Gear Vendors or DNE2?
03-08-2019, 02:09 PM
#1
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Gear Vendors or DNE2?
Hi everyone. I am still relatively new to this forum, so if this thread is already posted please forgive my FNG status. I have a ‘72 with a 383 stroker and a TH400. I am wanting to add overdrive, but I’m on a budget. I was looking on Craigslist and came across 2 options. First one is a Doug Nash DNE2 for a Turbo 400 here in town ( metro Phoenix area) for $600. Looks like it’s pretty clean, just the unit with the wires coming out of it. The second option is a Gear Vendors unit in California ( Brentwood/ Oakley) for $500. It also looks pretty clean, and the owner claims it’s the “big one- turbo 400 output and the big oil pan too!”. But he doesn’t know the history on it, and it looks like it is just the unit. No wiring or anything else. I don’t really know much about either of these units. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
03-08-2019, 02:41 PM
#2
Hi everyone. I am still relatively new to this forum, so if this thread is already posted please forgive my FNG status. I have a ‘72 with a 383 stroker and a TH400. I am wanting to add overdrive, but I’m on a budget. I was looking on Craigslist and came across 2 options. First one is a Doug Nash DNE2 for a Turbo 400 here in town ( metro Phoenix area) for $600. Looks like it’s pretty clean, just the unit with the wires coming out of it. The second option is a Gear Vendors unit in California ( Brentwood/ Oakley) for $500. It also looks pretty clean, and the owner claims it’s the “big one- turbo 400 output and the big oil pan too!”. But he doesn’t know the history on it, and it looks like it is just the unit. No wiring or anything else. I don’t really know much about either of these units. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
03-08-2019, 03:03 PM
#3
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
Those were common on motorhomes at one time. See if the seller is Ok with having a trans shop give it an ok. BigBird has a good point...is there a reason a traditional OD trans wont work?
03-08-2019, 03:11 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Might you perhaps consider changing the gearing in your differential? It's probably no harder than what you propose, and possibly the same price, if you DIY.
Last edited by Bikespace; 03-08-2019 at 03:12 PM.
03-08-2019, 03:24 PM
#5
Race Director
They won't fit in the tunnel without major surgery on the body. An Od trans is a better option. I know you have a budget but trying to get these to fit will cost more than an OD trans if they could even be fitted.
03-08-2019, 03:24 PM
#6
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Cost is my major obstacle here. I like the strength of the 400. I have a BluePrint 383 430hp/450lb engine with a Fitech 600hp fuel injection setup. Whatever I put behind it needs to be strong. But I really don’t want to cut up the trans tunnel
03-08-2019, 05:09 PM
#9
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Ok. Its looking like a built od trans is the direction I’ll have to take. Kinda sucks though. I really love that turbo 400. They are bulletproof. Thanks everyone for the knowledge.
03-08-2019, 06:34 PM
#11
Le Mans Master
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https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...-pictures.html
thread where CF member swapped DIY from TH400 to 2004R
thread where CF member swapped DIY from TH400 to 2004R
03-08-2019, 06:41 PM
#12
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St. Jude Donor '05
What gear do you have now? What cam?
nothing wrong with cruising at 3k or so wont hurt a thing and will be in/near its sweet spot more than likely
nothing wrong with cruising at 3k or so wont hurt a thing and will be in/near its sweet spot more than likely
03-08-2019, 11:08 PM
#13
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I’m not sure about the ring gear. I’m assuming it’s stock (3:08?) because the rest of the rear suspension looks unmodified. Here’s the engine setup; engine block 4.000” bored .040” over, crankshaft 3.750 stroke, connecting rods 5.700”, Hypereutectic pistons, aluminum heads 64cc chamber, 2.02” intake/1.60 exhaust valves, 195cc intake/75cc exhaust runners, flat tappet cam .480 intake / .486 exhaust, 229 intake / 230 exhaust duration @ .050. Compression ratio is 10.0:1. Topped off with an Edelbrock Performer intake with a Fitech 600hp fuel injecton, and a billet HEI style distributor.
Last edited by Batty Mantis; 03-09-2019 at 02:06 AM.
03-08-2019, 11:17 PM
#14
Le Mans Master
It is worth checking your rear ratio. Easy to do with an assistant, jackstands, and a piece of tape on the driveshaft. I wouldn't have guessed you'd need an overdrive if you already had 3.07 gears.
The engine sounds like a blast to drive.
The engine sounds like a blast to drive.
03-08-2019, 11:24 PM
#15
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Lol. It’s definitely a tire burning donut machine. Right now it’s fine for driving around here, but I also want to take it to visit family who live a little north of San Diego which is about a 7 hour drive.
03-08-2019, 11:28 PM
#16
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lol. It’s definitely a tire burning donut machine. Right now it’s fine driving it around here, but I also want to take it out to visit family just north of San Diego which is about a 7 hour drive.
Last edited by Batty Mantis; 03-09-2019 at 12:03 AM.
03-09-2019, 01:34 AM
#17
Race Director
I did the research on the Gear Vendor OD and even their tech services department told me that their unit would not fit in the trans tunnel on a C3 Corvette without modification.
03-09-2019, 08:57 AM
#18
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Lots of helpful advice here. I’m glad I signed on. Thanks again everyone. Now I guess my next thing to do is find the thread discussing 200R4 vs 700R4. For some reason it seems like rebuilt 700s are cheaper around here lol.
03-09-2019, 10:20 AM
#19
Race Director
200 is bolt-in. Hafta buy Th350 front yoke and maybe adapter U joint. 700 is longer. Driveshaft shortening and may need moving the mount.
03-09-2019, 10:20 AM
#20
Some guys like 200R because it requires no driveshaft modification.
Some like the 700R, but need to shorten the driveshaft.
Both have a few weaknesses that can be corrected.
If you get a built 700R using a later truck case, your halfway there. Figure $3000 for a nice tranny, new cross member, and TV cable/shifter kit. It can also be set up for hydraulic lock up, eliminating any electrical BS to operate same.
Some like the 700R, but need to shorten the driveshaft.
Both have a few weaknesses that can be corrected.
If you get a built 700R using a later truck case, your halfway there. Figure $3000 for a nice tranny, new cross member, and TV cable/shifter kit. It can also be set up for hydraulic lock up, eliminating any electrical BS to operate same.
