700R4 Help Please
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,414
Likes: 1
From: NC
700R4 Help Please
I have been thinking of replacing my 400 trans with a 200r4 someday. I opened the local classifieds today and someone has a "TCI 700R4" transmission and converter from 1989 Firebird Formula TPI 350 for sale.
Can anyone offer some advise as to this would be a suitable replacement?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Bill
Can anyone offer some advise as to this would be a suitable replacement?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Bill
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Yes, probably. If you buy a 700R4 you want an '88 up core. I would verify the date on the main case. There are plenty of posts detailing the swap and pros and cons of 700R4s. If you use an F-body transmission you may have to use a different tailhousing with a mount if you use the stock crossmember. If you use a BowTie (or similar) crossmember, you can keep the F-body tail.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,725
Likes: 5
From: Minnesota
It'll work fine. At a minimum though I'd suggest taking the pan off and checking for any metal filings etc. Fabricating the mount really isn't that hard. The driveshaft will need to be shortened and all the usual tranny swap stuff. Do a search and you should find lots of info. An OD is well worth the effort.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
www.700r4.com
or what we call BTO has all the answers to all the questions you have and supplies all the parts you need also. i like my 700r4
or what we call BTO has all the answers to all the questions you have and supplies all the parts you need also. i like my 700r4
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 8,837
Likes: 1,028
I have been thinking of replacing my 400 trans with a 200r4 someday. I opened the local classifieds today and someone has a "TCI 700R4" transmission and converter from 1989 Firebird Formula TPI 350 for sale.
Can anyone offer some advise as to this would be a suitable replacement?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Bill
Can anyone offer some advise as to this would be a suitable replacement?
Any help would be appreciated
Thanks
Bill
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
Yes, probably. If you buy a 700R4 you want an '88 up core. I would verify the date on the main case. There are plenty of posts detailing the swap and pros and cons of 700R4s. If you use an F-body transmission you may have to use a different tailhousing with a mount if you use the stock crossmember. If you use a BowTie (or similar) crossmember, you can keep the F-body tail.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
In actually later '87 on up they went to another aux valve body in the castings, and it did something I forget what, to increase reliability....
supposedly....I not a fan of the 700 and if you go to the various builder sites and see the list of possible 'fixes for the 3/4 clutch pack repeated failures, and the prices of what they call 'shells' and so forth, they are notorious weak spots.....
buy a 200 4r and have done with it....much easier....
much simpler....
fits better and lighter weight.....
supposedly....I not a fan of the 700 and if you go to the various builder sites and see the list of possible 'fixes for the 3/4 clutch pack repeated failures, and the prices of what they call 'shells' and so forth, they are notorious weak spots.....
buy a 200 4r and have done with it....much easier....
much simpler....
fits better and lighter weight.....
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Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,518
Likes: 19
The first 3 months of production during the 87 model year was non aux valve body. Aux vb versions are not really desirable because of the aux vb. It was the other improvements that did it. The non aux models used a turbo 350 (smaller) lo-roller clutch. The wider one was use in the aux vb models. The other goodies are:
10 vane pump
better reverse apply package
28 element forward sprag
10 vane pump
better reverse apply package
28 element forward sprag
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,135
Likes: 1
In actually later '87 on up they went to another aux valve body in the castings, and it did something I forget what, to increase reliability....
supposedly....I not a fan of the 700 and if you go to the various builder sites and see the list of possible 'fixes for the 3/4 clutch pack repeated failures, and the prices of what they call 'shells' and so forth, they are notorious weak spots.....
buy a 200 4r and have done with it....much easier....
much simpler....
fits better and lighter weight.....
supposedly....I not a fan of the 700 and if you go to the various builder sites and see the list of possible 'fixes for the 3/4 clutch pack repeated failures, and the prices of what they call 'shells' and so forth, they are notorious weak spots.....
buy a 200 4r and have done with it....much easier....
much simpler....
fits better and lighter weight.....
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
YUP, sure was....and my '87 vette was suffering with a dyeing automatic, when I sold it....got out from under....
enough allready....2 grand in PARTS alone MY cost....in 3 years....
I figgered I was spending money on parts, I may as well hotrod a vette than just FIX it....
enough allready....2 grand in PARTS alone MY cost....in 3 years....
I figgered I was spending money on parts, I may as well hotrod a vette than just FIX it....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,720
Likes: 12
From: Chattanooga TN
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
700 or 200??/
hayman,
I understand that the 200R4 is the same length as the T400 and you don't have to change the crossmember if going from a 400 to a 200 as the mounts are almost in the same place. I'd have a good trans shop go through it before fitting and have a shift kit fitted. The shop should know which parts are weak and need replacing.
If you buy the 700, you will have to do a lot more fabricating to make it fit. I own a '74 with a T400 and would like to fit an OD trans, and given a choice, I'd go for a 200.
Just my two cents worth.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
I understand that the 200R4 is the same length as the T400 and you don't have to change the crossmember if going from a 400 to a 200 as the mounts are almost in the same place. I'd have a good trans shop go through it before fitting and have a shift kit fitted. The shop should know which parts are weak and need replacing.
If you buy the 700, you will have to do a lot more fabricating to make it fit. I own a '74 with a T400 and would like to fit an OD trans, and given a choice, I'd go for a 200.
Just my two cents worth.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
