700r4 conversion
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
700r4 conversion
I just wanted to say that i recently had a 700r4 conversion and it was the best thing i ever did to my '79 vette. It has a continental converter variable stall w/ non lockup(no computer mess). it was build to the highest stantards unbreakable. This guy says you cannot build one stronger. Can't believe how it woke up my old engine, and the cruising on the highway with low rpm's-priceless.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Originally Posted by straub18045
I just wanted to say that i recently had a 700r4 conversion and it was the best thing i ever did to my '79 vette. It has a continental converter variable stall w/ non lockup(no computer mess). it was build to the highest stantards unbreakable. This guy says you cannot build one stronger. Can't believe how it woke up my old engine, and the cruising on the highway with low rpm's-priceless.
also what shift kit he used?? I would like to hear his exact specific response.....
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
ok, i was home for 2 weeks from kuwait-im currently serving in operation iraqi freedom in the army. within 2 weeks he completed the project. i dont have the bill in front of me so i cant be to specific. but i can tell u what i remember. converter- continental this one is the best but its expesive 800-900$ its a variable stall, it works with my stock motor and will work with a performance motor. the sunshell is a "beast" brand name, the best . used a transco shift kit, with this kit he had to machine the case a bit to fix the lubrication of the clutches to prevent over heating, using amzoil sythetic fliud 20-40 degree drop in temp. 93 vette servo, and on and on but that is all i retained i can see if i can get it scanned to me. he also said stay away from b&m, tci and so on because they make junk there products actually hurt the tranny. basically this guy does these conversions for a living. he spent decades find the right recipe of parts and this combo he bragged about to me. well whe i drove is-holy crap! i couldnt believe it, plus no lockup!
Racer
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Suprised you have a non-lock converter. It will run a bit cooler (the transmission) and lower RPM (~200 rpm) with it locked. There are several lock-up kits out there (B&M, Painless, etc.) for about $160 and less. I put the B&M on my Wrangler when I installed the 350 and 700R4 in it because it allowed me to set the lockup speed. It also has a button to allow you to turn off the converter, which is nice for passing. And it also dropped the transmission temp. Worth the money IMHO.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
i am aware of the lockup kits. they are not durable over time. this tranny cools better than a lock up because of the converter, 10 inch continental. no problems with slip speed or anything. ive done over a year of research on this project, also i work at as a gm tech, im not a performance expert, but i no trannies. this was the best for my vehicle, maybe others have succes with trannys but i no this is the best. guy down the road has the same tranny, 600 horse and he cant break it, but everything has its breaking piont, just saying i know its good.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
S180, thanks for your service, stay safe, obviously.....
I have fought over my 700 twice now, and it's got a superior/fairbanks shift kit, I wonder if I can change over to Trans Go....I had several of their kits over the years in 350-400 trannies, and they flew pretty good, one of them for over 300k miles still banging a good gear....
I have fought over my 700 twice now, and it's got a superior/fairbanks shift kit, I wonder if I can change over to Trans Go....I had several of their kits over the years in 350-400 trannies, and they flew pretty good, one of them for over 300k miles still banging a good gear....
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 309
Likes: 0
From: Ocean City MD
mrvette most of the problems you describe are from the early 700. When they went to 4L60 they did many upgrades. They changed the 3-4 clutch pack. They also beefed up the drums. Really the main problem they had was breaking the reaction shell. They soon had a beefier replacment. I am partial to the 700/4l60 and found them to be very strong. My lifted daily driven 93 Suburban still had it factory 4L60E with over 250,000 miles when I sold it. It had only been serviced and had one shift solenoid replaced. One I built lives in a 10 second street drived tubbed 69 camaro with a big block. So you can build them to take lots of abuse.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
Originally Posted by straub18045
i am aware of the lockup kits. they are not durable over time. this tranny cools better than a lock up because of the converter, 10 inch continental. no problems with slip speed or anything.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Originally Posted by straub18045
keep in mind with the clutches used, there was machined to the valve body and case as to increase cooling
Reason I asked is shipping one of these things is stupidly high priced, and very awkward to handle, and they are in reality fairly generic units' mine is a late '87 unit with a aux valve body , and SUPPOSED to have most of the updates installed when it was built in '97, the second 3/4 clutch pack is still in there, I thought it wasfailing yet again a year ago, guess I was rong....I even have a replacement part set for it sitting under this table now....
but since I don't drag race, I find that 1st gear about useless....
and for 50 lbs savings with superior design and reliability, I think I may well go for the 200 4r and have over with it...
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 476
Likes: 0
From: Easton PA
it will take me awhile to retain this info because of my excessability to the itemized bill, i got my vette back 12 hours befor my plane left could chit chat to much with the guy. i wanted to drive it for as long as i could. keep in mind 2004r is longer, not sure what crossmembers and such thay have for it
