I have a 78 with basically the stock, mildly worn 350 in it. I've put headers on it, RPM performer intake and Edelbrock carb. and a flex fan (soon to be clutch fan again). Sometime ago I changed out the 3.0? rear-end with a 3.55 posi. Of course now my speedometer is off and my RPM's are higher than I like cruising down the highway. I would like to change out the tranny for perhaps a 700R4 or something else with overdrive that would mate up well with my 350. Currently it has the stock Turbo 350. Any thoughts, help or direction on choosing would be greatly appreciated. I don't have ton of money at this point, so it needs to be kinda cost effective.

I also need to know what donor vehicles to look for.....

Thanks in advance guys,
Rowdy

 

IMO, do a 200 4r out of 80's like monte carlo any ofthem that fit a chebby pattern....they are the tranny the Grand National guys turn 9s' with in a 3900? lbs car....so they are fine for us shark owners...

you can pick one up at a junkyard, or like I did a tranny supply house....and then buy the rebuilt kits off the internet or ebay,....then the shift kit you want is TRANS GO, accept NO other....

converters and pumps you should get locally as shipping is a bitch....

I paid 60 bux for the complete core, kit ran 160 something, pump 130, converter 120, Trans GO shift kit another 80?.....

so I had 500 into it, did the rebuild myself....READ THE BOOK FIRST the parts houses have instruction books by ATSG....

IF you have a decent set of snap ring pliars or like I do, with removeable jaws and reversable action...i'ts not that bad a job....

doo able in about 2 daze....

easy do in a day NOW, for me...

 

Personally, i think the 700R4 is a great transmission, but others would disagree. It has a more aggressive first gear and an overdrive, so you will get a better take off at a dead stop and better mileage on the highways.

The 700R4 should work well with your engine, but will have other fit issues. The 700R4 is longer, so you will need to replace your drive shaft and your cross member. The 1982 Corvette used a 7000R4, so if you find a 1982 donor car you can get the drive shaft and cross member. They should be a direct replacement for your car.

Several people say that the 700R4 put in the 1989+ C4 corvettes were stronger than the pre-1989 700R4, so you may want to look for a newer 700R4 if you decide to go that way.

This site: http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml has some good information about different transmissions.

Good Luck and i hope you find what you're looking for (whatever that may be)!

 

I'd like everyone's opinion on this transmission. Just put in a new GM350/290HP engine in my 76 and blew out the original transmission. Need to get a new one so let me know about this one:
: TCI
Product Line: TCI Street Rodder Transmission Packages
Part Type: Automatic Transmission Packages
Part Number: TCI-311038P1
Transmission Included: Yes
Case Material: Aluminum
Case Finish: Silver
Valve Body Style: Automatic
Trans-Brake Included: No
Transmission Dust Cover Included: No
Pan Type: Deep cast aluminum
Dipstick Provision: Yes
Dipstick Included: Yes
Fluid Fill Location: Case
Transmission Fluid Included: Yes
Transmission Fluid Type: TCI RTF
Transmission Fluid Quantity: 12 qt.
Transmission Shield Built In: No
Flexplate Shield Built In: No
Electronic Transmission Controller Included: No
Torque Converter Diameter (in): 12 in.
Torque Converter Included: Yes
Advertised Flash Stall Rating (rpm): 1,700 rpm
Lockup: No
Furnace Brazed: Yes
Transmission Cooler Included: Yes
Cooler Construction: Tube and fin
Cooler Material: Aluminum
Cooler Finish: Black painted
Quantity: Sold as a kit.

TH350 TRANSMITION PACKAGE

Check to make sure this part fits your application
Complete transmission packages from the professionals at TCI Automotive.
Perfect for a mild daily driver or street rod, these TCI Street Rodder transmission packages give you all of the components necessary to install a new transmission. They include a TCI triple transmission with an installed shift improver kit to allow firmer shifts, yet retain the fully automatic features of the valve body. TCI Street Rodder transmission packages feature a TCI precision torque converter, a universal transmission cooler, and three gallons of premium TCI RTF transmission fluid.

 

Some very good information there!
Thanks for the heads up!

I think a TH700R4 will be a good match, now I just need some input on the best donor vehicles to scrounge through to get one

 

If you go with the 700. 1988 up. Anything below had issues.

 

I did the the 700R. Real happy with it although I had to cut the driveshaft and then had to have it balanced 3 times !

If I did it again I'd probably do the 200R just so I could use the same driveshaft.

 

i'm a 4spd guy but the 700r4 is a good choice imo although contact summit tech support they are very helpful.

 

Look for late third generation F-bodies (Camaros and Firebirds); they are better than the more pedestrian versions. 87-92. The Vette versions have some upgrades, but nothing the aftermarket can't address, and you have th change the tailhousing on the Vette versions.

 

go with a 4L60 its a better then 700r4. use trubo 400 cross member and a 82 vette drive shaft . you will have to change the end that goes in trannsmission, since the 82 driveshaft end was for a 700r4 and the 4L60 driveshaft end has more spines which is better. then everything will bolt up.

 

There is no difference in the output shaft spline count between TH700R4 or 4L60 (or 4L60e, which is different-electronic control). The upgrades from a TH700R4 to a 4L60 were minor; it was essentially just a change in nomenclature. 4-4 speeds L-Longitudinal (as opposed to T-transverse, for FWD applications) 60- torque rating code (higher being better). The 4L60 has a TV cable setup just like a TH700R4; the 4L60E needs a control box ($) if you aren't running an injected motor with the PCM to accomodate it (LT ,LQ, or LS series motors). Not sure what years the 4L60 was offered in other applications, but in F-bodies it was 93 only. All since were 4L60E.