Question: What advantage is it to use a Corvette 700r4 core for a rebuild?

[Roasted Garlic Chicken]

Some builder told me the valve body was designed for the lighter Corvette.

If all else is the same and the trans is beefed up with good internals does it matter?

 

[SPANISHVETTS]

Some builder told me the valve body was designed for the lighter Corvette.

If all else is the same and the trans is beefed up with good internals does it matter?

The valve body is the ego of the transmission. Impala's need a smooth shift, the Malibu should feel crisp and Corvettes should give you a thrill.

All 700R4's are not the same BUT the Corvette version is not necessarily the best. On a good rebuild only the case and valve body will be reused. There are aftermarket clutch packs, disc, etc., that are much better than the OEM.

You should ask yourself, "what do I want this gearbox to do?" If you are going with a close to stock engine and daily driving then an "off the shelf rebuild" should see you through another 100 thousand miles. If you are dropping a 383 stroker in the engine bay then you need to be talking to somebody that knows how to build a "real" R4"

 

[Roasted Garlic Chicken]

i have a 500 + hp 383 stroker and swapping out of a a 6 speed.

is a regular case vs a vette case core just as good.

if i buy a monster trans will the valve body not be good for the vette?

 

[vetteoz]

is a regular case vs a vette case core just as good.
if i buy a monster trans will the valve body not be good for the vette?

As above, the only difference is in the shift points/ firmness which is from the valving and governor.If you were considering a upgrade you would put a quality shift kit in ; possibly with a governor kit ( to change shift points ) which takes away any advantage the Vette core had at the start
You swap a Vette tailshaft housing on to any core ( may have to trim end of output shaft, Vette is slightly shorter)

 

[Roasted Garlic Chicken]

As above, the only difference is in the shift points/ firmness which is from the valving and governor.If you were considering a upgrade you would put a quality shift kit in ; possibly with a governor kit ( to change shift points ) which takes away any advantage the Vette core had at the start
You swap a Vette tailshaft housing on to any core ( may have to trim end of output shaft, Vette is slightly shorter)

i am going to buy one of those high performance rebuilds that supposedly handles 650hp, would that not already address the shift points and i suppose the governor is for firmness correct?

what do you think my torque is? less or more than hp ratings?

how do you trim the output shaft is it not harden steel? i never heard of that,when you say "may" this mean possible, is it possible to get one that is shorter already? I really don't want any trouble like that.

what other advantage with the case? someone said the internals were upgrade every year and 88-90 is best and then the weak sprags came in after that, is this true?

 

[vetteoz]

how do you trim the output shaft is it not harden steel?

9" grinder works

i never heard of that,when you say "may" this mean possible, is it possible to get one that is shorter already? I really don't want any trouble like that.

If you buy a Vette one it will come the right length but you will pay the Corvette tax

someone said the internals were upgrade every year and 88-90 is best and then the weak sprags came in after that, is this true?

Everybody has their own opinion.
88 was a year of major upgrades fixing a lot of the early weak points .
The later 4L60E ( same trans with computer controlled shifts ) has further mechanical upgrades .If you buy a big $$$ 650Hp one it should have all the good HD parts in it

 

[Roasted Garlic Chicken]

9" grinder works

If you buy a Vette one it will come the right length but you will pay the Corvette tax


Everybody has their own opinion.
88 was a year of major upgrades fixing a lot of the early weak points .
The later 4L60E ( same trans with computer controlled shifts ) has further mechanical upgrades .If you buy a big $$$ 650Hp one it should have all the good HD parts in it

so what you are saying it really does not matter what case it is as long as it is 87 or newer since all the guts are upgraded correct?

 

[vetteoz]

so what you are saying it really does not matter what case it is as long as it is 87 or newer since all the guts are upgraded correct?

Yes
A HD trans should have all the problem stock parts replaced with aftermarket versions.
Read what is available and what comes with what level trans
700R4 Performance Transmission from PATC, 700 Raptor 700R4

 

[Roasted Garlic Chicken]

thanks