700r4 lockup converter HELP !

[faribran]

BEST METHOD TO LOCK UP THE TORQUE CONVERTER
Hey guys and gals..
i know there is lots of(HISTORY) info on this site about this subject.. but i would like to hear from YOU, live... maybe you have recently done this conversion...
We are in the "throws" of this now. and am finding several possible ways to make this work...
What have YOU found works ?..... i want to hear what others have experienced.... input please...
thank you

[67ChevyRedneck]

WWW.bowtieoverdrives.com

7,000 miles on my tranny is past 2 years. Works well.

[faribran]

did you use the "complete relay circuit" (listed for $95.00).
did you do it yourself?

[67ChevyRedneck]

I used their TV made EZ kit and their torque converter lock up kit. I insalled both myself. I also bought a pressure gauge to check that the trans was shifting at the right pressures. I'm sure a shop could do it for you for not "too much." You can't mess around with a 700R4. They'll burn up fairly quick if not set up right.

...ask me how I know...

Ok you don't have too. I bought a used 700R4 and used the factory cable to rig it to my carb. Lasted about 5K before I was flyin' down the highway and RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR. Took out 3rd and 4th in one shot. I never did shift right no matter how I tried to adjust it. I used a cheap lock up kit from some other company, but it didn't have the brake TC unlock feature the BTO kit has.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by faribran

did you use the "complete relay circuit" (listed for $95.00).
did you do it yourself?

Hmmmm, I think I bought the "complete brake kit" but I don't remember two choices????

To be honest, I'm not sure which to get!

You may want to call them. I had a couple questions during my install (my tranny didn't match their diagram exactly because GM had a buttload of different 700R4 set-ups and they helped me find the 4th gear lock up switch) and they were very freindly and helpful.

[Longhorn Man]

if you only want to do it once.... I agree, spend the money for the expensive kit.
I also would not recomend taking it to a shop. most shops out there have no clue how to test the line pressure, they just hook up the TV cable and do the old click and lock adjustment procedure.... but as soon as one thing is not stock between the carb, intake, and bracket for the TV cable, then you can not trust the click setting. And by not stock, I mean all used on the same vehicle with that style tranny. A stock 72 intake with a stock 75 quadrajet and a stock 87 700R4 is begging for trouble if not done right.

[K5KRAZIE]

I modified the valve body and used a brake, vaccume, and manual switch...works very very well.....

[drbyrdman]

i spent 1300 bucks on my tranny. build it right the first time and you will be fine. the lokar cable works great. and a transgo shift kit are good also.find someone that knows trannys and have it built right. i have no problems with mine at all. and i dont run the brake electrical switch.
PS it would of cost me twice what i payed if i did not know him.

[shortbed70]

I have a 91 700 in my 65 2wd and I am going to get a constant pressure valvebody from tci 249.99 and along with my sonnax 1-2 and tci 4th gear servo and 2500 stall and 500 boost valve it should do ok. Right now I have all but the VB installed,.500 valve and hardened pump rings and it runs good and its a huge difference from the 350 turbo that was in there I can now pass people on the highway with a 25.5 tall tire and 3.73 gears 80 and I'm still under 3200 r's. If I was to do it again I would buy one already done with a warranty like from monster transmissions or dreviltransmissions.com

[faribran]

thanks for the input guys.. keep it coming..

[powell72]

I also installed the Bowtie Overdrive's TV madeez and convertor lockup kit for my Jasper 700R4. I've got about 4 years and 35K on mine, still going strong.

[cameeks]

I'm supprised that nobody is talking about TCI's valve body for these. It is constant pressure so you dont have to worry about the trans pressure being to low. I have it in my truck and it works great. I got that, the bracket for the edlebrock carb and the lockup kit from Eatmyshift.com

[SanitysBane]

Just put in a manual toggle switch, cheap, easy and works like a charm. If you wanted you could even wire in a little light to tell you when the TQ was locked up.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by cameeks

I'm supprised that nobody is talking about TCI's valve body for these. It is constant pressure so you dont have to worry about the trans pressure being to low. I have it in my truck and it works great. I got that, the bracket for the edlebrock carb and the lockup kit from Eatmyshift.com

I read about the TCI set up in classic trucks (or it's twin) and it looked like a good set up/great idea to me, but it's fairly new and I already had my bto kit, otherwise, I probably would have bought it.

[nightmare]

when I converted my '84 camaro from computer controlled to non, this is the setup I ran on the 700R4

This uses stock GM parts, and only cost me $20.

[powell72]

I found these guys after I installed my BTO kit. I like the idea of the delayed lockup.
http://bowlertransmissions.com/itemdetails.aspx?iid=1

[shortbed70]

Hey cameeks look up at my other post... 249.99 tci constant pressure vb. Just giving you a hard time!

[cameeks]

Originally Posted by shortbed70

Hey cameeks look up at my other post... 249.99 tci constant pressure vb. Just giving you a hard time!

I guess I got used to repeating that every time there was a 700 question. I have been wanting it for almost a year now and finnaly got it. I got it for a little over $200 when I had monster add it to my transmission.

[67ChevyRedneck]

If you do a "do it yourself" fix make sure you add a brake switch.

The first lock up kit I had didn't have a brake switch (disengages the TC lock-up) and some dumb ass pulled out in front of me. I locked her down hard (going about 50mph with TC locked) and it killed the engine. Luckily, I had already slowed down enough, but I almost pooed my pants because after that it took the truck forever to stop (power brakes.)

[smoky02]

Hey guys, is a vacuum really necessary? I bought a kit with a pressure switch and I ran a brake switch, but that's all the kit had. I haven't installed the transmission yet, the plan is to do it on Monday.

[cameeks]

Originally Posted by smoky02

Hey guys, is a vacuum really necessary? I bought a kit with a pressure switch and I ran a brake switch, but that's all the kit had. I haven't installed the transmission yet, the plan is to do it on Monday.

No. If I were you I would by-pass it. I had one of those kits from TCI on my first transmission and never got it to work right. With different cams out there it is hard to set those up. I'm still debating on the brake switch. I have been driving it this long but still haven't had to slam on my brakes yet.

[smoky02]

Cool, so I should be ok then?

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by nightmare

when I converted my '84 camaro from computer controlled to non, this is the setup I ran on the 700R4

This uses stock GM parts, and only cost me $20.....

Here's is the url for the updated version of this install.

http://www.73-87.com/7387garage/drivetrain/lockup.htm