transmission question for a 454

[craazy22]

Ok chevy gurus, I was thinking about what transmission to run on a 454 with 500ish hp on it. I wanted to go 6 speed but I dont know if its a good idea. My truck originally had a 305/350 combo, but I think the th350 will be reving to high on the freeway. Its gonna be a once a month or weekend truck. I was thinking a 700r4 but have heard how weak they are and then how strong they can be. I really wanted a 6speed but im scared it my hurt the motor if I miss a gear or damaged something. What do y'all think? Thanks for the info and opinions.
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[INSIDIOUS '86]

Add an msd with the rev limiter and you will be fine. I've been in cars with tremecs transmissions they can't shift for **** past 5000rpm

Look into 200r4 from ck performance
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[craazy22]

Nice. I actually liked the 700r4 a bit better
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[bk2life]

Originally Posted by craazy22

Its gonna be a once a month or weekend truck.

there is your answer right there. why worry about 6 speed, 700, over-drive or any of that other poo...

get yer'self a built t350 or t400 and have some fun with her..

once a month or weekend truck, id build it with 13:1 or hihger race fuel only motor and have yoru self some fun.

500ish hp....blah, put good heads on it, get a stroker kit and be lookin at over 650hp all day long..

[andrewmp6]

A 700r4 built way up would handle it but i would go for a 4l80e.

[suxtobu65]

Give Jakes Performance a call. He's a few hrs north of you, but well worth the drive.
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[Firebirdjones]

Transmission is personal preference. Manuals setup properly are definately more fun for a weekend toy. Auto's have their place too. Lots of choices.

It appears you are leaning towards an overdrive of some sort. The 700's can be built to handle your mild big block. They'll take 500 hp easily. I built mine with good parts said to stand up behind 600 hp daily, but I've seen 700r4's handle 750 HP procharged LS engines as well, but you are going to spend some coin on it.
I actually prefer the 2004R's over the 700 if I had to choose between those 2 trannys, 200's have a better gear spread and they have more overdrive too. First gear in the 200 is better suited for performance and doesn't have the huge rpm drop on the 1-2 shift like the 700's do. The 200's can also be built stout, I've seen them wheels up in GN's running bottom 9's reliably. Used to live near Extreme Automatics, Lonnie built most of the 200's for the GN guys throughout the country and made them live.
My auto of choice is the 4L80E if you need an overdrive auto. Stout out of the box and will handle your mild big block in stock form. But it's also a pricey swap to consider, just the controller to run it will be $600 and higher over the cost of the trans and converter.

As far as manuals the T56 6 speed can be a notchy trans. Like Insidious mentioned they can be difficult to shift at high rpm. I run one behind a 7000 rpm LS engine. GM installed crappy paper lined blocker rings and other cheap plastic parts like fork pads etc...inside the trans. They really need to be rebuilt with better parts, a few tricks, a better clutch and adjustable hydraulic setup, and they can be made to shift rather nicely. With these upgrades and a few key parts they are built to handle 700ft lbs. and even more if desired. It just takes money I don't care to run these transmissions in stock form. Fine for a daily driver but suck for any spirited driving unless modified like mentioned above.

The TKO600's are another nice choice. They too are notchy transmissions in stock form but they are now made with modifications to make them shift smoothly to 7500 rpms, the upgrades are about $600. Great transmission, very stout. Retro swaps are made for just about any vehicle out there to make the install a breeze. Did one in a 61 vette last summer.

A manual setup will cost more money in the end, the transmissions are more expensive, a good clutch, linkage, shifter setup will cost some coin too. But setting an auto overdrive up properly to handle power, new converter etc...will also set you back $2000 easily or more.

[thesickc10]

For a weekend toy i would go manual.Theres nothing better than bangin gears down the road.Like insidious said put a rev limiter in if youre worried about missing shifts.Just my two cents