alright I have an 89 t/a with the 700r4, most people tell me I need to switch to the t350 but I like my overdrive, plain and simple. Also Ive heard that the 700 takes too much power to turn to be really effective, the shifts are way too far apart and they weigh a ton. What is your preference on tranny's. Should I bite the bullet and go with a t5 or beef up the 700. Some tq. converter advertise a .5 second difference in the quarter mile, I dont think I believe this but with a 2200-2500 stall, corvette servos and a b&m shift kit what should my gains be on a all bolt on lb9 305? thanks yall

 

people also say a ford 9 inch and a th400 are heavy as hell, and they take too much power to turn. but guys still use them because they're bulletproof,when built right. same thing with a 700r4. build it right and you won't have any problems out of it behind your LB9. now, if your LB9 is pushing 800 hp..... thats another story entirely.

 

What do you want to do with it? Cruiser and occasional drags, dedicated drag, SOLO, open road race...? The choice between auto and stick is a matter of taste--if you want to win at the drags you'll stay automatic, maybe the 350; if you want to usually win at the drags but be able to drive to work the next day you'll use your overdrive automatic; if you really want to enjoy driving your car and experience good handling you'll switch to the manual trans--then do the T5/T56 decision.

 

Only you can decide if you would rather a stick or auto. *I* prefer auto. I do not pretend to be the worlds greatest gear banger and do very well with the 700r4. Most guys who run a stick will tell you that they are faster than autos. I do not see this at the 6 dragstrips I frequent. 700's have a bad undeserved reputation in my opinion. My car is on its third 700. It also has 265k miles- thousands (I saved the first 3 thousand time slips) of drag runs that ranged from 14.50 down to high tens. I would never try to convince a stick guy to convert to auto. Stick is clearly more fun. For the "typical" driver *I* feel the auto will usually be quicker in the 1/4. Long story short: Buy what you like and enjoy the ride.