Should I buy 89 IROC Z28 700R ?

[RShaips]

I posted this in the Engine & Drivetrain section also, I can buy a completly rebuilt 89 IROC Z28 700R Tranny for $275.00, with a stock converter. It was rebuilt for a performance application and the guy rolled his car 2 weeks later. I was told that this is a desireable Trannsmission because of the close ratio of 1st and 2nd gear. I have no idea, I know very little about Trannys , all I know is I need one for my 67 SWB with 383 Stoker motor. Should I buy it ? Thanks

[rustyold72]

$275 I'd be a lttle leary of that, I say that because a fresh rebuild (especially one termed "performance" ) usually costs around $1000 (closer to $1500), and to sell it for that little, I'd guess it's a stock 700, not that that's a bad thing.
It really depends on the hp/torque output of your 383, if the tranny is stock it likely won't live long, ask to see some reciepts from the rebuild, if it's really been done (and done right) that's a huge bargain
Good luck

[Longhorn Man]

Also, the gap between the first and second is not close, it is actually a bigger gap than most engines want.
I agree with rusty, something smells kinda fishey. It may well be true and we are just too carefull...but personally, I wouldn't sell it that cheap if I was in that situation.
You'll have to fab a wedge to mount the tranny in there....IIRC it is mounted at a 15 degree angle...or is that just the 5 speeds?

[rustyold72]

Just the 5 speeds, the tailshaft will also have the mounting bosses for the f body torque arm (dunno if it makes a difference) but you can get a different tailshaft if it does give you probs.
BTW a performance converter will set you back nearly the $275 he wants for the tranny, so unless he has reciepts for the performance rebuild, it's probably a stock 700 (not a bad thing) the rebuild on my 700 cost $1200 with a crap load of performance upgrades
I'd also wonder how badly its been beat on considering he rolled it (not easy to do with an IROC Camaro)

[Longhorn Man]

And personally, not being a big fan of that tranny, I'll say if you are pushing out a decent amount of power, the tranny may not hold up real long. You'll also end up spending quite a bit to hook it all up properly. It is a very tempermental tranny that will make you pull your hair out if it isn't set up exactly right.

[RShaips]

I think I can talk to the shop that rebuilt it. Is this 700R different because it came from an IROC ? I just want the 4 speeds so that I can make it more driveable, right now with the 373 gears and the powerglide it is not something want to cruise in for any extended period of time. I believe that this is a good deal for me, I am just not that familiar with transmissions. Will I have more trouble installing this m,odel as opposed to a different 700R? Thanks

[RShaips]

OH yea, he knows he is selling it cheap, he traded for the car, from a friend of his and is parting it out. He wanted $700.00 for the motor and tranny, he already sold the motor for $400.00. I would have bought that just for a spare if I had known earlier.

[smokekiki]

See if You can talk to the shop.I like the 700 that is in my suburban.You will need to hook up a way to lock the converter.Check out www.700r4.com

[smokekiki]

I had mine rebuilt 2 years ago.It was in the suburban when I bought it.The previous owner had the tv cable wrong.The shop charged me 1600 to do a performance rebuild and remove and replace.I put a different intake and carb on a couple weeks ago.i took it back to the trans shop,had the fluid,filters changed and the tv cable adjusted with a pressure gauge.That is the best and correct way.It was 95.00.The TV cable MUST be adjusted correct.

[RShaips]

Thanks for the Website, I really want a 700R4 Tranny and will probably buy this one. Thanks for the help

[72c5]

I believe that all 700R's had the same ratios, and the 1 to 2 gap is a bit much, but the 1st gear is really low and pulls like crazy.......lower than a th350 or th400.......

The 200 4R is the tranny that had a closer 1st and 2nd, but that is probably, from what I hear, the weakest transmission of the bunch.......

For $275 i'd buy it in a sec, if it works great, if not you still have a core......just make sure the TV is adjusted.....another good site courtesy of RustyOld72 www.tvmadeez.com

[busterwivell]

Why not check with the people who rebuilt it about setting it up in your truck or even doing the complete install, that should tell you about what they know about the tranny. $275.00 is cheap for a fresh one. Like the others say, it all in how well it is set up, Mine has been in for 2 and a half years now, behind a 402, and I tow with it most of the time, never a problem. When I had it built, I told them EXACTLY how I would use it.

[RShaips]

I am going to buy it tonight, He will give me my money back if it doesn't work. How do you guys do the linkage to the steering column ? I have a powerglide now, what will I need to change ? That is the only thing that I am unsure about. Will all torque converters lockup if wired to do so ? Thanks

[busterwivell]

Be CAREFUL! The lockup switch I have in my 700R4's is from deisel cars, but I leave it up to my tranny guy. You can play with the shift lnkage some, and you may not get to shift to 1st, but make SURE the TV cable is done correctly, or you'll need AAA.

[RShaips]

I bought it. It was wrecked last Feb 04 and has been sitting since then. It still is full of clean fluid, the torque converter looks new and has a sticker on it dated 12/03, he said it also was beefed up with a shift kit etc.. Looks to be a good deal !

[smokekiki]

Check with the shop about the converter being a locking style.Some of the performance 700r converters were non locking[99% chance that it locks}.The lock up is simple,after you know what internal set-up is in the trans.