending on the year).
What transmission is in a 2003 Chevy S10?
Model #4L60-E.
What transmission is in a 2000 S10?
4L60E Trans & Conv, Fits 2000 Chevrolet S-10 Pick-Up, 2.2L Eng, 2WD or 4X4 GM.
What transmission is in a 4.3 S10?
A 4.3L S10 can have different transmissions depending on the model year, including the 4L60E automatic for most late-model vehicles, and the HM290 5-speed manual for some earlier models. Other automatic transmissions like the 700R4/4L60 were used in earlier versions, while some owners swap in different manuals like the NV3500 or NV4500.
This video explains the differences between various S10 transmissions: 54sfastboatman29212YouTube · Dec 25, 2021
Automatic transmissions
- 4L60E: This is the most common automatic transmission for the 4.3L, especially in later years (e.g., 1993–2005 S10 Blazers and Sonoma).
- 700R4 / 4L60: These are the predecessors to the 4L60E, used in earlier models and have similar characteristics. The 4L60 was a name change for the 700R4, with the 4L60E being the later electronically controlled version.
Manual transmissions
- HM290: A 5-speed manual used in some 1998-2003 S10s and S15s.
- NV3500: A popular manual transmission that is often swapped into S10s, according to Reddit users.
- NV4500: A heavy-duty manual transmission, sometimes swapped in for its strength, notes Facebook users.
Other options
- TH350: Some S10s may have had a TH350, although it is less common with the 4.3L V6. This is mentioned by Hedman Performance Group.
