700R4 install ?'s...
Thread Starter
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 12,065
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From: Smalltownville Michigan
Cruise-In 5, 6 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '09
700R4 install ?'s...
Guys, dad and I are building up a 350 for the vette. He is thinking changing out the rear end gears (3.55now) to a 3.08 set up would be the way to go. I know that will help out top end . However, I think that it would be better off if we swapped the TH-350 in favor of a 700R-4 I like the idea of having the overdrive and appears to be a lot less work and cost over changing the rear end gear. Ok, what I am asking is what all do I need to change? I know that Corvette Central has the console and linkage kit to put the 700 in for about 100$ . Now what about the driveshaft and mounts? do i have to modify the driveshaft at all? Is the spline count the same? and I have been keeping a close eye on the board about the TV cable... what exactly does that do? My guess is that it is part of the kickdown system. Am I right??? If this stuff is archived somewhere, I would love to see it. Also, (totally off subject) I have actually got my dad half talked into buying another vette for himself and a computer so he can read this web site. This site is worth the cost of internet everymonth in itself!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
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From: Living in the Hartland
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (Aflac)
Check out the 200r4 before deciding on the 700r4, seems it is bit easier to install (same size as the th350) and has better gear spacing. Th 700r4 does have a great low first gear, not sure about the 200r4 as compared to your th350.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
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From: Exiled to Richmond, VA - Finally sold my house in Murfreesboro, TN ?? Corner of "Bumf*&k and 'You've got a purdy mouth'."
CI 6-7-8 Veteran
CI-VIII Burnout Champ
St. Jude Donor '06-'10, '13
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (Aflac)
You can get all the parts you need for a 700R4 conversion, or information about a 200R4 conversion from http://www.BowTieOverdrives.com . These guys have the cross-member, TV cables, and all the information you need.
By the way, I converted to a 700R4 and never changed the shifter. If adjusted correctly you still get all 4 forward gears. It just doesn't have the different lens showing OD.
By the way, I converted to a 700R4 and never changed the shifter. If adjusted correctly you still get all 4 forward gears. It just doesn't have the different lens showing OD.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
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From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (Aflac)
Going from a 3.55 to a 3.08 is a step in the wrong direction. But installing an OD tranny is a BIG step in the right direction! Personally, I recommend the 200-4R. That ulta-low 1st gear in the 700 is intended for more modern rear gears like 2.81 (or launching at the dragstrip).
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (Aflac)
I did my 700r4 in the end of '97, and went with it because it's what is in the C4, and so just followed suit,....now I wish I had done more research and gone with a 200 4r instead...simpler in install apperently, no driveshaft mods, use a 350 yoke assy...essentially a bolt in swap....first gear is no sweat, you need not bother with that position on the shifter, I don't think it's needed....
you might want to show 2-3-D,over on the numbers, those can be made up by any good sign maker....plaque etcher, like for awards etc...that's what's on my car....
too boot I think the 200 is lighter, I know the 700 is silly in weight...
GENE
you might want to show 2-3-D,over on the numbers, those can be made up by any good sign maker....plaque etcher, like for awards etc...that's what's on my car....
too boot I think the 200 is lighter, I know the 700 is silly in weight...
GENE
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (patsnitrovette)
Yeh, Pat, I agree, swapping gearsets in the diff seems to be a waste of time really, unless there is something really BAD back there, leave it alone....
just about the most to be gained from a gear swap is 20% engine rpm change....in most situations....excluding say 373-411 gears from say 308 gears, obviously....but anything in the mid 3's like my 336 or a 355, swapping to a 308 is a waste of time and money.....the tranny for a 30% rpm reduction on the highway is the ONLY way to fly...
GENE
just about the most to be gained from a gear swap is 20% engine rpm change....in most situations....excluding say 373-411 gears from say 308 gears, obviously....but anything in the mid 3's like my 336 or a 355, swapping to a 308 is a waste of time and money.....the tranny for a 30% rpm reduction on the highway is the ONLY way to fly...
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Severna Park Md
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (mrvette)
I would recomend leaving the 3.55's alone and swapping in a 2004r. The 200has .67 overdrive in 4th. So do the math...3.55x.67=2.37, now thats a nice final drive ratio dont you think? Plus the 200 has a lower first than the th350. the 200 first is 2.74 compared to the 2.52 of the 350. im running 3.90 with my 2004r and I tach 2250 at 65mph in 4th. It shifts hard into 4th at full throttle. Top of third with the 3.90's is 110mph at 5500rpm, then bam, still gotta another gear to wind thru. Its nice. :D
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Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (Jvette73)
Jvette, you know, depending on a lot of variables, I just may some day swap for a 200 4r tranny, when this POS craps out again...as I"m convinced it will just a matter of time...design flaws prevent it from ever really attaining what it could be, but that a basic element IMO and can't be corrected....SO, I think I will go with the 200 next time as it's just not worth sinking money after this boat anchor...so the acquisition of a 200 is going to be done someday soon as a buildup candidate just waiting for the final disposition of the 700 in the car now....
I tend to beleive the jury, mostly the correct decisions are made under that system....
GENE
I tend to beleive the jury, mostly the correct decisions are made under that system....
GENE
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (mrvette)
GENE..you'll like the 200 when you get it dialed in. I got mine from BTO and while they make a good product for a good price it still needed some tuning to adjust to my liking. A shift kit for firmer shifts helped it as well as a modified govenor to raise the WOT upshifts. I got the extras from Bruce Tolle at PTS. Have you checked out the trans talk section of the Turbobuick.com page? bout the best 200 tech talk you can find anywhere over that way.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 2,581
Likes: 14
From: Tolar Texas
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (Aflac)
Without a doubt, I think you should keep the 3.55's and install either the 2004R or 700R4. If you Search the CorvetteForum Archives for automatic O.D. trans swaps, you will be overloaded with detailed info! Also check out http://www.corvettefaq.com :thumbs:
For quick comparison, check out these speed vs. RPM calculations from http://www.smokemup.com
For quick comparison, check out these speed vs. RPM calculations from http://www.smokemup.com
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (MIKER)
Without a doubt, I think you should keep the 3.55's and install either the 2004R or 700R4. If you Search the CorvetteForum Archives for automatic O.D. trans swaps, you will be overloaded with detailed info! Also check out http://www.corvettefaq.com :thumbs:
For quick comparison, check out these speed vs. RPM calculations from http://www.smokemup.com
For quick comparison, check out these speed vs. RPM calculations from http://www.smokemup.com
GReat Post by the way :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,683
Likes: 202
From: Waterford Mi
Re: 700R4 install ?'s... (Alwyn678)
The 200R4 is the way to go. I changed my rear gears from the 3.08 to the 3.55. I don't know why you would want to go the other way. There is a link to my trans swap on my home page.
