What makes a Corvette 700R4??
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: St Joseph IL
What makes a Corvette 700R4??
I tried to post earlier but I don't think it made it.
I am wondering, what makes a Corvette 700R4 different from other 700's? (Mine is an '84)
Is there any new technology that can make the Vette tranny better? Not so much a complete rebuild....mine is fine so far.
Is there any kits that can add to performance on a 23 year old transmission??
Robert
I am wondering, what makes a Corvette 700R4 different from other 700's? (Mine is an '84)
Is there any new technology that can make the Vette tranny better? Not so much a complete rebuild....mine is fine so far.
Is there any kits that can add to performance on a 23 year old transmission??
Robert
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 8,838
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From: Australia
"what makes a Corvette 700R4 different from other 700's? (Mine is an '84)"
Same internals as any other T700.
Special tailshaft housing to suit C beam.
Stronger servo and possibly different shift programming.
Approx '88 upgrades were made including a 30 spline input shaft, previously 27 spline.
If your trans is sound ,a shift kit can do wonders for performance use.
Same internals as any other T700.
Special tailshaft housing to suit C beam.
Stronger servo and possibly different shift programming.
Approx '88 upgrades were made including a 30 spline input shaft, previously 27 spline.
If your trans is sound ,a shift kit can do wonders for performance use.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2000
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From: The Top of Utah
The corvette trans also has a feature that allows full throttle in 4th (OD) gear that other won't allow. The 700R4 was the recipient of constant up grades from it's inception until about 1988, there they finally took care of most of the problems. The input shaft spline changed during 1984. Most '84s have the 27 spline. Late 1984 on up are all 30 spline. Pete K. is our resident auto trans expert. He and others that have installed them are better equipped to advise on the best shift kits.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
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Run a search on my name, and you will find many threads to read on the subject. I do not like the way that transgo shift kit shims the servo pin. I have seen a few burnt bands in transmissions that have them.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,384
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From: Reno/Sparks Nevada
I believe the early C4 trans had a 7 vane pump and the later ones had a 10 vane pump. Also an improvement to the front seal retainer allowed fluid to bypass thereby preventing seal blowout which was common. An upgrade to an 88 or later 700R4 along with some performance mods will produce a transmission that can take some punishment yet be even more reliable than the earlier transmissions. I don't think there is lot that can be done to an earlier trans other than a shift kit and maybe some servo work. I don't like the shift kits but that's my opinion. Short of an upgrade or rebuild any mods to your existing trans may shorten it's life.
Art
Art
Last edited by MrRenoman; Nov 18, 2007 at 12:41 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Australia
"Short of an upgrade or rebuild any mods to your existing trans may shorten it's life."
All things being equal a shift kit will extend the life of a trans because the shifts are faster = less slippage = longer life.
All things being equal a shift kit will extend the life of a trans because the shifts are faster = less slippage = longer life.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 936
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From: Tyrone PA
I have an '89 with the 700R4. I installed a B+M Shift improver kit. I like it. I didn't go with a full shift kit as I am on the low end of the learning curve with transmissions and I wanted to install it myself. I'm very happy with it. I do wish there was an easy way to raise the part throttle shift rpm's as I don't like being in 3rd gear at 20mph when I cruise around.
Race Director
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by dan0617
I do wish there was an easy way to raise the part throttle shift rpm's as I don't like being in 3rd gear at 20mph when I cruise around.
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Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
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From: Dallas Texas
I agree with the anti shift kit guys. Shift kits are more trouble than they are worth. The engineers at GM set the shift time and shift quality up the way they did for a reason and unless you want to keep buying transmissions i suggest you leave it alone.
Race Director
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From: WI
I've never read so many posts claiming shift kits shorten the trans life. A good shift kit shifts normally at part throttle and how ever hard and fast you want it to at WOT. This quickens your car for very little money. I did not find it difficult to install a shift kit my first time. 
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From: WI
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Corbin KY
When a car is Engineered they have to take into consideration different people with different taste will be driving the cars and they have to come to a common ground to please the masses.
As stated above, a crisp quick shift will actually make a trans live longer due to less slipping of clutches.
Last edited by SCCA VETTE; Nov 21, 2007 at 01:59 PM.
Race Director
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From: The Top of Utah
Originally Posted by Aardwolf
I've never read so many posts claiming shift kits shorten the trans life. A good shift kit shifts normally at part throttle and how ever hard and fast you want it to at WOT. This quickens your car for very little money. I did not find it difficult to install a shift kit my first time.
Smooth shifts are accomplished by slowly, gradually (relatively) slipping the clutches for a gentle engagement. Also to make the shifts less pronounced there is an phenomenon called "overlap". That is when the clutches of two different gears are partially engaged at one time. If the transmission is gently slllliding into one gear as it eeeeases out of the last, a smoother, gentler, shift is attained. Of course there is a price to be paid for all that luxurious comfort. Slipping and sliding clutches not only wear out faster, they generate transmission killing heat. It isn't necessary for a shift to be bone jarring to be more efficient. A quick, crisp, shift with the overlap eliminated, will go a long way toward extending transmission life. If you know what every little ball, spring, valve, and orifice, controls and how, you can accomplish this at home on your own and tailor each little change to suit your purposes. I don't. Therefore a well designed, thoughtfully installed, shift kit can improve performance and while you are not using that additional performance, increase transmission life.
Originally Posted by Toypar
I agree with the anti shift kit guys. Shift kits are more trouble than they are worth. The engineers at GM set the shift time and shift quality up the way they did for a reason and unless you want to keep buying transmissions i suggest you leave it alone.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2006
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From: Tyrone PA