Tranmission questions

[tscott9330]

Alright my engine is nearing completion. That means it's time to start thinking about the drive train.

I have a stock th350 right now and I dont think it will hold up long to the torque my 383 is gonna be putting out, so I would like to know if I should stick with the th350 or should I change it out for something else?

I will end up doing alot of higway driving and so I think I should have an overdrive of somesort to save my engine. should I get a trans with one of these built in or do they make something that would attach to a th350 or th400?


P.s. I want to keep the stock 3.08 rear end for the time being. But I will consider changing it in the future.

Tom Scott

 

[sscam69]

If you want to keep it automatic a 700R4 would probably be what your looking for as far as overdrive is concerned.

There is the Gear Vendors overdrive but for what it costs you might as well be a new tranny.

 

[tscott9330]

sorry for the late response.

I have 2 questions. The first and most important is what mods do i need to make to make a 700r4 fit and does this trans use any electronic controls that i need to integrate into my system?



Also, just for ****s and giggles, what would it take to convert my auto corvette to a minual?

Tom

 

[MaineShark]

A 200-4R will fit in easier than a 700-R4. Either one will need you to modify your shifter for four speeds instead of three (there are kits) and install a TV cable connecting the carb to the transmission (again, there are kits). You'll need a lock-up torque converter and the wiring to connect the lockup system to your brake pedal, as well (and, as you might have guessed, there are wiring kits). You'll also need some tools to do the installation and setup - most importantly a transmission pressure gauge, so you can get the TV cable calibrated properly... if you get that too far out-of-whack, you'll end up buying a new transmission fairly soon.

The 700-R4 will require you to have your driveshaft shortened, since the transmission is physically longer than the TH350. You'll also need a new crossmember to mount it. The 200-4R doesn't require either of those, since it has the same length as the TH350, and bolts into the existing crossmember (although you may need to move the crossmember to a different set of mounting holes - I'm not certain - it doesn't really matter, since it's bolted-in).

Personally, I'd go with the 200-4R. I'm looking into the conversion, but I'm having trouble finding one that will survive the amount of torque that I plan on subjecting it to. Of course, if I wasn't looking for one that could survive 500 ft-lbs, I'd probably have an easier time...

Joe