350 Ramjet w/ 700R4?

[Apache'71]

I've been researching a crate motor to purchase to install in my '71 LB 4x4. I am thinking the 350 Ramjet would be nice but really want to upgrade my TH350 to an overdrive unit. My truck currently has the mounts for a SB, TH350 and NP205 TC.

Any advice on the best(not crazy expensive) fuel injected, crate engine and overdrive tranny combo that would mate up to my NP205 with out too much hassle. I realize I'll have to rework the tranny/TC crossmember and shorten/lengthen the drive lines, huh? Anyone know what adapters, etc. I might need to make this work...i.e. advanced adapters...

Another thing, I want to go kinda different with this and was thinking how I could eliminate the stock column mounted auto trans shifter in favor of a console shifter preferebly out of a late model GM that would integrate into a custom center console. I am not aware of any late model trucks, burbs, tahoes, etc. that have anything other than column shifters. Is there any cars that would have had a console shifter that would work with a 700R4, or am I dreaming? I really don't want an aftermarket style shifter such as a B&M. How about the TC, would it be a sin to swap out the NP205 for a late model TC that has an electric dash style switch? I really want the interior to feel like a modern truck but obviously don't want to sacrifice usability since the truck will be a 3/4 ton weekend driver and will see moderate towing and hauling.

Any ideas? Thanks.

[mrein3]

Advanced adapters makes an output shaft for a 700r4 transmission that will work with the th350 adapter you already have. I personally haven't done the swap yet but the tranny core is laying on the floor of my shop right now.

You take a core 700r4 and the output shaft to a good rebuilder and tell him what you want.

Back on the truck you need to consider two options. The 700r4 is just shy of two inches longer than your th350. You can either leave the engine where it is and move the trans/adapter/t-case back or leave the trans/adapter/t-case where it is and move the engine forward.

Moving the trans back forces you to have your drive shafts shortened in the back and lengthened in the front. Moving the engine keeps all your drive line stock but forces you to deal with the fan sticking too far into the fan shroud. There is enough room to go forward. An electric fan set-up would over come any cooling problems.

[Apache'71]

Moving the engine forward is good advice and sounds like a better option since both my drivelines were installed new 10 years ago. I do know that the slip connections have some play in them...perhaps enough to work without moving the engine or lengthening/shortening the drivelines. I'll have to investigate.

Any comments out there on the column vs. console shifter?

Thanks.

[N2TRUX]

I did quit a bit of research on motors and induction systems before I bought the Ramjet 350. The one thing that sold me on this package was it was a complete system.

You can buy a 350 crate motor and add many differnt styles of EFI to it. Then you will spend time (and money) getting the systems in sync. By purchasing a system that has been dyno tuned to work together you have saved a lot of time (and money).

I searched for deals everywhere on crate motors. In the end I took my best price and called Summit Racing. They matched the best price I had, and shipped it for free. They had the motor in stock so it shipped out the week I ordered it.

The 700r4 is a perfect mate to this motor. It has lots of low end torque and the 700 has a low first gear. These combined make the motor feel strong off the line. Once you hit highway speeds and overdrive kicks in the motor purrs along.

I happen to have 3.08 gears and thought they might be too high for this combo. It turns out to be an excellent combination for a 2wd truck. Yours will be a different story.

[Apache'71]

I checked out your thread...wow, looks real nice. I think I will definitely be going with the ramjet / 7004R combo. Thanks.

[N2TRUX]

Thanks, and good luck with it...

[49studebaker]

Summit Racing/Ramjet is a good deal. The price was the same about everywhere I looked, but for every $500 spent at Summit, you get $20 in Summit Bucks. That's about $200 bucks I have to buy my additional parts with. The Ramjet is now in my shop and the Hughes 700r4 just showed up at Summit.

[Gary]

I believe I've just about made up my mind to go with a Ramjet 350/700r4 upgrade for my 85, just as soon as I sell the Ford, I'm putting in the order, one Ramjet 350 from probably Summit and a 700r4 from bowtie overdrives, unless anyone can recommend better/cheaper?

[N2TRUX]

I am fortunate enough to have a bro-in-law that builds tranmissions for a living. I didn't have to search for that. It appears that Bowtie Overdrives is about the best overall deal.

[Gary]

My cousin married a fella whose parents own one of the better tranny shops around, but me and her daddy ain't on the best of terms lately so I dunno if it's gonna do me much good (deal wise) to go there :/ Might be cheaper just ordering from bowtieoverdrives Family, you can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, you can't pick your relatives.