700r4 vs. ?

[rayray767]

Is the 700R4 my only option as far as the a/t over drive for my 350 motor ? I know they made the 700R4 many years. What's the best year they made the 700R4 if thats all i got to choose from what should I look for when hunting for one? I read another thread yesterday and it said that the 700R4 is not good for a build with a lot of horse power. I'm looking for that thread again so I can ask why so. I read so much threads on this site not sure where or who said this.
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[GASoline71]

The 200-4R is the same dimensions as the TH350, and you probably won't even have to change your driveshaft length.

They are a little harder to find. But a well built 200-4R is the cats ass!

Gary

[kaycee]

Rumor has it that 87-93 are the ones to grab,I just put one in from a 91 the later ones have better internals sun gear ,clutchs,bands etc.It really woke my truck up on the street and cruising at 80 mph reving at 2300RPMS is SAHHHWEEET.You can put a newer trans 4L60E OR 4L80Ein but it will take a stand alone computer to run it.

[clinebarger]

How much power do you have?

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

Another idea to consider is using a 4L60 or 4L80 if you want to run a 2400rpm or higher stall. The stand alone computer does a much better job of lock-up.

That is the option I will use on my truck. Just not sure which trans it will be yet though.

[rayray767]

I would like to get around 450 -500 horse by beefing up this 350 however I have a friend of mine that wants to sell me his 400sb motor not sure the route I want to go just yet. It has a fresh 350 crate motor from G.M the last owner put in with around 500 miles on it. I haven't priced out anything just yet . I know the parts for a 454 big block are pricy not sure about a 400 ... Thanks everyone .. I'll ask my buddy about that 200-4r he's got tran parts all over the shop mabe I'll get lucky thanks Kaycee.
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[GASoline71]

Pulling 500 ponies out of a 350 is very expensive. Your looking at basically only reusing the block... and that will need to be a 4-bolt main as well.

Gary

[mplex2000]

200-4R as mentioned is a good one, if I ever go OD that's what I'd like to use with the easier swap and lower first gear.

500 IS a lot from a 350 though, I agree, even though a 2 bolt main is fine. I'd rather build a moderate SBC 400 though. More power with less effort, can be a torquey beast without running anything crazy or extreme. I am not up to speed on building stout GM trannys but I would think that any reasonable amount of power would be fine with a decent trans with just a few upgrades like better clutches, etc.

[clinebarger]

A Very well built/Expensive 700R4 can handle that, The only things that will be reused is the Valve body, Case, Center support, Pump halves & output shaft....Everything else will be aftermarket & 4L65E parts.
Build a '85 & up 30-spline, '87 debuted a forward accumulator to soften forward engagement. The other small updates GM did don't mean much when using 4L65E parts.

A good stock 4L80E with a good converter & a shift kit will also meet your needs at about the same price of a built 700R4.

Good 2004R cores are drying up fast, If you do find a good one....Build it! They make great transmissions when built correctly.

[rayray767]

So maybe i need to look more closely at getting this 400sbc .( 380817 ) He told me all it needed was bearings on the bottom due to seating on the floor they got rusted. He's asking 350.00 bucks does that sound fair on a motor like this ? I just don't know the history on it and this 350 crate motor I know is almost new. I guess my question would be is it worth the gamble on the 400 block to pull this 350 motor out to slap that one in it. Is it that much better of a motor for getting the horse power I'm looking to get.
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