TH350,TH400 or 700R4

[bsstb]

I was wanting to get ya'lls opinion on what tranny to rebuild and put in, my 67. Let me give u a little background on it. It has a custom 383 stroker with custom ground Isky Cam (don't ask me demensions on it right now as i don't have the paperwork infront of me) the engine builder who built it says that it would work great with and automatic, and not a manuel. Due to the cam profile. So what do you think i should get 350, 400, or 700R4.

[dan42]

It depends on the HP -the 700R4might be more prone to problems with lots of HP, especially if you abuse it, but get better gas mileage.

[bsstb]

i don't have the dyno sheet in front of me but if i remember right its pushing 400hp / and around 420 tq at the crank

[ChevLoRay]

Why not a stout 400TH with a GearVendors overdrive unit attached? That way, you got strength and a long-legged feature. I know the 350 has a shorter first gear and offers a little more oomph on the git-go. But in speaking to a friend who has a transmission shop, the 700R4 can be built and be strong, too. I guess it's like "speed costs money....how fast do you want to go?" applies to transmissions.

[big_al_71]

I had a th350 built for my truck and I could not be happier...I had horrible experiences with 700r4 they are not good for serious power anything over 300hp I would stay away from again this is from my own personal experience..

[bsstb]

Big_al_71
How is fuel milage for your truck, i forgot to mention its pretty much my daily driver.

[big_al_71]

Originally Posted by bsstb

Big_al_71
How is fuel milage for your truck, i forgot to mention its pretty much my daily driver.

Gas mileage is HORRIBLE!!!!!!!

The gas gauge goes down as quickly as my speedometer goes up,,, my truck is a weekend toy not my primary transportation so gas mileage was not important to me when I built it.

[streetstar]

Th 350

[SactoJim]

How much $$$ you wanna spend, how much ya gonna drive it...and if you're gonna drive it on a regular basis, how much will that be freeway....you gonna tow with it....do you already have an auto transmission to rebuild or you going to buy one outright.......lots of questions that will help determine the best direction to go.

If you're like most of us, you probably wanna spend as little as possible and get the best bang for your buck and would like to drive the piss out of it! I'd go with an overdrive tranny (700r4 or a 200r4) simply because you get a lower first gear and the benefit of an overdrive. You're going to spend a little more for a properly built overdrive, but not a ton more, and there are plenty of builders out there that know what they are doing and provide quality products.

Just do a google search on 700R4's and see how much info comes up......doing your homework will make for a happier ending.

Personally I have a Purpose built 700R4 behind a 383 with a little weiand supercharger on it that makes an easy 500 hp and after 3000+ miles it's doing just fine.

You could also go with a 4l80E (kinda like an electronically controlled TH400 with overdrive), but you will need a controller for it which would make the conversion considerably more expensive + whatever a trans will cost.

If you have even deeper pockets you can go the TH400 / Gearvenders route and have something that will take just about anything you throw at it.

[kcjones]

I agree with Sacto Jim. If you yank a junkyard TH350, 400, 200R4, or 700R4, change the fluid and filter, get a drive shaft and bolt it up, you'll rip ip apart in no time with 400+ HP and hard driving. So, to have a quality tranny that will put power to the pavement and stand up for thousands of miles, you're going to want to have a tranny built or rebuilt for you by a good shop (or yourself if you're experienced, brave, or stupid!).

If you're gonna start from scratch, meaning you're going to find one, have it rebuilt or buy a "new" tranny from people who build them, get the OD. You simply choose the tranny that's best suited for your power needs, and they'll sell you the right package. 200 and 700's can be as strong or stronger than 400's if built properly, and for not much more $$ than a TH350 or TH400.

I agree Th400 and Gearvendors is best but priciest.

700R4 and 4.11's out back is perfect for a 400HP small block - you can tow, haul, and race that 5.0 mustang down the street.

700R4 does require the extra effort of TV cable install and lock up setup if you wish, but OD is awesome with decent gears.

TH400 is NOT bulletproof stock. Ask me how I know.

Better yet, run a T56 and with 4.11/4.56 and be REALLY happy.

[STOCKISH]

I'd go with the 700r4 or 4l80e. I had a 700r4 built and put it behind a nicely built small block and had ZERO problems. However, a stock one will not be happy past 300hp. The nice thing about the 4l80e is you can adjust the way it shifts electronically,(shift firmer or softer).

[WIDESIDE72]

I have run 700r4 and 2004r in 72 trucks. I would say go with a 2004r. The 1st gear is not as deep as a 700r4, and the 2004r can actually be built to handle more power than the 700r4. It is dimensionally the same as a TH350. the 2004r will hold overdrive at W.O.T., which the 700r4 will not. Pick up the latest issue of Car Craft. There is an article on the 2004r by Art Carr. The 200r4 can be built to take 1000 hp!

[GBC10]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

I have run 700r4 and 2004r in 72 trucks. I would say go with a 2004r. The 1st gear is not as deep as a 700r4, and the 2004r can actually be built to handle more power than the 700r4. It is dimensionally the same as a TH350. the 2004r will hold overdrive at W.O.T., which the 700r4 will not. Pick up the latest issue of Car Craft. There is an article on the 2004r by Art Carr. The 200r4 can be built to take 1000 hp!

X2 the 2004R

[cparman]

I love driving my truck and Blazer. My last car was a 500 hp Big Block with a 700r4 behind it. As I get older ( 53 ) I find that I enjoy my old trucks, but want late model driveability. When I do the next big project after my Blazer, it WILL have an OD trans. Spend the money, and do it right. You will drive your truck twice as much if you do. I looked at a post from CA. Guy has a complete setup for a SWB to convert to a 700r4. $900.00. that is a steal! Can you imagine being able to listen to your favorite music, tell you best girl what she wants to hear, and do all of that at 65 mph turning 1800 RPM. an old fat redneck ( me ) could even get lucky

[cparman]

my last car

[Gray Ghost]

Originally Posted by WIDESIDE72

I have run 700r4 and 2004r in 72 trucks. I would say go with a 2004r. The 1st gear is not as deep as a 700r4, and the 2004r can actually be built to handle more power than the 700r4. It is dimensionally the same as a TH350. the 2004r will hold overdrive at W.O.T., which the 700r4 will not. Pick up the latest issue of Car Craft. There is an article on the 2004r by Art Carr. The 200r4 can be built to take 1000 hp!

Be careful when you consider a 2004r. Only CERTAIN 2004r's can be built to withstand 400+hp. You can't just yank one out of an 80's G-body and run. Only the Buick GN type 2004r can be built this way and you better be damn careful who does the work. Any other version is built on a platform that was not rated for more than 180hp at the flywheel. I've had two of them and I'll never have another one of any kind. Two rebuilds cost over $2500 total and the third incarnation waasn't good enough for the 350 hp I had in my MCSS.

The 700R4 on the other hand is much stronger out of the box. It is based on the TH-350 versus the metric 200 [which is a total POS]. The 4L60 is built on that same platform and is even better than a 700.

If you are pushing 400hp, you are going to want either a very well built 700, 4L80E or a TH-400 behind it for strength. That said you could get away with a properly built TH-350, but again, better know that shop is a good one before you plunk down cash for the rebuild.

Had a buddy once who bought a 700 and had it rebuilt. Unfortunately for him the builder must not have heard him when he said he had 550hp at the rear wheels. The rebuild and shift kit cost him over $1100...tanked on the first run down the street much like my 'professionally built' 2004r.

You can use any tranny you like if the right person builds it. Whatever you choose....good luck and keep us poted on the results!

[shaved67]

I have a 87 camaro with around 320 to the wheels i have learned about the 700r4 or 4l60 the hard way. If you are going to have one built get one from a junk yard out of any 90-92 vehicle have whoever builds it for you put kolene steels and raybestos clutches in it and make sure that the governor is matched up to your desired shift points and vehicle weight.
the biggest problem with this trans is quick high revving engines.
this starves the clutches and steels for fluid and burns them up.
t.v. cable adjustment is vital and supposedly tci's new constant pressure valve body helps maintain fluid pressure.
I had mine built by a local one man show who builds pro-mod trannys and he guaranteed it to 600 fly wheel hp. I tried ati's 700r4 it lasted less than a week and never shifted properly tci's are hit and miss.go with art carr,raptor or someone like that it should cost you around 2000 for the build and anywhere from 300-600 for the used trans. all you have to do for it to hold wot in fourth is to have the tv valve replaced and it will hold 4th to about 75% throttle which is pretty fast. I have 9000 MI on this tranny w/o any issues and I don't baby it too much. An aux cooler is a must. and if you run a lock up converter it has to be locked up in o.d. or it will blow up I know


hope this helps

[bsstb]

I think you guys are helping make up my mind with a 700 or 200R4.
but can those 2 hold up to some minor towing if need be?

Thanks for all the info, keep it all coming

[Indyuke]

Yes they can... though the general opnion is to keep it out of overdrive and run a good transmission cooler when you do tow. I have a 700r4 with only about $500 of clutch work behind a 340hp 350 and it does fine. But I try to drive smart and don't often push it hard.

[WIDESIDE72]

Either will live with a little towing. Run a good auxillary cooler. I tow in O.D., just be sure it is not hunting between O.D. and third. That is what burns one up. IMO, if you have enough torque and the load is not too heavy, you will be O.K. towing in O.D.

[WIDESIDE72]

I currently have a 2004r behind a 450 hp 383 in a 79 Malibu with 3.73 gears and 28" tall tires, and I am building a 72 swb step with 355, 700r4, 3.73 gears and 30" tall tires. I built the Malibu first. The only reason I am going with the 700r4 is I pulled it out of my old Suburban and it only has 20k miles on the rebuild. I had a 72 swb in high school in the late 80's that was originally a 250 6, 3 on the tree and 3.73 posi. I swapped the engine and trans for a mild 355 (approximately325-350 horse) and 2004r, and a 1/4 steel plate for a bed floor. I used to walk off an leave 5.0 Mustangs like they were in park, all because of the great 1st gear in the 2004r, and the traction enhancement from the 1/4" plate (dad was a welder). I had guys swear I was running Nitrous, all because that tuck hooked up so well! I sold it to have $$$ go to school. Nostalgia has me building another one like it.

[texanidiot25]

I know a stock 700R4 can handle about 400 hp before it starts to die off. My dad was going to run one with a shift kit and vette servo behind a built 400 hp TPI 350 before the El Camino it was going into got totalled. Awesomely short 1st gear for hard launches, and good gear spacing in 2nd and 3rd to stretch your legs. The 4L60E and 4L80E are geared the same as the 700R4, and build upon it's strengths and fuel economy. On both my '90 Firebird (700R4) and our 98 GMC jimmy (4L60E) the gears are spaced at:
1st: 40 mph
2nd: 70-75
3rd: 100-110
4th: 110+ at about 3-4K RPM on the Firebird.

Both have lower 3.2x gears I believe.

Also an efficient transmission, if I recall right the 700R4 only robbed 14% or so HP, less than some earlier trans.