xfactor974

I heard you guys talking about using a later model vette driveshaft in your C3 700 conversion. Which years would be compatable with this? And how much did it run you?

TedH

If you have the TH400, you can replace the slip yoke on your existing drive shaft. You will also need to shorten the driveshaft to accomodate the 700R4. The May 1999 issue of Chevy High Performance has an article about swapping a 700R4 into a TH400-equipped '71 Camaro. If yours has the TH400, this article may be of benefit.

If you have the TH350, you can use the existing slip yoke but you will need to shorten the driveshaft to accomodate the 700R4. You will also need to either seriously alter your existing x-member or buy one pre-fabbed from BowTie Overdrives (760-947-5240, http://www.700r4.com). Corvette Fever ran an article on the 77-81 Vette Trans Swap since these years have the TH350. I'm not sure of the driveshaft length they recommended since I have heard 3 7/8" removal (I'll be confirming that today! Don't want to waste my driveshaft!).

I have an '80 L48 with the TH350 and am placing my order for the 700R4 components from BowTie today! Transmission, converter, x-member, dipstick/tube, speedo gear, wiring harness, indicator/detent, and in-line filter (if not flushing radiator, you will need this for first 10K miles) are approx. $1400 without shipping/tax. Driveshaft shortening/balancing is around $100 with another $700 in rear differential/parts costs to round out the work I am performing on the trans (am adding a set of 3.55 gears, rebuilt halfshafts, blueprint of my new differential, rear calipers, bushings, etc.).

I may even opt for that set of Trick Flow heads I've been dreaming about.

Hmmm, and a true dual exhaust is about $250...

xfactor974

Thanks for the reply. I've read something about using a driveshaft off a 86 or higher vette that was originally equipped with a 700r4 and just dropping it in. The mods you are talking about are the same thing that I'm doing at the moment. :D

Monty

I have the original driveshaft from my '82, that came with a 700R4. I'm not using it anymore. Let me know if you are interested.

wombvette

Just doing the same thing on a 66. The 82 driveshaft will not work, and the 89 shaft is too big physically and is ever so slightly too long. So it looks like I will have to cut down the original.

vettedan

xfactor974-I installed a '95 4L60E mated to a '95 LT1. The length between a 4L60E and a 700r4 are the same. In order to mount the transmission, I had to buy a '82 vette tail shaft. You can still buy them from Chevrolet for around $40.00. I used my stock '76 TH350 cross member to mount the tail shaft. I drill two new holes behind where a TH400 mounted and I used a '82 vette TH700 rubber mount, it's a bit taller than the TH350 rubber mount . I relocated the E-brake pulley mount since the 4L60E is longer than the TH350 and the yoke would have touched the E-brake cable. To cut the correct length off the driveline, I measured from the tail shaft rear seal to the center of the u-joint cap and deducted 3/4". This left me adequate room to install the two piece yoke into the transmission and install the drive line. I had Akeen drivelines( Kent ,Washington) cut the driveline by 3 11/16". I removed the old brake light switch from my '76 and installed the '95 Camaro ganged brake light switch / TCC- shift interrupt switch. The Camaro Switch slips right into the '76 brake switch bracket. I installed a 4 speed automatic shifter conversion kit from Eckler's ( P/N-34800). This kit will adapt the old TH350 cable to 4L60E and changed the detents on the shifter and overdrive display indicator. See my web page for more info.
Dan

Shark Racer

Ted- Just thought I'd say, I have 3.55s and a 700R4, very fun combination. Tell me your engine revs when you're done.
-Steve

TedH

Monty how much for the driveshaft and shipping? I'm very interested since I just bought the Bow Tie kit today and need to swap driveshafts.

Gary79

the easiest way to figure how much to cut the driveshaft is to line up the old trans versus the new trans, figure the difference and that's your amount to cut. in my case th350 vs 700r4,was a 3 inch difference,so i had diff shortened 3 inches. will driveshafts from the 80-82 vettes fit the 79 and back cast iron differentials??? i don't know,that's why the question.