C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Transmission up grades

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 01:03 PM
  #1  
spectra170's Avatar
spectra170
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Wilton North Carolina
Default Transmission up grades

Hey guys new vet owner here. I recently purchased a 75 vet 350 cdi TH350 trans A/C, I have gone through and did a tune up, and fixed a couple of minor things. Now I would like to add overdrive to get the rpms down. I see most people here like the 200 4r. My questions are what will have to be done with the shifter or console? Will I have to modify what I have (stock) or do I need a new shifter? Also has any one used Bowtie Overdrives the sell a couple of different stages of the 200 4r? Thanks for your help.
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 01:30 PM
  #2  
marshrat99's Avatar
marshrat99
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Default

I'm using a Level 3 Bowtie 2004R. Nothing had to be done with the shifter/console except replace the shifter detent plate. Bowtie has a kit that is easy to install. To install, you'll need to drill out 4 tack welds that holds the original one in. The new plate simply bolts back on using the 4 holes created when removing the old plate.

As far the the 3 levels of Bowties sold, you should consider the Level 1 as just a stock 2004R. The Level 2 is a really good performance tranny. I'm using the Level 3 simply because it has a few more performance/HP parts. I've set the TV cable per Bowtie's recommended procedure and have very firm shifts even under moderate accelleration. At WOT, shift RPM is @6,200RPM and you'll definitely get snapped back into your seat.
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 02:11 PM
  #3  
joews's Avatar
joews
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Benson Mn
Default

Did you have to change the drive shaft.
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 02:14 PM
  #4  
rosslato's Avatar
rosslato
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
Default

Originally Posted by marshrat99
I'm using a Level 3 Bowtie 2004R. Nothing had to be done with the shifter/console except replace the shifter detent plate. Bowtie has a kit that is easy to install. To install, you'll need to drill out 4 tack welds that holds the original one in. The new plate simply bolts back on using the 4 holes created when removing the old plate.

As far the the 3 levels of Bowties sold, you should consider the Level 1 as just a stock 2004R. The Level 2 is a really good performance tranny. I'm using the Level 3 simply because it has a few more performance/HP parts. I've set the TV cable per Bowtie's recommended procedure and have very firm shifts even under moderate accelleration. At WOT, shift RPM is @6,200RPM and you'll definitely get snapped back into your seat.
thats goes dotto for me
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 02:42 PM
  #5  
Hogzilla's Avatar
Hogzilla
Advanced
 
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 67
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Default

shiftworks.com has a kit with the detent and new top indicator plate for the stock shifter.
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 05:14 PM
  #6  
spectra170's Avatar
spectra170
Thread Starter
Cruising
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Wilton North Carolina
Default

Thanks guys
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 05:14 PM
  #7  
rweasterly's Avatar
rweasterly
Instructor
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 237
Likes: 0
From: walker louisiana
Default

where does the overdrive come in...in other words ,there is only 1 2 3 on the c3 shifter...is the od electronic or is there a extra notch/shift?? thanks
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 05:21 PM
  #8  
BerniesVette's Avatar
BerniesVette
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Default

That is where the detent comes in, also you get a new plate showing the overdrive.
Bernie
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 05:29 PM
  #9  
71white's Avatar
71white
Racer
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 254
Likes: 1
Default

what is the best rear end ratio to use with this?
Reply
Old Aug 2, 2006 | 09:20 PM
  #10  
BerniesVette's Avatar
BerniesVette
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
Default

The rear end ratio should be determined by what you want to do with the car. I have a .68 5th gear ratio in my manual 5 speed tranny with 3:55 rear gears. I went from turning 3400 rpm at 70 to 2100 rpm. Great for cruising. My 1st gear is 3.35 and with the 3:55 rear gears gives excellent acceleration as well. The 3:55 is a good all round ratio, but some like to run 3:08s for high speed cruising and some like 4:11s or lower for the drag strip. Just depends on how you want to drive it.
Bernie
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2006 | 05:26 AM
  #11  
worship79's Avatar
worship79
Drifting
Supporting Member
Conversation Starter
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Default

Originally Posted by joews
Did you have to change the drive shaft.
Reply
Old Aug 3, 2006 | 04:58 PM
  #12  
marshrat99's Avatar
marshrat99
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Default

You do not have change the drive shaft on the 79 TH350 to 2004R conversion.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2006 | 06:21 AM
  #13  
worship79's Avatar
worship79
Drifting
Supporting Member
Conversation Starter
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 1,623
Likes: 29
From: The Netherlands
Default

Originally Posted by marshrat99
You do not have change the drive shaft on the 79 TH350 to 2004R conversion.


Makes the choice a lot easier! Now to find out what such a tranny would costs on this side of the pond...

Last edited by worship79; Aug 7, 2006 at 06:26 AM.
Reply
Old Aug 7, 2006 | 11:02 AM
  #14  
UKPaul's Avatar
UKPaul
Safety Car
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 3,758
Likes: 3
From: Surrey
Default

Originally Posted by worship79


Makes the choice a lot easier! Now to find out what such a tranny would costs on this side of the pond...
Shouldn't be too bad. I got a Bowtie L2 200-4r shipped over & the shipping cost was just over £200. That was to Ipswich, which is just over the water from you It worked out a lot cheaper than I tought it was going to.

Bowtie told me that for best results, in a C3 with their OD trans, a rear ratio of 3.83 was best for all round street use. Mine has 2.87:1 & it pulls OK when in OD. Best mod I ever did was fitting the OD trans
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Transmission up grades





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:37 AM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE