doctorgene

Hey, What we are talking about is an old 1980, and it will work, are you reading the same thread. They sell the exhaust system that goes dual on one side. Corvette Central and I'm sure the rest of the suppliers have it also. and yes the shift cable is the same, but the bracket that holds it on to the 700R is different. Have you put one of these in, or are you just talking. Have a great one. Gene

scottyp99

OK, just to clarify things a little, yes it is a 1980, it has the aluminum "batwing" differential, so I should be OK with the 1982 drive shaft, right? I cant get the x member, it is being used on the car (it now has a manual with custom drive shaft, but x member was modified for use with the new manual tranny) so I think I will be using the one from bow tie (only about $125 or so, worth it I think)

I am actually using the Corvette Central exhaust that sends both pipes down the passenger side, very nice setup, came with everything from the exhaust gaskets to the tailpipes, only about $620 or so, very good bargain. I think the new x member will allow me to run a regular dual exhaust, but why bother? This exhaust works fine (also, any heat from exhaust, the passenger has to deal with, not me!!!! hahaha!!!)

I was hoping there was a kit to make it simple, but I guess I will have to take your advise and call a few places and set something up. Has anybody ever thought of making a rebuild kit like I am thinking of? Say, "Everything you need to build your 700r4 to take 350 hp, 350 ft. lbs. " that sort of thing? Tranny retailers, are you listening?

OK, thanks for now, see ya


Scott

Mr.Kiss

you can get low gear in the factory shifter if you take a die grinder and notch anouther detent into the rear side of the shifter plate and you will have low gear just go a little at a time to get it right. Thats all i did to my shifter.

The kit you want is a transgo 700 2-3 kit and install the recomended parts in the kit and you will have a strong 700, the most important part is have someone install it that knows what they are doing because the whole trans should be done when you install the kit .. stay away from pre 87 transmissions.

KENS80V

I converted from a 700R4 to a 4L60E in my 1980 Vette and have the carb bracket (powdercoated) and GM TV cable for sale if you're interested. They were installed in mid 80"s trucks.

Did you get the dipstick and tube with the tranny? If not than I can give you the part numbers for the correct ones to buy (about $30). Most dipstick and tubes are too tall to fit under the low hood heights of the Corvettes.

scottyp99

I got the transmission out of an '88 IROC, would the hood hieght be low enough?


Scott

KENS80V

Yes. The dipstick/tube should be the correct height for you if it came from the 88 IROC. Dipstick/tubes that would be too tall would be from trucks or vans.

Tin_Can_Terminator

Hi all!!

Digging this up as I want to do the same thing as OP.

I have a 80 vette with a mild 355 build. Stock 3.08 rear end. I have a modded cross member sourced and I know I will need to shorten my drive shaft.

I would like to hear from peeps that have actually done this in a 80 or 81 vette. I will be using a 700r4/4l60 trans. ( I know of the 200r and I am not interested. )

Has anyone had issues with the car bogging at mild cruise speeds ( 45-55 ) ?

What stall speed on the Torque converter did you go with ? My Cam is a 2k-6k operating range.

How did you set up the lock up circuit ?

Please only people that have done this with an 80-81. Other models will not face the same challenges.

Thanks in advance.

TCT

Gale Banks 80'

I did this conversion on my 80 back in about 1985 or so long before there were any aftermarket parts or kits avalable. I modified the Stock Cross Member if I remember right all it took was a Plate extending forward a bit from the stock 350 location. I remember Welding it in but it might be able to be done with bolts. I used a 82 Dip Stick as they were avalable still from GM. The Stock Shifter Cable Mount is not the same bolt pattern as the 700 and I just moded it to work, it could no longer be put in manual 1st gear but I never figured out why I would want to. I had the Driveline shortened but latter on I found out that its the same for my TKO 600 I have now. The Cooling Lines are no big deal, they need to be Bent, Flared or something nothing a local Auto Parts store can't provide. At that Point I have a Holley Carb so I needed a new TV Cable set up wich were just starting to come out in the Aftermarket at the time. So basicly You can do this conversion with out any Aftermarket Parts, however since they are readely avalable today its your choice to decide on your Skills and what You want it to look like when You are all done.

Tin_Can_Terminator

Does anyone KNOW if a 79 Drive Shaft will work in an 80 Corvette ? I can get a 79 drive shaft fairly cheap and I want to cut it down instead of my 80.

Thanks

TCT

RickHawrylak

I have a 1978 Corvette and it has the TH 350 Auto.

The new engine will be a 383 Dart SB with about 495HP.

Now I can get the TH350 rebuilt to take the HP/T and add a Gear Vendor tail piece for about $2600 and then I have an over drive but would need to shorten the drive shaft about 5 ".

I do not know much about the 200R4 so I need to understand if it is stronger that the 700R4 that if it is built strong I think it still has one weak spot that cannot be made stronger.

Who can give be the pros and cons on these three different ways to get me going so I can drive from Houston to Florida at 75MPH and at about 2200 RPM?
Rick from Tomball

mrvette

Unless Gear Vendors has altered the ratio, it's only a 20% drop in RPM, with a 200 4r you get more like 30-32% drop.....200 4r is the way to go, it's a bolt in, essentially....I have a 200 in my '72 for years now, built it myself with most all the GOOD parts, and a Trans Go Shift Kit.....

add

riverracer au

shiftworks make a replacement "horseshoe" with the correct cutouts in it already, just bolts in place of original.
even has a decal label showing the new gear positions
http://www.shiftworks.com/corvette-68-81.htm

i luckily had all detents when i swapped mine, but changed it anyway as i bought the shiftworks kit already.
you usually only miss out on pulling into low/1st gear, no biggie.

or here https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...etent-mod.html

bobs77vet

go to bow tie over drives they have all the info and buy the engineered parts including the trans cross member, I had to have the drive shaft shortened.

also add an X or H pipe it will pick up the low end torque....
its a great swap

george2066

are you sure you want a 700r4? I have that in mine, while it works great, I put up shift points I would love to tweak. I dread the thought of dropping the pan to tweak.I have a b&m 2400 stall TC, bowtie tranny x member makes the ebrake cable a breeze, not a big deal getting the driveshaft shortened and balanced
Today i would go with the 460le, built up, with a computer from tci to tweak my shifts and maybe paddle shift would be awesome, same money

rpoL98

just my humble opinion, not so sure that a 4L60E, plus the cost of the auxiliary computer, is equal to the 700R4 cost. The trans might cost about the same, but the computer adds significant cost (while providing the mentioned benefit).

Although, I do think the prices on the trans controller computers is dropping.

I think the 4L60E is a no-brainer if you're doing an LS build, then the computer controller is already built in to the PCM.

riverracer au

have a look at the orig posts date, 2009, a couple from 2013, then a few last couple days.....

v2racing

You don't have to pull the pan to change shift points. There is a dome on the left side of the tranny that has the governor under it. Just pull the dome cover and pull out the governor. Buy a kit with weights and springs. You'll have to experiment to get the part throttle and WOT shift points you want.

Mike