Okay so I might be replacing my 700r4 soon as it may be on its way out. Just wondering what people think is the next best trans?

I got a 383 stroker and plan on spraying a 100-150 shot, don't think the 700r4 will hold up unless I throw a lot of money at it.

Wanting to spend under $2k CAD. Or would it just be better to build the 700r4?

 

700R4 is a good street transmission. Low first gear to get moving with crappy gears in the diff and an overdrive to bring the engine rpms down while on the highway.

As for best bang for the buck depends on what you want to use it for.

A good alternative is the 200-4R. It has roughly the same gear ratios as the TH350 plus it has an OD. This transmission is better and stronger than the 700R4. GM used this transmission in the Buick GN so it can take a lot more power than the 700R4.

A TH400 is one of the stronger transmission and even in stock form, can take a lot of abuse. No OD but a gear vendors OD unit can be installed. This is also one of the heaviest transmissions. A 4L80E is an electronic version of a TH400 but with an OD. It needs a computer to make it work. This is even heavier than the TH400.

A powerglide, providing you can still find one, is a very good lightweight transmission however it only has 2 gears. GM produced a lot of them through the 60's and 70's but they're getting hard to find. A few upgrades and they can easily withstand 1000HP. There are a bunch of different versions. The 1.76 first gear is the most popular but there is also a 1.82 first gear version which was put behind 6 cylinder engines. There were also changes from the earlier to the later models. Unless you plan on doing your own internal modifications, it's better to use one that's already been built as there are a few parts required to make them better.

Unless you're going to be putting a 700R4 back into the car, there are other things to consider. The transmission mount for a different transmission will be in a different position and the driveshaft length will have to be changed. You will also need to change other things like shifter linkage, cooler lines, vaccum lines (if required) etc to make it work.

My car is track only. When I bought the car, it came with a 700R4. Gear ratio was crap for the dragstrip. The spread between first and second is too far apart. After the first gear shift, the rpms drop below the powerband while at WOT. I then used a TH350 until I blew up the intermediate sprag. Switched briefly to a TH400 but wasn't happy with it. Finally installed a powerglide and never looked back.

A performance transmission will also need a better torque converter. Stall speed needs to be matched to the power curve of the engine. With torque converters, you really do get what you paid for. My race converter is worth about $1200. Came from a place in BC.

 

I recommend calling Phoenix Transmission in Weatherford, Texas, and discussing what you're going to do with the car, and transmission options based in your needs. They will steer you in the right direction, build exactly what you want and need, and then put it on a pallet and ship it to you at minimal cost and no core charge.

www.phoenixtrans.com

 

Dana at probuilt builds the best 700R4 transmission on the planet

https://probuiltautomatics.com/

Hundreds of users on thirdgen, ls1tech, corvetteforum, etc... use his transmissions.

 

He is one of the Best without a doubt!


...He uses many of my Designs and Hydraulic Modifications (some from Changes that GM did not want to spend Money on, and some I came up with afterwards).