TH400 recommendations and converter
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Okiehoma
TH400 recommendations and converter
The forum has the best advice. I am looking for a rebuilt 400 tranny and need opinions on B&M, TCI, Hughes or other vendors. I am putting a 350 in with 360 HP, 400 torque cam is 224/230 at 450/460 lift. My rear end is in the shop right now and I will have 3.55 gears. Will a 2000-2200 stall converter work. I know the OD transmissions are the way to go but this frame off complete resto is sucking me dry.
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
I think the stall is about right. Here's a tranny for sale
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1487164
Nothing wrong with the TH400
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1487164
Nothing wrong with the TH400
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,024
Likes: 1
From: AL
If you have the old tranny, you can get a reputable rebuilder to install quality parts and you'll be fine. Get rid of all of the plastic seals and shims possible. You'll end up with a non-metallic selective shim on the front minimum. Consider a transgo shift kit; it will make a difference. The other vendors make the shift kits too, but get a transgo.
if you stay with around 2000 stall, just use the factory TC and save the $$$. otherwise look for TC with about the same stall (good converter company will ask you for all your car info), greater torque multiplier, and efficiency. these things cost; good companies can provide proof of performance; if they can't prove it's better than factory, don't buy it (or hype).
0.02
if you stay with around 2000 stall, just use the factory TC and save the $$$. otherwise look for TC with about the same stall (good converter company will ask you for all your car info), greater torque multiplier, and efficiency. these things cost; good companies can provide proof of performance; if they can't prove it's better than factory, don't buy it (or hype).
0.02
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 5,086
Likes: 786
From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
If you are concerned about off the line performance, DON'T put a stock converter in it. Up to 2500 stall speed is barely noticeable in normal driving but makes a big difference in drag strip performance. I just put a Transmission Specialties converter in my car. You can find good deals on them, new, on Ebay.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 423
Likes: 0
From: Okiehoma
Originally Posted by BKbroiler
If you are concerned about off the line performance, DON'T put a stock converter in it. Up to 2500 stall speed is barely noticeable in normal driving but makes a big difference in drag strip performance. I just put a Transmission Specialties converter in my car. You can find good deals on them, new, on Ebay.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 9,993
Likes: 1,136
From: League City Tx
Stock SB tq converter is 1500-1600. I would DEFINETLY install a looser converter. I would go with the Hughes 2500 stall. Its only about $150-175 and its much better quality the B&M and TCI junk.
You will barely notice driving a 2500 with a 3.55 gear but it makes a significant difference when you nail it from a dig.
Stock converters suck.
You will barely notice driving a 2500 with a 3.55 gear but it makes a significant difference when you nail it from a dig.
Stock converters suck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
Originally Posted by ajrothm
Stock SB tq converter is 1500-1600. I would DEFINETLY install a looser converter. I would go with the Hughes 2500 stall. Its only about $150-175 and its much better quality the B&M and TCI junk.
You will barely notice driving a 2500 with a 3.55 gear but it makes a significant difference when you nail it from a dig.
Stock converters suck.
You will barely notice driving a 2500 with a 3.55 gear but it makes a significant difference when you nail it from a dig.
Stock converters suck.
was just be a matter of time before you showed up to warn of the
evils of stock converters.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 288
Likes: 0
From: Reinholds pa
I have a 400 trans with a 2800 stall and 3.55 gears also awell used 300 hp base motor. I did the stall and the 3.55,s at the same time, what a difference,like night and day ,it smokes,em with my tiered old motor. but it needs that bill mitchell 427 small block 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by ajrothm
Stock SB tq converter is 1500-1600. I would DEFINETLY install a looser converter. I would go with the Hughes 2500 stall. Its only about $150-175 and its much better quality the B&M and TCI junk.
You will barely notice driving a 2500 with a 3.55 gear but it makes a significant difference when you nail it from a dig.
Stock converters suck.
You will barely notice driving a 2500 with a 3.55 gear but it makes a significant difference when you nail it from a dig.
Stock converters suck.
What about Transmission Specialties, I see some good deals on Ebay?
Going to put together a 383 with TH400 and a 308 rear gear in my 72...I will need higher stall speed....thinking about a 2500 stall speed.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 11,096
Likes: 990
From: Sierra Foothills CA
I agree with those recommending a 2500 RPM stall. It'll liven up your car noticably. Anything much higher than that will be slipping at highway speeds & create alot of heat, which is the enemy of your trans. I also recommend a trans cooler to keep temps down for longer life.
S489 recommends a Tran-Go shift kit, which is what both of my local trans shops recommend & which I have in my TH-400. Neither of them will use anything made by B&M- I don't say that to bash folks who are using their parts, just passing it along for what it's worth. Good luck.
S489 recommends a Tran-Go shift kit, which is what both of my local trans shops recommend & which I have in my TH-400. Neither of them will use anything made by B&M- I don't say that to bash folks who are using their parts, just passing it along for what it's worth. Good luck.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: Wallaceburg Ontario
Originally Posted by mbeeman350
So B&M and TCI are Junk???
What about Transmission Specialties, I see some good deals on Ebay?
Going to put together a 383 with TH400 and a 308 rear gear in my 72...I will need higher stall speed....thinking about a 2500 stall speed.
What about Transmission Specialties, I see some good deals on Ebay?
Going to put together a 383 with TH400 and a 308 rear gear in my 72...I will need higher stall speed....thinking about a 2500 stall speed.
- Chilli
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,173
Likes: 3,982
From: Connecticut, USA
The stock vette converter was 2100 RPM it has been posted here before and is in some of the GM paperwork I have somewhere.
I just rebuild my complete 72. I'm running a mild cam,TH400, B&M 2000 stall, and 308's. It's just what I wanted from this car- a cruiser to drive on the weekend to shows. I could care less if someone has a faster car next to me- go for it.
I used the B&M master kit to rebuild and mod the tranny. The clutches were the same as any and the mods were also the same as the other kits and "tricks" used by tranny shops. My buddy faxed me a report on what the hot rod shop did to his TH400 and they were the same mods. So those kits are fine, you just have to decide what you want out of it and build it that way. I did swithch to a older drum and 32 element sprag for added strenght but it wasn't needed for this application. A stock TH400 from the late 60's to early 70's will be all you need.
With the street/ strip mods the only thing I notice is a slight 1-2 "thunk" at just above idle shifting, this is due to hihger pressures with the mods. During part and full throttle it ****s firmer then stock but not neck snapping fast.
I was always told to keep the stall speed under the cruising RPM to keep it from overheating. I used FORD old type ATF too.
I just rebuild my complete 72. I'm running a mild cam,TH400, B&M 2000 stall, and 308's. It's just what I wanted from this car- a cruiser to drive on the weekend to shows. I could care less if someone has a faster car next to me- go for it.
I used the B&M master kit to rebuild and mod the tranny. The clutches were the same as any and the mods were also the same as the other kits and "tricks" used by tranny shops. My buddy faxed me a report on what the hot rod shop did to his TH400 and they were the same mods. So those kits are fine, you just have to decide what you want out of it and build it that way. I did swithch to a older drum and 32 element sprag for added strenght but it wasn't needed for this application. A stock TH400 from the late 60's to early 70's will be all you need.
With the street/ strip mods the only thing I notice is a slight 1-2 "thunk" at just above idle shifting, this is due to hihger pressures with the mods. During part and full throttle it ****s firmer then stock but not neck snapping fast.
I was always told to keep the stall speed under the cruising RPM to keep it from overheating. I used FORD old type ATF too.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
Likes: 12
From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Like others have suggested I would rebuild what I have. A good tranny shop can rebuild and install a shift kit at the same time, give you a warranty and you will know what you have and it is alot cheaper then a specialty company.
I would prefer the 350 to the 400. The 400 is heavier, larger, heavy duty so it eats about 35 more horse then the smaller 350.
A 350 can also be made to shift better then the 400 with a shift kit.
The 400 is only better for the really high horsepower bigblocks.
If you have a 350 save the money and get it rebuilt and gain that extra 35 horse. You will feel the difference
I would prefer the 350 to the 400. The 400 is heavier, larger, heavy duty so it eats about 35 more horse then the smaller 350.
A 350 can also be made to shift better then the 400 with a shift kit.
The 400 is only better for the really high horsepower bigblocks.
If you have a 350 save the money and get it rebuilt and gain that extra 35 horse. You will feel the difference
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by gtr1999
With the street/ strip mods the only thing I notice is a slight 1-2 "thunk" at just above idle shifting, this is due to hihger pressures with the mods. During part and full throttle it ****s firmer then stock but not neck snapping fast.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by gtr1999
The stock vette converter was 2100 RPM it has been posted here before and is in some of the GM paperwork I have somewhere.
Feels really low.
Anyway I can't find anything in the assembly manual or the GM sevice manuals.....
thanks Mark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,529
Likes: 27
From: Auburndale Florida
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'07-'09
Originally Posted by norvalwilhelm
Like others have suggested I would rebuild what I have. A good tranny shop can rebuild and install a shift kit at the same time, give you a warranty and you will know what you have and it is alot cheaper then a specialty company.
I would prefer the 350 to the 400. The 400 is heavier, larger, heavy duty so it eats about 35 more horse then the smaller 350.
A 350 can also be made to shift better then the 400 with a shift kit.
The 400 is only better for the really high horsepower bigblocks.
If you have a 350 save the money and get it rebuilt and gain that extra 35 horse. You will feel the difference
I would prefer the 350 to the 400. The 400 is heavier, larger, heavy duty so it eats about 35 more horse then the smaller 350.
A 350 can also be made to shift better then the 400 with a shift kit.
The 400 is only better for the really high horsepower bigblocks.
If you have a 350 save the money and get it rebuilt and gain that extra 35 horse. You will feel the difference
I really dont have any big issues on the transmission, except for a persistant leak, shifts good, feels strong. Just wondering if I should take it out, when the motor is out, to clean it the area around it??? Or go through it while it's out and change the convertor to a little higher stall speed.....decisions decisions
Mark