my dad made me get rid of my camaro 2 weeks ago, but i pulled my 350 and tranny out of it.

this weekend I am getting a 1981 chevy pickup truck with:
350 4 bolt main (my 350 out of the camaro was only 2 bolt main)
alluminum intake
holley 4 barrel carb
open element air intake
headers with 2" collectors
400 transmission



sorry its not quite thirdgen anymore but hope someone still knows answer since im not used to asking other places Oo


the 400 transmission was rebuilt a year ago. my question is this,
my 700-r4 transmission is all in pieces halfway through a rebuild that I am doing myself, I was going to put a transgo shiftkit and a overhaul kit in it.

But would it be better to just rebuild the 400 with a shift kit and what not?

I am looking to have better gas mileage when cruising, but when I need to get off the line be able to nicely.

 

If you want better gas milage go with the 700-r4. you will also have better off the line with the 700r4 because 1st gear is much steeper.

The pluses for the 400 is mostly strength.

 

So If I wanna tow boats or cattle, leave the 400 in? but for generic driving and racing use the 700-r4?

 

it depends on how much racing....if you begin to put some hp behind it and have sticky slicks, unless the 700-r4 is "built" it may not live long.

For a generic driver, better gas milage and an occasional trip to the track yes 700-r4.

 

Well, Im rebuilding the 700-r4 now, was planning a transgo shift kit, is there anything else besides the overhaul kit I should put into it so that i wouldn't have to worry about the transmission after 6 months of driving?

 

Get a large trans oil cooler too.

 

I was just going to use the one that is built into my Radiator since it didn't even come with one stock, or is that a bad idea?

 

The one in the radiator is "okay," but for a heavy vehicle, you should go ahead and ensure for the longevity of the trans. that it stays cool and run an external cooler. They're not pricey so it's cheap insurance.

If you're really using the truck for towing and as a work truck, the TH400 starts to be a better option. Depending on the amount of highway driving you do would decide it...

 

truck is just for cheaper insurance til i get out of college lol.
.5% of the time I will be towing something.

What type of Torque converter should I get to go with the 700-r4 if I will be switching it?