Transmission help 350 vs. 700 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

dromano · 12-09-2013, 11:58 AM

I have a 72 GMC SWB with a 350 motor. Motor is a pretty stock 350 that I may add some headers and cam shaft too but do not plan on swapping and or hot rodding it any time soon.

My turbo 350 trans is going out and I am stuck on what replace it with.

This truck is weekend driver not intended to race.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

67 chevelle · 12-09-2013, 02:21 PM

2004r fits in same spot , lower 1st gear and overdrive , love um

GASoline71 · 12-09-2013, 02:26 PM

I personally like the 200-4R's as well, and would take one over a 700R4 any day. Like 67 chevelle said, they are basically a direct bolt in, since they share the same case as a TH350.

Gary

killerpanel · 12-09-2013, 02:43 PM

I have never used the 200's, but have heard they are the better choice. more of a direct fit. I put a 700 in my 73 firebird, had to have a drive shaft made, custom crossmember, floor clearance issues. I loved it once I got it in, but would have done the 200 if I didn't already have the tranny core.

MARKDTN · 12-09-2013, 05:05 PM

If you are going to build the 200R4 first then fine, just don't yank a used one out and expect it to last in a truck. You have to ask yourself why GM never used a 200R4 behind anything bigger than a 307 Olds. No Corvettes, no big blocks, not even a 305 IROC. 200R4 was used in the Turbo Regals and GNs, but they don't last long there after engine mods.

I would do a 700R4. They got a bad reputation from early on, but if you get an '88 up core with the improved guts they last a long time. They also get a bad rap for swaps for people that didn't adjust the TV cable and burn them up fast. You should not start the engine until the TV cable is properly adjusted!! It is that important. The 4L60E that is still used today is a derivative of the 700R4 and they last a long time. I have one in my '01 Tahoe with 264K miles that has never been out.

Tinkermc · 12-09-2013, 05:20 PM

I have a 72 GMC 350 with the 700r4 and I am very happy with the set up, makes very good mileage and great cruising.

cdowns · 12-09-2013, 06:52 PM

they all say great things about trannys but none ask what gear ratio you have for a rear gear so think about that first maybe

Daddy Bartholomew · 12-09-2013, 07:14 PM

I put a 700R4 into my 71, and was forced to go from 2.73 to 3.73 rear end.

That put the cruising rpm right where I wanted it, 1800-2000. With the highway gears, I basically couldn't run the overdrive.

12-09-2013, 11:58 AM	#1
dromano Registered User Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 34	Transmission help 350 vs. 700 I have a 72 GMC SWB with a 350 motor. Motor is a pretty stock 350 that I may add some headers and cam shaft too but do not plan on swapping and or hot rodding it any time soon. My turbo 350 trans is going out and I am stuck on what replace it with. This truck is weekend driver not intended to race. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

12-09-2013, 02:21 PM	#2
67 chevelle Registered User Join Date: May 2013 Location: WEST PALM FLORIDA Posts: 1,174	Re: Transmission help 350 vs. 700 2004r fits in same spot , lower 1st gear and overdrive , love um

12-09-2013, 02:43 PM	#4
killerpanel Registered User Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Schenectady NY Posts: 79	Re: Transmission help 350 vs. 700 I have never used the 200's, but have heard they are the better choice. more of a direct fit. I put a 700 in my 73 firebird, had to have a drive shaft made, custom crossmember, floor clearance issues. I loved it once I got it in, but would have done the 200 if I didn't already have the tranny core.

12-09-2013, 05:05 PM	#5
MARKDTN Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chattanooga, TN Posts: 2,159	Re: Transmission help 350 vs. 700 If you are going to build the 200R4 first then fine, just don't yank a used one out and expect it to last in a truck. You have to ask yourself why GM never used a 200R4 behind anything bigger than a 307 Olds. No Corvettes, no big blocks, not even a 305 IROC. 200R4 was used in the Turbo Regals and GNs, but they don't last long there after engine mods. I would do a 700R4. They got a bad reputation from early on, but if you get an '88 up core with the improved guts they last a long time. They also get a bad rap for swaps for people that didn't adjust the TV cable and burn them up fast. You should not start the engine until the TV cable is properly adjusted!! It is that important. The 4L60E that is still used today is a derivative of the 700R4 and they last a long time. I have one in my '01 Tahoe with 264K miles that has never been out. __________________ '83 K20-TPI '73 C10 '79 C10-ex-diesel(SOLD) '07 Tahoe(Son driving) '14 Suburban-DD '71 C10-current project

12-09-2013, 05:20 PM	#6
Tinkermc Registered User Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Farmville, Va Posts: 3,026	Re: Transmission help 350 vs. 700 I have a 72 GMC 350 with the 700r4 and I am very happy with the set up, makes very good mileage and great cruising.

12-09-2013, 06:52 PM	#7
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	Re: Transmission help 350 vs. 700 they all say great things about trannys but none ask what gear ratio you have for a rear gear so think about that first maybe __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

12-09-2013, 07:14 PM	#8
Daddy Bartholomew Registered User Join Date: May 2011 Location: Colstrip, MT Posts: 39	Re: Transmission help 350 vs. 700 I put a 700R4 into my 71, and was forced to go from 2.73 to 3.73 rear end. That put the cruising rpm right where I wanted it, 1800-2000. With the highway gears, I basically couldn't run the overdrive.

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