700R4 Costs?

[Slonaker]

A friend has offered me a 700R4 out of an '89 Suburban that he bought for parts. He says it drives around the yard, but he doesn't know anything about it beyond that.

He offered it to me for $250. Is that a decent price for one in unknown condition?

What should I expect to spend for a bench rebuild, including a converter?

I have always heard that there are older weaker ones and newer stronger ones. Which is the '89 700R4?

Would it be set up for a speedo cable like my '86, or is it electronic?

Thanks,

Slonaker

[Clyde65]

This is just for information, it is too far away from you but if you ever come to Ft Worth.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/dal/pts/1602131732.html

[68Timber]

The first upgrade to the TH700R4 was 85, they were upgraded again in '87. The years rolled on and that tranny eventually became the 4L60 and later the 4L60E but I don't know the years of those "upgrades". They all require a rebuild with aftermarket performance parts to hold up to abuse and or being able to live behind a high performance engine.

That's not to be construed like I'd steer you away from them. It's a great transmission but it does need all the common performance upgrades available to deliver reliability and performance.

[Slonaker]

Right. I'm just wondering what it would cost to upgrade it to a reasonable level for my needs, and if a '89 model is capable of doing what I need. I have a stock engine in a lowered truck, so I don't tow anything heavier than a 17' bay boat. I don't expect to ever ad more performance beyond an Edelbrock Performer type of cam and intake (one day...). No racing or anything.

Slonaker

[old Rusty C10]

at the bare minimum you need a shift kit on those.. im told they run about $1200 completely rebuilt with torqu cnverter.. thats with the shop doing the swing so prolly $1000 on the bench

[68Timber]

Originally Posted by Slonaker

Right. I'm just wondering what it would cost to upgrade it to a reasonable level for my needs, and if a '89 model is capable of doing what I need. I have a stock engine in a lowered truck, so I don't tow anything heavier than a 17' bay boat. I don't expect to ever ad more performance beyond an Edelbrock Performer type of cam and intake (one day...). No racing or anything.

Slonaker

No racing or anything? You give it up?

Seriously, I should have said these tranny's need those upgrade to last period. When they were first introduced they were installed in S10 Jimmys/trucks and such behind the beast of the infamous 2.8 V6 and they failed behind them just as often as they did behind the 305 and 350's they were combo'd with in fullsize models.

I don't hate them, I want one for my truck. But they really do require all those upgrades to be a reliable transmission and I wouldn't run one any other way - I had one new off the lot in an '83 K5 and it couldn't hold up to the (LG4?) 165 horse 305. It died on me a few times before it was traded off.

[USSkoval]

I think that's a little too much, but it is one of the best years that is still cable drive speedo. Have a trustworthy shop rebuild it and use every HD/performance type upgrade part you can get for it. Spend the money on it up front and you will be happy with it for years to come.

[Slonaker]

Thanks for info, guys. Anyone in Texas got any input regarding cost for upgrades/rebuild?

Slonaker

[smashingchuck]

I would say $250 is a little high, and the 700r in my sub was completely rebuilt for $1200 including the converter and labor.