whats the good & bad of useing a 700r4 in a 72swb?

[billsbowtie]

can anyone tell me the good or bad of useing a 84 camaro 700r4 in these old trucks. or is it better to stay with a 350 or 400. thanks bill

[2nd_wnd]

if it was up to me i'd run one in my daily driver.

I got my gmc and it had a 700r4 in it and dumb me gave it back to the guy and put my 350 in it instead. O/D would be nice for driving down the highway

[whatnow123]

The only thing bad is the year of the trans, I think up to 85 they had issues that were resolved in the later trans.

Check this link, lots of good stuff here.

http://www.geocities.com/crosley_az/700id.htm

[arkracing]

I put one in a '69 Step side behind a 305 and I think a 3.73 rear (originally a 6cly 4speed). You have to make sure that the TV Cable is set right, or you will burn the tranny up very quickly. www.bowtieoverdrives.com sells kits to hook up the TV cable to whatever carb you have, and they have the "lock-up" kit for the converter. If you don't have the converter lock up, then it will constantly slip like a stall speed when in overdrive - causing excessive heat and wear.

when they are set up right they are great on the highway. Not really great for towing in OD. Have a tall first gear to get you off the line.

I loved it - would do 80 and purr. It was pretty good on gas too, maybe about 15mpg or a bit higher. Not too bad for driving a brick wall.

[Rokcrln]

I had one custom built that is now in LowBuck with better clutch disks, re-worked oil psi system and a fully auto lock up in the end of third and all of fourth. I am running a 2300 stall, 3.41 R&P and a 92 vett LT1. I have towed my 16' car trailer with my wife's 63 SWB GMC in it with no problem. 75mph at 2100 rpm is great on the freeway and first gear is just plain fun!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[Gray Ghost]

The earlier 700's were not desirable tranny's....best to get one made after 1986 or better yet, a custom built unit. If built right [and I really stress this one] they can be great.

[greasy68]

I run a 700R4 and love it. But, Do your homework on the TV cable set up or you will have a paper weight. I speak from experience. I would suggest you get a good built unit and have someone set up the TV for you if you are not familiar. You will love the OD, 1st gear and drivability.

[72freak]

later ones are better.......but 700 is still a great choice!!!!

[LOW DOUGH]

I wish I had a 700

[72MARIO]

87 and older are great for scrap. get a 87-91 built well and you will be oky.

[1970 CST Short Wide]

How well do they hold up under lots of Torque and say 500 HP??

[DANTIP]

I had a 700R4 on the back of a ZZ3 Crate motor and it was a great combo. As I recall, I had to move the trans cross member back and have the drive shaft shortened (also replaced u-joints and carrier bearing at the same time as a precaution). I used the stock column shifter and didn't worry about my inability to manually shift into Low.

Good Luck!

[67ChevyRedneck]

I put one in my truck out of an 83 bird. It lasted 5K. I didn't have the cable set right. Bought a rebuilt one and installed a BO TV kit and lock up kit. I love it. With a 3.73 I turn about 2300 rpm at 75/80 mph. I did spend a good bit of money on the rebuild and the kits, but I've already put about 8K on the truck since last November. If you don't drive it a lot a 3.08 rear end with a Th350 or 400 would get you less, but similar fuel mileage to a 700R4/3.73.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

How well do they hold up under lots of Torque and say 500 HP??

Unless you have it specifically built for that kind of power, I'd give a stock 700R4 about a week of abuse before it blows

[djw32]

Bill,
Have you look into using your stock trans and a gear vendors unit? The gear vendors is $$$, but there is an advantage to splitting gears while towing.

[billsbowtie]

i am building my truck for playing only no work. and the reason i ask the ? is i have a 400 and 3 -350's and just bought a 305 & 700 r4 out of my sons 84 camaro last nite. i was wanting to go with the best out of them all. i think the 350 or 400 will work better for me & less mod's. thanks for all the help & info. this is a great board.

[corn]

Never had any luck with them or any metric to be honest. Ive had a few rebuilt without the best luck either. I think they would be ok if you spend the money to have them all beefed up but a stock rebuild wont take a lot. Im a 350-400 fan, both are good in my book...

[Rokcrln]

Originally Posted by 1970 CST Short Wide

How well do they hold up under lots of Torque and say 500 HP??

When built right they will do just fine. Mine had a two year warienty for 700hp out of a small block under ANY kind of use!

Kevin
LFD Inc.

[67_C-30]

Originally Posted by billsbowtie

i am building my truck for playing only no work. and the reason i ask the ? is i have a 400 and 3 -350's and just bought a 305 & 700 r4 out of my sons 84 camaro last nite. i was wanting to go with the best out of them all. i think the 350 or 400 will work better for me & less mod's. thanks for all the help & info. this is a great board.

If I were building it as toy, I'd definitely stay with a TH350. I have been trying to decide if I want to put on in my '69 C/10, but my truck runs 75 on the interstate at 2700 rpm, and I average around 16 mpg with a 350 with a Q-jet and 3.08's. I just haven't decided whether it's cost effecient for me to do it. I love the way the runs now, and I hate to screw with it. If did go with a 700, I'd have to change the rearend gears also because a 700 in front of 3.08's is a dog between 45-55 mph.

[cameeks]

Here is the solution for the TV cable. They also have one for the '82 - '86

TCI® TCI® Automotive
151 Industrial Dr. * Ashland, MS 38603
Phone: 1-888-776-9824 * Fax: (662) 224-8255
www.tciauto.com

Constant Pressure Valve Body™
Now Available For 1987-92 GM 700R4 Transmissions

Latest TCI® Constant Pressure Valve Body™ for GM 1987-92 700R4 eliminates low line
pressure condition and ensures perfect transmission operation
Guarantee proper performance with your 1987-92 GM 700R4 automatic transmission by
installing a new TCI® Constant Pressure Valve Body™. Many street performance enthusiasts
incorrectly install the critical TV cable that is used to set internal line pressure and part throttle
shifting by either leaving it disconnected or improperly adjusted. The result – less then optimum
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Until recently, the TV cable adjustment on GM 700R4 transmissions often required an
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Product: TCI® 1987-92 GM 700R4 Constant
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Features & Benefits:
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Body™ eliminates low line pressure due to
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• Still maintains part throttle shift points with
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• Compatible with stock and aftermarket
transmissions; installation instructions included