700R4...put my mind at ease!

[SactoJim]

So I'm running a 700 behind my mini blown small block 383 that will make at least 500hp. I almost went with BTO when a friend recommended a tranny guy locally that knew 700's pretty well and if anything went wrong, he would take care of it without me pulling the tranny and shipping it somewhere.

He started with a later 700 and upgraded the pump, put a heavy duty sun gear, better clutch bands....etc.....

I bought the BTO TV cable assembly and am aware of how important the fluid pressure is to give these trannys' a longer life.

My question is how many guys have had success with this tranny behind something healthy and what they attribute that to?

I'm a little paranoid that this tranny won't live too long!!

[qksilver]

A trans cooler, synthetic trans fluid and having it built right.
Plus with most trucks you won't be able to hook it up completely without tire spin so that will help keep it alive.

[SactoJim]

Trans cooler - yes
Synthetic oil - good idea
Built right - I hope so!
and your right about the lack of weight in the rear and how the lack of traction will make life a little easier on the tranny, but I would sure like to think that if I wanted it to hook, I wouldn't be gritting my teeth waiting for the tranny to give up!

The only way I'm gonna find out is to put some miles on it.

I was just curious of others experiences.

[supermuble]

I am going to be using my 700R4 (rebuilt myself) behind a twin turbocharged 350. I should have about 450hp with 6 PSI of boost. I purchased two 700R4's in case I ruin the first one while rebuilding it. I am going to rebuild both. I only paid $35 for one and $75 for the other. I found rebuild kits that actually rate the transmission for 550hp to 650hp. The kits contain a new input drum that is hardened as the original can shear off. I don't know if I can rebuild a 700R4 myself, but it looks like they are here to stay as the new performance transmission. Being able to rebuild these in our own workshop would be a huge advantage. Plus with the money you save on labor, you could buy a new transmission and rebuild kit and have a 2nd transmission waiting and ready!

Anyway to put your mind at ease, there is a guy running a V8 with (8) turbochargers and 730hp. He said his vehicle hooks up without any tire spin under full boost and is using an electronic shift 700R4 (4L60E). In 1992 the 700R4 was updated to a full electronic shift, but it is the same transmission and they called it a 4L60E. The non electronic shift transmission is called the (4L60).

From Wikipedia:

The 700 was renamed the 4L60, when the electronic version, 4L60-E, was phased in (1993 for GM trucks, vans, and SUVs, and 1994 for RWD passenger cars).

Around 1984, 700R4s designed for use behind Chevrolet small block V8s received a 30 spline input shaft which used a different torque converter than its 2.8 V6 and 2.2 L4 powerplants. Between 1984 - 1987, internal components, from the ring gear to the oil pump housing, were updated, ending with the auxiliary valve body (for 700s manufactured after October 1986).


See links.

1957 with 8 Turbo's (700HP) and a 700R4
http://www.superchevy.com/features/0...y_convertible/

700R4/4l60/4l60E rebuild kits
http://www.700r4l60e.com

[chevykevy]

I am planning on using a 700 in my 68. I've been looking at the options for the lockup wiring. Was concidering the Painless wiring unit. Anyone have experience with the Painless unit or any other?

[SactoJim]

The guy that built mine set it up for the lockup to be controlled by hydraulic pressure. I don't know all the details and pro's or con's but it seems I read another members post that said his was controlled that way as well and it worked great.

Anyone else heard of this?

[kyle4381]

I am running the same combo in my 62. I have a 383 with the 177 Weiand blower. I am running 9 pounds of boost and over 500 hp. I had a 400 tranny but the freeway cruising was not fun. I had a 700r4 built.. I have not installed it yet, but I have no worries. I am running a 9" rear end with 3.55 gears and 275 tires. The 700r4 has a lower 1st gear so it will probably just do some sweet burnouts and not be hard on the tranny. Good Luck

[supermuble]

Here is good info about lockup wiring. You can do it yourself and there are a number of different ways, all which are fairly easy. You can't ruin your tranny by forgetting to lock the converter, so it is really not a large problem.

My suggestion, don't spend more than $100 on a kit.

http://www.purplesagetradingpost.com...o/700R4p1.html

[67ChevyRedneck]

I've put about 300 miles on mine since the rebuild... so far so good

One of the most important factors in keeping a 700R4 alive is how you drive it. The OD is the weakest point in the tranny, I'd highly recommend that any driving below 45-50 mph just leave the truck in 3rd. No matter how you set it up it will most likely shift into OD at 40-45 mph under "normal" acceleration. Even my 2000 Z71 with the 4L60E (essentially same tranny but better internals) will shift into OD at 40mph so I leave that truck in 3rd as well for "city" driving and it has 95K on it.

My 2 cents.