Hey guys

I just need some opinions here from those who have had this kinda experience in the past.

For my 350 v8 swap, its going to entail me most likely swapping transmissions. I have a th350 from a 1979 camaro (its also possible the transmission is from a 1980, not sure)

I currently have a T5 and not too sure of its driveshaft length. Has anyone here went from T5 to Th350? I see ALOT of people goin 700R4 to TH350 but not other kind of swap.

Assuming the driveshaft lengths are the same, am I better off getting this kit
http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/me...ore_Code=MDITP

or just lengthening the driveshaft at a shop? I haven't called around so I'm unsure of the price of doing such a thing.

Also.. with gas prices rising ever so high, I kinda have some doubt in the TH350's ability to get decent mileage. Can some of you guys give me an idea what kind of mileage I'll be seeing with this transmission on a basically stock 350 (1980 LM1)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Due to the death of the 2.8L in my car, I need to get this swap done ASAP since this 84 is my daily driver

 

Acording to the diagram, that's a column shift. You don't have one of those do you?

The short 350 and 400 have close enough length to use the same driveshaft.

It will burn more gas with a 3 speed tranny vs 4 speed OD. How much more I'm not sure. I'd guess an extra 10-15 percent more gas.

 

Ahh I thought that was for a floor shifter. I'm not goin for column at all. Its the same link ljnowell posted before so I assumed floor (since I don't think camaros ever came with a column shifter)

Ok, so maybe I should try finding a 700R4? How exactly would I find one that will have the same bellhousing pattern as my 1980 350? An adapter bellhousing or something?

 

ttt

anyone have some advice? This is really giving me a headache and sorta keeping the swap on hold.

I know a whole lot of members here are running on Th350s, the least I could get for info is the kinda mileage you see out of your car.

 

just find a 700r4 from a camaro with a v8 if you have a v8 or a v6 if you have a v6 just make sure it comes from a camaro so it will have the tailshaft that you need to hook up the torque arm the t5 drive shaft will work with the 700r4 but if you go the th350 route with a short tail you need a driveshaft 3 inches longer hope this helps you

 

My uncle owns a tranny shop and he confirms the same thing with me - 10-15% worse mileage. He convinced me to rebuild the 700 instead of go with a TH350. If you take long road trips this really adds up.

Not to mention that on the highway the car is quite a bit louder cuz of the engine RPMs.

I'd go with a 700R4

 

I see... that reaffirms my belief that I should get the 700R4. Now big problem I see here is this... retrofitting it to a 1980 block. I'd figure the bellhousing pattern would be dif and I might need a new flywheel. Am I wrong? I hope I am lol.

 

Will bolt right up unless it is from a 60 degree V6, no flywheel on an auto they have flexplates.

 

Oh damn your right, sorry. So used to having a stick and referring to them as flywheels lol

As for 700R4 bolting right up, hell yeah I like that idea.