I have a 1988 305TPI with a 700-R4 that is in the process of loosing 2nd gear. I have another 700-R4 with roughly 40k on the rebuild that I was thinking about swapping in. I also have a 350/4l60-E setup out of a 97 4x4 Tahoe and I was thinking this would be the better choice since my tired old 305 has over 180k. I have spent hours looking for advice on this exact swap and haven't gotten anyplace. My biggest concerns are with the electronics of the swap and also I have heard the transmission is shorter on the 4x4 versions of the 4l40-E. I know the truck has a lot more emissions than my car does but i wasn't sure if the cars computer will control the newer engine or do you have to swap computers.

 

Yes you would have to swap computers. Your computer cannot control an "E" transmission.

No you cannot use a 4WD transmission in a 2WD application.

The 97 motor has Vortec heads. Your TPI intake won't bolt to them.

However, you might be able to get somewhere, if you used the short block from the truck, the heads & intake from your 305, sold the 4L60E, and rebuilt your 700.

 

I was actually thinking about putting the complete 350 in the car and not using anything from the 305. I have everything for the 350, its actually in the Tahoe still.

 

I've never heard anything good about swapping the Vortec spider injection system into a car.

I'm with Mr. Sofa on this one - mostly. You can get a Vortec TPI base and run your current TPI system (larger 350 injectors would be a good idea). The '88 ECM can run a 350, although chip tuning would allow it to run better.

The 4x4 4L60E would have to be completely disassembled to replace the output shaft to a 2WD version - might as well rebuild your current TH700.