Does anyone know how much power you can put through the stock 700-R4? I am planning an engine swap and want to know if I need a new tranny. Also, would any small block mate up to it? I am planning on putting a 350 with about 400hp in my 89'RS. Let me know what you guys think.

 

400Hp might be pushing it a little on a stock 700. I think they got better after 89 maybe, but eitther way I'd get it worked over it you're going to be doing any "spirited driving" or pulling track duty.

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Matt86Z
~Check out my Thirdgen~
...This Ain't No Speedway!...

 

I've read that the 'some' 700r4's can handle cars running 8's. Not sure where I read this, but it's out there.

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2.8 Liter V6
No Current Mods

Third Generation Camaro Site

 

700's are good for mildly hopped up engines in heavy cars(3500+lbs.)with the deep 1st gear it helps thhe f body porker outta the hole.if you don't mind a crossmember swap go find a monte carlo i believe they came with the standard chevy bolt pattern annd can be bilt a lot stronger/cheaper than the 700's the 82 camaro crossmember may work.

 

I just completed a TPI 406 swap and it pretty well killed the stock tranny...although the tranny was dying anyway

Check out www.pro-built.net. I talked to Dana there as I am installing ported Vette heads (L98) and a Super Ram over the winter. Needless to say, I should have a lot of torque. Pro-built has come highly recommended by others on this site, see the Transmission message board section.

After talking with Dana, the key to longevity is to use a smaller diameter convertor. This is due to a lot less rotating mass and greater efficiency. It will create reliability with less heat and less parts breakage than a similar 12" convertor. I am most concerned about reliability. Their tranny is $1400 with a one year warranty, but it can handle 550+ horsepower. Overall, with an ACT convertor (similar to Vigilante) the cost would be about $2,000. Now I am concerned about overdrive, which drops the TH350 or 400 out of the picture, although you could make it happen with either of them too.

It comes down to answering the question of needing overdrive or not. If you need overdrive, then stick with a built 700R4...it is the simplest and best auto overdrive tranny.

If no overdrive is needed, then get a built th350, or th 400 if you are making that much horsepower...

-Adam
88 GTA TPI 406...mods in progress

[This message has been edited by 88TPI406GTA (edited December 13, 2001).]

 

no way they can handle 400 HP stock, ive seen persoanlly many blow on stock 305's and read about it all the time on here as well im sure we all have about 700r4's blowing all the time, BUILT they can handle quite a bit of power but stock there pretty weak.