What is the best place to get a 700R4?
10-26-2021, 03:19 PM
#4
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
FTI is great!
They do not offer a THM700-R4 though.
Pro-Built Automatics (Dana) is great for THM700-R4 Builds (he is in California).
Since you are in Oklahoma, I will also recommend someone closer to you.
Farrer Out Transmission in Iowa (Grady) is awesome!
PM me if you want his Contact info.
They do not offer a THM700-R4 though.
Pro-Built Automatics (Dana) is great for THM700-R4 Builds (he is in California).
Since you are in Oklahoma, I will also recommend someone closer to you.
Farrer Out Transmission in Iowa (Grady) is awesome!
PM me if you want his Contact info.
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foxy 3152 (10-29-2021)
10-26-2021, 06:39 PM
#6
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
Don't go Summit for THM700-R4 Transmissions.
Both the THM700-R4 and THM200-4R are considered to be specialty Transmissions among GM Transmission Builders.
Many builders do not want to deal with their Throttle-Valve Cable/ System...
and it takes some very fine and little-know information to make these Transmissions work and last.
Most Businesses don't want to invest the time to learn what makes these Transmissions successful.
There are less than 10 Shops in the Country that can actually Build these Transmissions to their potential.
I actually would completely stay away from TCI and B&M (except for the topic of Oil-Coolers).
B&M puts their name on another Companies Oil-Coolers (Long Manufacturing)...
and they are very good, but about double the retail price of the original product (Long Manufacturing).
Here is a Post that I made on LS1Tech, regarding this topic:
Lastly Holley purchased control/ distribution rights for B&M Oil Coolers... they are being phased-out for Holley/ Earl's Branded Oil Coolers.
Holley like Federal-Mogul (and the now growing Edelbrock Performance Group), is now the second largest Aftermarket Performance Parts Company in the World.
The B&M Oil-Coolers should be purchased as the Long Manufacturing Product as the B&M versions are less and less available.
The Holley/ Earl's Oil-Coolers are absolutely amazing!!!
But they are also all very expensive.
Both the THM700-R4 and THM200-4R are considered to be specialty Transmissions among GM Transmission Builders.
Many builders do not want to deal with their Throttle-Valve Cable/ System...
and it takes some very fine and little-know information to make these Transmissions work and last.
Most Businesses don't want to invest the time to learn what makes these Transmissions successful.
There are less than 10 Shops in the Country that can actually Build these Transmissions to their potential.
I actually would completely stay away from TCI and B&M (except for the topic of Oil-Coolers).
B&M puts their name on another Companies Oil-Coolers (Long Manufacturing)...
and they are very good, but about double the retail price of the original product (Long Manufacturing).
Here is a Post that I made on LS1Tech, regarding this topic:
A few short notes to add:
1. The B&M oil cooler... while operating quite well, is a over-priced re-branded product.
It currently sells for aprox. $130 through Summit, Jegs, and others...
For example:
Summit sale link
The same product can be purchased as "Long Manufacturing: LPD4711" or "True-Cool: M7B".
Pricing is usually $70 - $80. Do not pay more than this...
For example:
Amazon sale link
2. Those of our cars and vehicles that are older and did not have OEM 3/8" diameter transmission oil-cooler lines installed...
Really should have the smaller 5/16" lines upgraded to 3/8" hard-line or -6AN hose.
This simple upgrade/ change actually had a great beneficial impact on the transmission oil cooler circuits and torque-converter charge circuits.
Life expectancy is increased from just the increase in cooler-line size (flow and temps here are improved).
GM made the change to larger transmission cooler-lines across the entire portfolio of vehicles... this is how beneficial the effect was!
3. Be carefull with any "Summit" or "Jegs" branded fittings/ hose-ends for AN lines.
They are generally perfectly fine for "One-Time" use. Meaning installed and never removed or altered.
These tend to strip the threads/ become damaged once taken apart for reuse.
If you plan on ever servicing/ disassembly of the AN lines; spend the money for a name-brand product such as "Earl's".
1. The B&M oil cooler... while operating quite well, is a over-priced re-branded product.
It currently sells for aprox. $130 through Summit, Jegs, and others...
For example:
Summit sale link
The same product can be purchased as "Long Manufacturing: LPD4711" or "True-Cool: M7B".
Pricing is usually $70 - $80. Do not pay more than this...
For example:
Amazon sale link
2. Those of our cars and vehicles that are older and did not have OEM 3/8" diameter transmission oil-cooler lines installed...
Really should have the smaller 5/16" lines upgraded to 3/8" hard-line or -6AN hose.
This simple upgrade/ change actually had a great beneficial impact on the transmission oil cooler circuits and torque-converter charge circuits.
Life expectancy is increased from just the increase in cooler-line size (flow and temps here are improved).
GM made the change to larger transmission cooler-lines across the entire portfolio of vehicles... this is how beneficial the effect was!
3. Be carefull with any "Summit" or "Jegs" branded fittings/ hose-ends for AN lines.
They are generally perfectly fine for "One-Time" use. Meaning installed and never removed or altered.
These tend to strip the threads/ become damaged once taken apart for reuse.
If you plan on ever servicing/ disassembly of the AN lines; spend the money for a name-brand product such as "Earl's".
Holley like Federal-Mogul (and the now growing Edelbrock Performance Group), is now the second largest Aftermarket Performance Parts Company in the World.
The B&M Oil-Coolers should be purchased as the Long Manufacturing Product as the B&M versions are less and less available.
The Holley/ Earl's Oil-Coolers are absolutely amazing!!!
But they are also all very expensive.
Last edited by vorteciroc; 10-26-2021 at 09:00 PM.
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Gordon G E (10-27-2021)
10-26-2021, 07:33 PM
#7
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
FTI is great!
They do not offer a THM700-R4 though.
Pro-Built Automatics (Dana) is great for THM700-R4 Builds (he is in California).
Since you are in Oklahoma, I will also recommend someone closer to you.
Farrer Out Transmission in Iowa (Grady) is awesome!
PM me if you want his Contact info.
They do not offer a THM700-R4 though.
Pro-Built Automatics (Dana) is great for THM700-R4 Builds (he is in California).
Since you are in Oklahoma, I will also recommend someone closer to you.
Farrer Out Transmission in Iowa (Grady) is awesome!
PM me if you want his Contact info.
did they change??
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10-26-2021, 08:59 PM
#8
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
Thank you for the correction.
On that note; I would pass on FTI for a THM700-R4 Transmission.
10-26-2021, 10:47 PM
#9
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
I bought one from bowtie overdrives a few years back. They were great to deal with and had them adjust shift points to 5500 rpms and it was dead on. Shifts nice and firm best shifting 700r4 I've ever had to be honest.
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vorteciroc (10-27-2021)
10-27-2021, 08:16 AM
#12
Member
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
just my 2 cents but i have a monster built trans in my car for over 6 yrs an NEVER had any issues .an i race every other weekend track days autocross spectator circle drag an its shift just as hard as when i first installed it.also have multiple friends that have the same trans one had an issue an it was taken care quick.
10-27-2021, 01:27 PM
#13
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
else sell it and go th400 or 4l80e if you want a strong trans. Basic rebuild on those works wonders.
10-27-2021, 11:01 PM
#14
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
TCI (like many other big name Automatic Transmission Companies) has felt that investing the time to learn what makes a Throttle-Valve Transmission work, to be a waste.
Instead of Increasing Line-Pressure apropiately, setting Clutch or Band clearance to a fine/ critical measurement, and sizing the appropriate Orifice, for a particular Shift to be firm and positive feeling...
They do what many uneducated people did in the 1970s and 1980s...
Shim an Accumulator, so that it is physically blocked in place.
That is how hard-parts break/ fail from improper, overly-harsh, bang-shifts.
They are way behind on technology and to this day still implement modifications that only harm the Transmission.
Most Transmission businesses today can build a Stock THM700-R4, or even a mildly modified THM700-R4 with great results.
The information needed to accomplish this is very well known.
However, there are roughly 10 Shops across the country that can properly build a THM700-R4, THM200-4R, and also the 4L60E, for reliable 600 to 1,000+ HP.
I know them all quite well, and have passed on some of the critical minutia that allows for such Transmissions to be built.
FTI is absolutely Great!
I love the Guys there (Dalton is the Man over there) and I love their Torque-Converters!
I recommend them on a daily basis... any of you can ask Dalton about me (Just refer to me as the GM Engineering Guy on LS1Tech).
They have some great THM400s and PowerGlides! Not state of the art, but that is not what they are claiming to offer anyway.
If anyone here needs to find a shop for a 3,000 HP THM400... I know the right places to send you!
If a mild or stock THM700-R4 is what you want... FTI will take great care of you.
However, I would pass on FTI for a more serious THM700-R4.
Instead of Increasing Line-Pressure apropiately, setting Clutch or Band clearance to a fine/ critical measurement, and sizing the appropriate Orifice, for a particular Shift to be firm and positive feeling...
They do what many uneducated people did in the 1970s and 1980s...
Shim an Accumulator, so that it is physically blocked in place.
That is how hard-parts break/ fail from improper, overly-harsh, bang-shifts.
They are way behind on technology and to this day still implement modifications that only harm the Transmission.
Most Transmission businesses today can build a Stock THM700-R4, or even a mildly modified THM700-R4 with great results.
The information needed to accomplish this is very well known.
However, there are roughly 10 Shops across the country that can properly build a THM700-R4, THM200-4R, and also the 4L60E, for reliable 600 to 1,000+ HP.
I know them all quite well, and have passed on some of the critical minutia that allows for such Transmissions to be built.
FTI is absolutely Great!
I love the Guys there (Dalton is the Man over there) and I love their Torque-Converters!
I recommend them on a daily basis... any of you can ask Dalton about me (Just refer to me as the GM Engineering Guy on LS1Tech).
They have some great THM400s and PowerGlides! Not state of the art, but that is not what they are claiming to offer anyway.
If anyone here needs to find a shop for a 3,000 HP THM400... I know the right places to send you!
If a mild or stock THM700-R4 is what you want... FTI will take great care of you.
However, I would pass on FTI for a more serious THM700-R4.
Last edited by vorteciroc; 10-27-2021 at 11:06 PM.
10-28-2021, 12:33 AM
#15
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Car: 92 RS 25th Anniversary Edition
Engine: treefiddy
Transmission: 700R4
10-28-2021, 06:49 AM
#17
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
If a mild or stock THM700-R4 is what you want... FTI will take great care of you.
However, I would pass on FTI for a more serious THM700-R4.
However, I would pass on FTI for a more serious THM700-R4.
10-28-2021, 03:34 PM
#18
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
Around the 500 HP Mark depending on vehicle weight, and use of power-adders.
Dana of ProBuilt Automatics is one of the Guys on my list of 10 Shops...
and he will only offer support for up to 650 - 750 HP at the Crank.
Dana of ProBuilt Automatics is one of the Guys on my list of 10 Shops...
and he will only offer support for up to 650 - 750 HP at the Crank.
10-31-2021, 08:01 PM
#20
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
O yeah!
Just another option, if you do not use Dana of Pro-Built Automatics in California.
Grady of Farrer-Out Transmissions in Iowa is just as good (he is also on my List of 10-Shops, like Dana of PBA).
Good luck, and have fun!
Just another option, if you do not use Dana of Pro-Built Automatics in California.
Grady of Farrer-Out Transmissions in Iowa is just as good (he is also on my List of 10-Shops, like Dana of PBA).
Good luck, and have fun!
11-14-2021, 06:57 PM
#22
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Car: Resto-Mod 1987 IROC-Z Clone
Engine: Alky fed L92 Vortec Twin-Turbo 6.8L
Transmission: My own built/ design 4L80M
Axle/Gears: Custom 12 bolt (4.10:1)
Re: What is the best place to get a 700R4?
Gearstar offers some good stuff.
But they do NOT make my Top Ten List.
As far as I know, they do not engineer or produce "In-House" Parts or "Shift-Kits".
They use well known Parts from Sonnax and TransGo.
I also do not recommend them for a Throttle-Valve Transmission (THM700-R4 or THM200-4R).
However, the other Model Transmissions that they sell are decent.
Honestly, with Dana (Member: "PBA") of Pro-Built Automatics being on the Forum...
I would make him your first choice for a THM700-R4 or 4L60E Build!
Anyone that is looking for a THM200-4R, THM400, or 4L80E...
should take a look at Jake's Performance Transmissions, over in Texas.
But they do NOT make my Top Ten List.
As far as I know, they do not engineer or produce "In-House" Parts or "Shift-Kits".
They use well known Parts from Sonnax and TransGo.
I also do not recommend them for a Throttle-Valve Transmission (THM700-R4 or THM200-4R).
However, the other Model Transmissions that they sell are decent.
Honestly, with Dana (Member: "PBA") of Pro-Built Automatics being on the Forum...
I would make him your first choice for a THM700-R4 or 4L60E Build!
Anyone that is looking for a THM200-4R, THM400, or 4L80E...
should take a look at Jake's Performance Transmissions, over in Texas.
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