Pretty soon I will be starting my project on my 87 Iroc Z. I have a 396 big block that will be going in their soon, dont know the specs about the motor but I do know it got my dads 70 chevelle in the high tens low elevens. The motor that is in the roc will be thrown out (Dead 305). The transmisson is shot, wont go into od at 70, slams into reverse and so on. I just need to find a trans that can handle the 396, looking at tcis 700r4 pr am i better of getting mine a rebuild?

 

Forget about the th700. It will die and die again behind a 10 sec bigblock engine.

It is not difficult to install a th400.

GearVendor is an option if you want overdrive on the 400.

You can use a 4L80E. That is also more or less a bolt in. You need a controller for it if you don't convert to full manual valve body.

With any of these three options you need to build a new tranny mount and a new driveshaft.

 

I was looking at a th400 and a 2spd powerglide, the thing is I also have a munci m22 rock crusher that was with the chevelle sitting in the garage but Im not sure how much of a pain it would be to install.

 

What are you going to do with the car once this baby big block is in there? If daily driving, or lots of highway cruise, then something with OD is very nice. And, the TH700 can be made to handle a 396. I know a guy with one behind a healthy 454 in a '65 Impala, he runs it at the strip and on the HRM Power Tour (been on the cover twice). The tranny hasn't given him any trouble. My original '86 TH700 from the Camaro is slated for the '57 when I can justify the parts for the rebuild and converter (probably when driving it back to my 35th HS reunion in '08). '88-up TH700's are generally considered superior to the earlier models, but that doesn't mean they're weaker. Whether you buy an off-the-shelf TCI (or anything else) or get yours rebuilt depends upon your confidence in the competence of whoever rebuilds yours.

The 4L80E is a tempting consideration. TCI & others make stand-alone controllers for them. Basically a TH400 with OD added.

The M22 wouldn't be too bad. Clutch linkage/setup would be the biggest headache. I'd highly recommend you look at the Spohn crossmember/torque arm if you go that route. And a 12-bolt rear from Moser.

The 'Glide should only be considered for a lightened, trailered, race-only car.