Transmision swap and Idea??
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 136
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Transmision swap and Idea??
I have an 81 vette th350 and wish for a 4speed with od, the clear to most would be the 700r4 for the thirilling 1st gear but from speaking with chris at bowtie overdrives the 200 is a more sound choice for my applications my question is if I went with the 700r4 you have to have the drive shaft shaved and re balanced would it be possible just to purchase a drive shaft from an 82 vette that came with a 700r4 or would i still need to have it balanced?? if this has been asked before I apolgize and please help would you go wtih the 2004r or the 700r4
the use of my car is a cruiser but every now and then or kinda offen I like to put my foot down and enjoy the rush but I relax drive quiet often really need help figuring this one out either trans mission would be a stage 3 from bow tie over drive?? help me please?
the use of my car is a cruiser but every now and then or kinda offen I like to put my foot down and enjoy the rush but I relax drive quiet often really need help figuring this one out either trans mission would be a stage 3 from bow tie over drive?? help me please?
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,708
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Originally Posted by bickel
I have an 81 vette th350 and wish for a 4speed with od, the clear to most would be the 700r4 for the thirilling 1st gear but from speaking with chris at bowtie overdrives the 200 is a more sound choice for my applications my question is if I went with the 700r4 you have to have the drive shaft shaved and re balanced would it be possible just to purchase a drive shaft from an 82 vette that came with a 700r4 or would i still need to have it balanced?? if this has been asked before I apolgize and please help would you go wtih the 2004r or the 700r4
the use of my car is a cruiser but every now and then or kinda offen I like to put my foot down and enjoy the rush but I relax drive quiet often really need help figuring this one out either trans mission would be a stage 3 from bow tie over drive?? help me please?
the use of my car is a cruiser but every now and then or kinda offen I like to put my foot down and enjoy the rush but I relax drive quiet often really need help figuring this one out either trans mission would be a stage 3 from bow tie over drive?? help me please?
I always wondered about the 82 drive shaft idea. Certainly, the length should be fine but I'm not sure if the rear U-joint size is the same. Otherwise, I think that it should work but have never heard anyone that tried it.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 518
Likes: 17
The 700 is better for rear gears of 3.08 or higher (lower numerically), while the 200 is better with 3.36 or lower (higher numerically).
Getting a direshaft shortened and balanced should cost only $100 or less...
Doug
Getting a direshaft shortened and balanced should cost only $100 or less...
Doug
Originally Posted by CA-Legal-Vette
I have an 81 and went with the 200-4r. The 200 has a slightly higher first gear than the 350 but not as much as the 700. Frankly, i can't notice the difference. The OD is definately nice.
I always wondered about the 82 drive shaft idea. Certainly, the length should be fine but I'm not sure if the rear U-joint size is the same. Otherwise, I think that it should work but have never heard anyone that tried it.
I always wondered about the 82 drive shaft idea. Certainly, the length should be fine but I'm not sure if the rear U-joint size is the same. Otherwise, I think that it should work but have never heard anyone that tried it.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
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I am a fan of the 700r4. I like the 3.06 first gear ratio. It allows for great accelleration with a 3.08 axle. You do not "need" alot of rear gear to make them work. When properly built, they are reliable, at a reasonable cost. I have one in my own car that runs high 10 sec et's and has been reliable.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
I replaced the TH350 on my 79 with Bowtie's 2004R. I reused the stock shaft and u-joint no problem. My 79 has the 355 rear so the 1st gear in the 2004R is plenty low enough. Shift RPM with the stage 3 the way my TV cable is adjusted is 6100 RPM behind my slightly modified engine and the shifts are very firm and crisp with the stage 3.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by doug_dayson
The 700 is better for rear gears of 3.08 or higher (lower numerically), while the 200 is better with 3.36 or lower (higher numerically).
Getting a direshaft shortened and balanced should cost only $100 or less...
Doug
Getting a direshaft shortened and balanced should cost only $100 or less...
Doug
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
i have the 700r4.......... dougs point is RIGHT ON TARGET......pay attention to this
IF I keep the 700, replacing parts yet again.....I will ditch my 336 ratio and go for a 308 rear at least that nearly useless first gear may not shift so fast, as it is the thing shifts in about 2 seconds in normal driving, IF that....engine doing maybe 2500 rpm.....even if it tip the can a bit, thing shifts well before 4000 rpms......useless first gear, why bother with it....
frankly I dunno why a 4 speed automatic anyway....hell a .7 overdrive in a th 350 would be fine, with any normal lockup converter....2.0, to 1.0 to .7 or even .6 overdrive would be a wonderful gearset, with a 336 rear, not much for trucks but a 3300 lbs vette with any 350 engine, perfect....maybe not for 60' times, but as a street driver with decent rubber....hell, any automatic with any V8 can break the street tires loose no sweat....more than that seems a bit of a waste, no??
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by mrvette
.hell, any automatic with any V8 can break the street tires loose no sweat....more than that seems a bit of a waste, no??
the driving with the TH350 is not freah in your mind any more......it stundk in a corvette at both ends of the spectrum...........
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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Originally Posted by mrvette
IF I keep the 700, replacing parts yet again.....I will ditch my 336 ratio and go for a 308 rear at least that nearly useless first gear may not shift so fast, as it is the thing shifts in about 2 seconds in normal driving, IF that....engine doing maybe 2500 rpm.....even if it tip the can a bit, thing shifts well before 4000 rpms......useless first gear, why bother with it....
frankly I dunno why a 4 speed automatic anyway....hell a .7 overdrive in a th 350 would be fine, with any normal lockup converter....2.0, to 1.0 to .7 or even .6 overdrive would be a wonderful gearset, with a 336 rear, not much for trucks but a 3300 lbs vette with any 350 engine, perfect....maybe not for 60' times, but as a street driver with decent rubber....hell, any automatic with any V8 can break the street tires loose no sweat....more than that seems a bit of a waste, no??
frankly I dunno why a 4 speed automatic anyway....hell a .7 overdrive in a th 350 would be fine, with any normal lockup converter....2.0, to 1.0 to .7 or even .6 overdrive would be a wonderful gearset, with a 336 rear, not much for trucks but a 3300 lbs vette with any 350 engine, perfect....maybe not for 60' times, but as a street driver with decent rubber....hell, any automatic with any V8 can break the street tires loose no sweat....more than that seems a bit of a waste, no??
From a dollar and cents point of view, you may very well be better off with a well built 2004r. It will save the expense of changing rear gears.
Pro
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 518
Likes: 17
You can adjust the governor to have them shift where ever you want.
B&M sells a kit with various weight and springs etc, likely others as well. My 700 WOT 1-2 shifts at 6K RPM, and 2-3/3-4 at 5.5K RPM (have to let off a little at top of 3 to get it to shift), with one spring removed (I think, it's been a while?). TV Cable adjustment infuences this as well.
The 700's 3.06 first gear was designed for a 3.08 performance rear gear, and works great with one (that's what I have in my C3, and it's what was available in C4's too). If you have a lower rear gear you'll never hook in first with street tires...
Doug
B&M sells a kit with various weight and springs etc, likely others as well. My 700 WOT 1-2 shifts at 6K RPM, and 2-3/3-4 at 5.5K RPM (have to let off a little at top of 3 to get it to shift), with one spring removed (I think, it's been a while?). TV Cable adjustment infuences this as well.
The 700's 3.06 first gear was designed for a 3.08 performance rear gear, and works great with one (that's what I have in my C3, and it's what was available in C4's too). If you have a lower rear gear you'll never hook in first with street tires...
Doug
Originally Posted by mrvette
IF I keep the 700, replacing parts yet again.....I will ditch my 336 ratio and go for a 308 rear at least that nearly useless first gear may not shift so fast, as it is the thing shifts in about 2 seconds in normal driving, IF that....engine doing maybe 2500 rpm.....even if it tip the can a bit, thing shifts well before 4000 rpms......useless first gear, why bother with it....
frankly I dunno why a 4 speed automatic anyway....hell a .7 overdrive in a th 350 would be fine, with any normal lockup converter....2.0, to 1.0 to .7 or even .6 overdrive would be a wonderful gearset, with a 336 rear, not much for trucks but a 3300 lbs vette with any 350 engine, perfect....maybe not for 60' times, but as a street driver with decent rubber....hell, any automatic with any V8 can break the street tires loose no sweat....more than that seems a bit of a waste, no??
frankly I dunno why a 4 speed automatic anyway....hell a .7 overdrive in a th 350 would be fine, with any normal lockup converter....2.0, to 1.0 to .7 or even .6 overdrive would be a wonderful gearset, with a 336 rear, not much for trucks but a 3300 lbs vette with any 350 engine, perfect....maybe not for 60' times, but as a street driver with decent rubber....hell, any automatic with any V8 can break the street tires loose no sweat....more than that seems a bit of a waste, no??