upgrade cost VS old overhaul

[bigmac73]

if i overhauled my TH 350 at home(with some help from a buddy) it will cost me a case of beer and around 600 for parts and fluid,

850 from a shop if i R/R myself

or how much to upgrade to a 700R4 ???

so i can get better miliage at highway speeds??

[geezer#99]

Of those options I'd do the 600 and a case or three of beer.
The 700R4 is no gaurentee of better mileage. Your motor combo won't be happy chuggin down the road in o/d.

[lowbucktruck]

I considered a tranny swap myself recently. Looked into a 700R4 swap or just a rebuild on my TH350. My 72 C20 is getting a new 350 sbc crate motor, so now was the time to think about an upgrade. The extra parts involved with the 700R4 swap and the driveline mod required (not to mention the additional stuff for the lockup torque converter) added up to more bucks. Keeping my TH350 tranny for now.

[ksshane]

I currently have 4spd and was looking at having a 700r4 installed.

Local shop quoted me 1600.00. That was for me to just drop the truck off and then pick it up when its done with them installing a new 700r4 trans that they supply and installing a B&M shifter.

[Bigdav160]

$600 is a lot of parts for a TH350

I can go down to my trans -parts place and buy everything for less than $100

[afcamaro]

Originally Posted by Bigdav160

$600 is a lot of parts for a TH350

I can go down to my trans -parts place and buy everything for less than $100

Thats what I was thinking but he might be adding in purchasing a nice convertor as well.

[Mr Chevorlet]

I had mine built at a local shop for 550.00 with a new torque converter. I took it out and reinstalled it though.

[bigmac73]

Originally Posted by afcamaro

Thats what I was thinking but he might be adding in purchasing a nice convertor as well.

TCI Auto 328800 - TCI Pro Super Transmission Overhaul Kits 238.97
B&M 20416 - B&M Holeshot Torque Converters 204.97
plus a case of fluid 50 to 60 bucks so 600 was for the high side of my estimate,
but for you guys that are doing it for 50 to 100 bucks in parts, does not sound to realisitic to me

[JointTech]

i paid $600 to have my th400 rebuilt. Didnt have to give him any beer or hang out with him.

[bigmac73]

Originally Posted by JointTech

i paid $600 to have my th400 rebuilt. Didnt have to give him any beer or hang out with him.

that sounds fair, but i want to learn how to do these things , i have never really jumped inside the internals of a tranny,
plus i work with the guy, he is pretty good, one of those 50% college engineer type and 50% hands on certified mechanic type, good guy to have in your corner.

[slow-1]

There are few things as rewarding as taking something apart, putting it back together, and it working like it should. Learning to fix things on your own is priceless.

However, if you drive your truck a lot, it won't take that long to make up the extra cost of an OD trans. My mileage went up from 11 mpg to 18 mpg with the addition of a 700r4.

What about getting a junk yard 700r4 and fix it with your buddy? Cheaper than a "ready to install" OD trans, and you still get the experience of learning.

[bigmac73]

Originally Posted by slow-1

There are few things as rewarding as taking something apart, putting it back together, and it working like it should. Learning to fix things on your own is priceless.

However, if you drive your truck a lot, it won't take that long to make up the extra cost of an OD trans. My mileage went up from 11 mpg to 18 mpg with the addition of a 700r4.

What about getting a junk yard 700r4 and fix it with your buddy? Cheaper than a "ready to install" OD trans, and you still get the experience of learning.

well do they have a electronic kickdown and extra stuff like that , what years are better than other ones, ect ect , lock up converter??? need more info if i am going to start digging though the junk yards

[Tinkermc]

Way to much money on a turbo 350. I went with 700R and I am a happy camper

[71swb4x4]

with your 3.73 gears I think a 700r4 would be a nice transmission for you.

[bigmac73]

Originally Posted by Tinkermc

Way to much money on a turbo 350. I went with 700R and I am a happy camper

can i use my same crossmember and flex plate???

[70CHEVYBB]

I just had my th350 done by a trans shop for 380.00 that's parts and labor.

[slow-1]

Originally Posted by bigmac73

well do they have a electronic kickdown and extra stuff like that , what years are better than other ones, ect ect , lock up converter??? need more info if i am going to start digging though the junk yards

On mine, the kickdown is a cable, the lock up converter is just 12v wired into one of 4 posts on the trans that automatically locks the coverter when it shifts to OD. I also have a dash mounted switch for locking the converter when not in OD if needed. There is also an added brake light switch to unlock the converter when you apply the brake.

I bought my trans through Bowtie Overdrives, I know their website has lots of technical info on it.

I know it sounds like a lot, but it is really straightforward when you study it a little.

Do a search on here too, lots of info can be found.

I switched from a 3 on the tree so I had to obtain an "auto" crossmember, which is what you have already, your driveshaft has to be shortened.

Ok...so it is a bit involved, but I would do it again anyday.
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[SwitchHappyAutoLLC]

I would agree that the extra gear might cost a few bucks more at this current point but think of the gas you'll save when getting 6-8 better mpg. The trans crossmember should be able to be used from trans to trans might have to unbolt and move not 100%. I know from experience a custom driveshaft is around $180 with new u-joints so that is extremly easy to deal with.