Overdrive install in 1970 SB ?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 550
Likes: 58
From: Columbus Mississippi
Overdrive install in 1970 SB ?
How much, if any extra would you pay for a properly installed 2004r transmission in a "nice driver 1970 small block " car?
I just rebuilt the 400 transmission in the 1970...I am building a 2004r for the 1972 resto mod and was playing with the idea of doing one for the 1970 just for the drivability. Right now at 70 MPH the 400 makes the motor spin about 3000 RPM....with a .67 overdrive it would spin about 2000 RPM....much nicer, better gas mileage and much less wear and tear on the original motor. Would I be trading dollar for dollar? I can rebuild the 2004r myself and have an extra one on the floor...rebuild kit and new torque convertor would run me about $500...would it be a PLUS or a minus for the car? Its a standard numbers matching block 350 with a numbers matching 400 trans.
Thoughts??? Not sure I will keep both cars after the 72 is finished...would like to but the 2 are so close to being the same car.
I just rebuilt the 400 transmission in the 1970...I am building a 2004r for the 1972 resto mod and was playing with the idea of doing one for the 1970 just for the drivability. Right now at 70 MPH the 400 makes the motor spin about 3000 RPM....with a .67 overdrive it would spin about 2000 RPM....much nicer, better gas mileage and much less wear and tear on the original motor. Would I be trading dollar for dollar? I can rebuild the 2004r myself and have an extra one on the floor...rebuild kit and new torque convertor would run me about $500...would it be a PLUS or a minus for the car? Its a standard numbers matching block 350 with a numbers matching 400 trans.
Thoughts??? Not sure I will keep both cars after the 72 is finished...would like to but the 2 are so close to being the same car.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
It would be a definite PLUS for you, as long as you own it...for all the reasons you mentioned. It would be a "no loss-no gain" deal if you go to sell the car, I think. It would seem like a resto-mod car SHOULD have an O/D transmission with lockup. A resto-mod with the THM-400 trans would not have features most buyers would want.
Last edited by 7T1vette; May 14, 2018 at 12:43 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
If I had the skills to rebuild it and had one laying around, there wouldn't even be a thread here asking about it, it would have already been done! This is a 100% reversible mod if your worried about devaluing the car. I'd keep the original TH400 for the next person.
