overdrive trans

[1955 mancave]

so in my 1ton with a 454 i want overdrive so 700 R4 , gearvendor, modified Volvo OD unit or ?? please help

thanks as always
Henry.

[NCD1966]

I wouldnt use a 700R4 I have broken a few of those.. i say the best setup up for a big block is a th400 with a gear vendor unit

[summerj]

I don't know much about non GM transmission but I do know about the 700. The 700 R4 can be built solid to handle that 454. 1rst gear in a 700 is lower than both the 350 and 400. Make sure that you find a 30 spline not the 28 spline 700 used in most 6 cyl. models. Look for a late 80's early 90's. If you have a Dayco transmission parts shop near buy get the ceramic disk upgrade with master overhaul kit and have a recommended bench tech install it. You will also need to buy the 4th gear electric lock up conversion getI think summit has it? The stock disk packs in the 700 and a lot of other stock transmissions use a minimal amount of disks for each gear+ the stock disks are coated with a paper/cork material- This is what fails in these transmissions and this is why the 700 gets a bad wrap. When you upgrade to the ceramic disks you get a better grip - and more disks working together for each gear.. You can build a stock 700R4 to handle 1000+ HP.
That's a monster truck what will you be towing?

[vin63]

Originally Posted by 1955 mancave

so in my 1ton with a 454 i want overdrive so 700 R4 , gearvendor, modified Volvo OD unit or ?? please help

thanks as always
Henry.

It will probably be more economical to find a 4L80E. This is the route I generally go. Remember, before the Allison 1000, the big block trucks came with the 4L80Es.

['63GENIII]

I think by the time that you spend the money to get a 700 to survive behind a big block in a 1 ton, you could have easily had a used (or possibly rebuilt) 4l80e with the stand alone controller. Now if you're using the truck like a 1/2 ton, that may be a diffferent story. I use my 1/2 ton like a 1 ton and I'm looking 4l80 or nv4500 (manual).

[1955 mancave]

Originally Posted by vin63

It will probably be more economical to find a 4L80E. This is the route I generally go. Remember, before the Allison 1000, the big block trucks came with the 4L80Es.

what $$ would it take (est.) to use a 4L80E in PHX i can get a tow rated 700 for about $700.00

[vin63]

I can usually find used 4L80Es for around $500-$800. I use the Baumann Optishift TCU for around $500. I've never been able to make a 700R4 live behind my Pontiacs, and my racing transmission builder, Mike Stewart of Mike's Transmission - http://mikestransmission.com/, will not build one for my hot rods because they will not last with the torque I make...but, he has built me TH400s that handle my 1500+ ft-lb blown Pontiacs. The 4L80E is basically a TH400 with OD...keep in mind, it's not the horsepower that kills the trans, it'll be the torque.