450tq is nothing. ill be putting out more than that with my 383 i just built(in sig). if you upgrade the 700r4 right they can handle 700hp no problem(also in sig)... mine can handle 675+hp. the th400 should only be used if u NEED A REALLY STRONG TRANS! like your car is faster than 9s in the 1/4.
PPl dont realize that the TH400 is a bunch heavier than the 700r4, the TH400 also has heavier internals that take more HP to spin. a heavier trans, with heavier spinning internals means u have a slower car with nothing else changed. ppl usually swap th400s for 200r4s(which can be built to handle 1000+hp) and they area actually faster in the 1/4. not to mention the addition of overdrive etc. IM SICK OF PPL saying the 700r4 is a weak trans...the 700r4 in stock condition is a weak trans bc it was built to handle the max of 245hp. you put 500$ in a rebuild kit that will change everything in the trans and make it handle 600-700hp and then u spend 200-600$ on a converter and you still be cheaper than a Th400 build/swap.
gona help u out a bit here
call DANA heres his site.
BUY THIS KIT! but talk to him and order it bc he will match it to your engine/trans/rear gear/vehicle weight etc. this guy knows his SHlT! and he wont screw u over and hell spend all the time u need on the phone with u.
depending on the year of the trans and what power u will make choose a kit
https://www.700r4l60e.com/store/home.php?cat=19
the 700r4 first gear is 3.06 which is the steepest gear in all the auto transmissions... it will get u out of the hole in NO TIME! the 1-2 large gap shift will not be a problem if your making enough power