New transmission needed for 79?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 47
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New transmission needed for 79?
HP for '79 going from 200 to 350-400 area,
With improvements, what happens to 3 speed factory auto transmission?
No problem, or rpm too high?
New Auto tranny or manual necessary?
any other parts that need to be evaluated with this amount of performance increase?
With improvements, what happens to 3 speed factory auto transmission?
No problem, or rpm too high?
New Auto tranny or manual necessary?
any other parts that need to be evaluated with this amount of performance increase?
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 62
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From: Gardner Kansas
the th350 is capable for the proposed hp gains ... however with the 3:55 rearend highway rpms are about 3200 at 70 mph. 700r4 upgrade is well worth the money I have driven a 78 w/ this upgrade and was pleasently surprised... first gear is a monster!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Do you want to drag race this car, make it a highway cruiser or just have fun with it? The best thing I did to my '79 auto was instal a manual 5 speed, but an auto would be better for the drag strip. If you don't like shifting gears the 2004R is the easiest upgrade. The driveshaft stays the same length and it fits the tunnel.
Bernie
Bernie
Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 570
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From: glace bay nova scotia
if you can find a 700r4 from an astrovan that is 95 or newer you will have a nice set up also.the 95 and up have an extra piece on the tail shaft .this tranny is better than the pre 95 700r4.also i believe the astro has the right length tail shaft.someone else should be able to confirm the tailpiece length.
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 173
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From: Pumpkin Center CA
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
....the 2004R is the easiest upgrade. The driveshaft stays the same length and it fits the tunnel.
Bernie
Bernie
Originally Posted by plasticchevy
...700r4 upgrade is well worth the money I have driven a 78 w/ this upgrade and was pleasently surprised... first gear is a monster!
Is the 700r4 first gear different than the 200r4?
Fast idle referenced a 700r4 from an Astrovan, where would the 200r4 come from?
Also, do either of these require electrical mods or linkage mods to function. Any links to others with these swaps?
Doug....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
If I were going to go with either thr 2004R or the 400R4, I would go the Bowtie Overdrive for one of their units; unless I knew someone locally with auto tranny expertise. Bowtir has all the parts to marry a newer tranny to our older cars.
Bernie
Bernie
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Michael S. Palmer
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Originally Posted by grey 79
HP for '79 going from 200 to 350-400 area,
With improvements, what happens to 3 speed factory auto transmission?
No problem, or rpm too high?
New Auto tranny or manual necessary?
any other parts that need to be evaluated with this amount of performance increase?
With improvements, what happens to 3 speed factory auto transmission?
No problem, or rpm too high?
New Auto tranny or manual necessary?
any other parts that need to be evaluated with this amount of performance increase?
I'm no transmission expert
....in fact I'd go so far as to say I have no clue what happens inside an automatic transmission.The some total of my knowledge on the subject is:
Red=Good!
Brownish-Red=Not so good!
Black=Walking!
I do know this much though. The Turbo 350 came in many cars and trucks with as much power and many weighed a whole lot more than a Corvette.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,512
Likes: 49
From: Franklin IN
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
I am going with a touched up 2004-r
