Bowtie Overdrives - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

slogo · 08-24-2004, 09:18 PM

Looking to buy a 700R4 anyone know anything about Bowtie Overdives
neep some help or advice on the best place to buy one.

CaperCat · 08-24-2004, 10:34 PM

Hey Slogo,

I have a line on one from a board member. No warranty on the transmission like you would ge from Bowtie Overdrives. I'm almost ready to buy but not right this month. PM him or email to contact him. Here is the link:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=115371

Steve

JackP · 08-24-2004, 11:23 PM

I bought parts for my 700r from him. He is a real good guy but he's usually very busy. If I had to do it all over again I would buy a trans from him and have him install it.

*72longbed* · 08-24-2004, 11:38 PM

slogo,

I bought a Level II 700 R4 from them a little over a year ago. Those guys know their Trannies!! Very helpful with all the installation paperwork and questions and setup. The Level II is a great little trans with alot of upgrades making a strong tow box or Street/Strip and very daily driveable. Definitely get the TV cable setup from them too. Always great service and friendly.

72longbed

billogna · 08-24-2004, 11:46 PM

I bought my level II from BTO about 2 yrs ago. I tow once in a while and no problems so far. Great company imo.

chevyhouse · 08-25-2004, 01:45 AM

I've had my level II for 10 months now, ditto all the good things those guys said....

72k5 · 08-25-2004, 12:26 PM

I also have one, Level 3 I think. Overall, I'd say they are good. My first tranny from them had some sort of serious problem, like an internal leak or something. During the period that we were trying to get it to work properly, I began to get a bit annoyed at them. There were repeated rounds of questions that seemed to be designed to elicit an answer of how I screwed it up. I spent hours and hours checking and rechecking the same things, with one person after another, and it never really was correct. It was always clear that if I refused to waste my time redoing exactly what they wanted, they would be more than happy to wash their hands of this thing. And, as I have a ASE Master certificate somewhere, and have built trannies myself, I know how to answer their questions and explain what is going on. God help a newbie in that situation. It finally came down to the point where I could remove it, send it back at my expense, and if they decided there was a problem, they would reimburse the freight. Or, I could drive the vehicle to them for inspection. I opted to do neither since it worked - sort of. That would be the main advantage to doing business with someone close to home.

EDIT- Absolutely get the TV setup from whoever you get the tranny from if you can. Most problems with these trannies are caused by the TV setup, and if you have a problem, and it's not their TV setup, guess where the finger is going to be pointed.

Anyway, the original tranny blew up, due to no fault of BTO, but due to a problem with a part they used in the tranny. After some discussion, they agreed to warranty it. They solved the original problems as well, and the new tranny is great. If I had known how well it was supposed to work, I would have sent it back in the beginning.

Bottom line, it's mail order. If you have a problem, you will have more of a problem than if you are dealing with a reputable builder who you can take the vehicle to. But since this is their specialty, and they build so many, you can expect them to get most of them right.

Good luck with whatever you choose.

vtblazer · 08-25-2004, 12:35 PM

Anybody have the link to BTO?

chevyhouse · 08-25-2004, 01:17 PM

www.700r4.com

**Smitty** · 08-25-2004, 01:22 PM

I've been running their tranny for 4-5 years now and haven't had any problems with it. But by all means get their tv made easy kit!

slogo · 08-25-2004, 10:53 PM

Thanks all, gonna give them a call tomorrow and talk to them about the level II and tv kit.

08-24-2004, 09:18 PM	#1
slogo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Morristown,TN Posts: 482	Bowtie Overdrives Looking to buy a 700R4 anyone know anything about Bowtie Overdives neep some help or advice on the best place to buy one.

08-24-2004, 11:23 PM	#3
JackP Doing it right. Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 140	I bought parts for my 700r from him. He is a real good guy but he's usually very busy. If I had to do it all over again I would buy a trans from him and have him install it. __________________ 71 C-10 shortbed with a 68 frontend. Dechromed and painted Ferrari red. PW, PDL, PDB and factory air. 350 -10:1 pistons, ceramic hooker headers, edelbrock carb, 70r4 with a 1 pc. driveshaft. Daily driver.

08-24-2004, 11:38 PM	#4
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Overdrive slogo, I bought a Level II 700 R4 from them a little over a year ago. Those guys know their Trannies!! Very helpful with all the installation paperwork and questions and setup. The Level II is a great little trans with alot of upgrades making a strong tow box or Street/Strip and very daily driveable. Definitely get the TV cable setup from them too. Always great service and friendly. 72longbed

08-24-2004, 11:46 PM	#5
billogna Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Choctaw, OK Posts: 235	I bought my level II from BTO about 2 yrs ago. I tow once in a while and no problems so far. Great company imo. __________________ '69 Chev Cust/10 swb, 350/700R4, 5"/6" '70 Chev C10 swb, 67 front, 454/700r4, 4"/5" '73 Chev stepper, 350/3 spd '84 Chev K20 350/4 spd '91 GMC 1500 Suburban 4x4, 350/700R4

08-25-2004, 01:45 AM	#6
chevyhouse BEER-Vacation in a can... Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: wichita, ks Posts: 444	I've had my level II for 10 months now, ditto all the good things those guys said.... __________________ Kurt 03' Trailblazer 69' C10 "SPSHL-K", 388 stroker/BTO 700R4, 2400 stall, 3.73 posi, lwb, fleetside long box, 3.5"/5" drop, 18" Budnik 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom For Sale-87' V10-4x4, 408/700r4, 4.10's PM for pics

08-24-2004, 10:34 PM	#2
CaperCat Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Concord, North Carolina 28027 Posts: 64	Hey Slogo, I have a line on one from a board member. No warranty on the transmission like you would ge from Bowtie Overdrives. I'm almost ready to buy but not right this month. PM him or email to contact him. Here is the link: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s....php3?t=115371 Steve

08-25-2004, 12:26 PM	#7
72k5 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Livermore, CA Posts: 566	I also have one, Level 3 I think. Overall, I'd say they are good. My first tranny from them had some sort of serious problem, like an internal leak or something. During the period that we were trying to get it to work properly, I began to get a bit annoyed at them. There were repeated rounds of questions that seemed to be designed to elicit an answer of how I screwed it up. I spent hours and hours checking and rechecking the same things, with one person after another, and it never really was correct. It was always clear that if I refused to waste my time redoing exactly what they wanted, they would be more than happy to wash their hands of this thing. And, as I have a ASE Master certificate somewhere, and have built trannies myself, I know how to answer their questions and explain what is going on. God help a newbie in that situation. It finally came down to the point where I could remove it, send it back at my expense, and if they decided there was a problem, they would reimburse the freight. Or, I could drive the vehicle to them for inspection. I opted to do neither since it worked - sort of. That would be the main advantage to doing business with someone close to home. EDIT- Absolutely get the TV setup from whoever you get the tranny from if you can. Most problems with these trannies are caused by the TV setup, and if you have a problem, and it's not their TV setup, guess where the finger is going to be pointed. Anyway, the original tranny blew up, due to no fault of BTO, but due to a problem with a part they used in the tranny. After some discussion, they agreed to warranty it. They solved the original problems as well, and the new tranny is great. If I had known how well it was supposed to work, I would have sent it back in the beginning. Bottom line, it's mail order. If you have a problem, you will have more of a problem than if you are dealing with a reputable builder who you can take the vehicle to. But since this is their specialty, and they build so many, you can expect them to get most of them right. Good luck with whatever you choose. __________________ 350 ETec 170 heads, Performer, HEI, Holly TBI, 700r4, 14 bolt rear, F&R lockers, lots of off road improvements. Last edited by 72k5; 08-25-2004 at 12:30 PM.

08-25-2004, 12:35 PM	#8
vtblazer Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Central Vermont Posts: 8,538	Anybody have the link to BTO?

08-25-2004, 01:17 PM	#9
chevyhouse BEER-Vacation in a can... Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: wichita, ks Posts: 444	www.700r4.com __________________ Kurt 03' Trailblazer 69' C10 "SPSHL-K", 388 stroker/BTO 700R4, 2400 stall, 3.73 posi, lwb, fleetside long box, 3.5"/5" drop, 18" Budnik 2000 Yamaha V-Star 1100 Custom For Sale-87' V10-4x4, 408/700r4, 4.10's PM for pics

08-25-2004, 01:22 PM	#10
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,109	I've been running their tranny for 4-5 years now and haven't had any problems with it. But by all means get their tv made easy kit! __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

08-25-2004, 10:53 PM	#11
slogo Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Morristown,TN Posts: 482	Thanks all, gonna give them a call tomorrow and talk to them about the level II and tv kit.



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