My buddy and I are going to build a 355ci engine to put in my car over the next year or so. He says I should keep the 700R4 until it breaks on me, but I want to get a TCI TH350 s/s tranny. He has a 355 in his Camaro RS and he has the 700R4. I was just wondering what y'all had to say about it. Thanks!

 

after two 700R4 trans.....i have a Th350 in the car now and couldn't be happier. Of course everyone on the chicago board pushes the 700R4 route through either pro-built or jimmy's transmissions....but at $1100 for the trans and $700-900 for a converter I'll stick to a TH350 for $500 all built up and $400-450 for a nitrous converter and pocket the extra thousand.

 

 

My opinion is the opposite. I have had incredible good fortune with the 700. I have been running stock type converters and it has survived very well behind stout power. I would rather have the strong first gear and let the lock up and overdrive put the money back in my pocket(in fuel savings). If I were building a race car that saw no street duty, I would have a different opinion.

 

ive personally had 2 700's come apart on me and we now will only run th350 or th400 transmissions.

but its like anything else some people will have better luck with something that others will not....

But honestly the price it costs to build a 700 r4 compared to a th350 is rediculous....

 

I certainly did not post it to debate. The guy who started the thread deserves both opinions. I rebuild my own, so for me cost is not an issue. Overhaul parts are the same are the same price for both. Converters are clearly less money for the 350. After 15 years of pounding, I have yet to pop one. Wear out yes. But I have been lucky and had no huge failure. Some of us actually like the trans the world loves to hate.

 

Easy man, I dont think anyone was trying to debate. Stock for stock that 350 is stronger. But it has no overdrive. Its an either/or thing really. If you drive a lot on the street, you need an overdrive. If you plan to race a lot and have limited street use, go for a 350 and spend the difference on other things.

 

Just like anything, what you put into it, will get you the results. Floorguy built a 700R4 for me last year, and it was your typical rebuild, except for replacement of parts that are known to let go in that trans. The unit held up all year, with 1.57 60' times, with slicks. Ive seen 700s break, and Ive seen TH350s break as well.

 

No one has ever proven to me that the 350 is stronger. I have had them both apart, side by side on the bench.One does not look any better than the other. The 700 evolved from the turbo 350. The early years shared some of the back half parts. The same years that were troublesome for the 700's(82-86) are the same years that they shared the same lo roller clutch. Only after they beefed it up to larger than 350 lo rollers(among other changes) did the 700's begin to develop a positive reputation. I have broken 5 chrysler torque flight 6 transmissions, 2 chrysler torqueflight 8 transmissions, 1 ford fmx transmission and a c4 ford transmission in my life (on daily drivers). Ironicly I have never broken a 700 in my street/strip car. Is the 700 the greatest trans in the world NO! It ain't bad if done right.

 

Well, I personally think the TH350 is stronger. I fried the 700R4 in my IROC 2 months after I got it (because I do crazy stuff with it). But no problems since I swapped the TH350 in, good for over a year so far still going strong even though I abuse it alot. They were both stock. The only thing I can say for that old 700R4 is I dont know its history. So maybe it wasnt maintained properly over the course of its life. So this isn't really a fair test but hey what can I say. I definately abuse my transmissions in this IROC-Z but I do maintain them properly.

To the original poster, I think it all comes down to if you need OD on the freeway or not. If you do then 700R4. If you dont then TH350.

 

Lol yeah that put's me between a rock and a hard place because I usually only drive around town, but when I go home from school here in Tuscaloosa to Ohio it's about 700 miles up I-65 and I-71. Does TCI make a TH350 with an overdrive option or should I stick with a 700R4?

 

The turbo 350 is a non overdrive trans. The only way I am aware to make it overdrive, involves buying a gear-vendors overdrive unit and attatching it to the back of the turbo 350 trans. A guy on the corvette forum did this (except using a turbo 400, same principal though) and he spent a combined total of $5000+ for parts and fabrication. Unfortunately, if budget is a concern(like it is for most of us), the options are limited. The 700r4 is the only practical overdrive unit to install. The turbo 350 is certainly the practical non overdrive trans.

 

Hmmm yeah with my drive every break, I should probably keep the 700R4, I'll just try to find a good s/s built one. Thanks for the advice y'all!

 

I dont think its a matter of proving to anyone. THe proof has been made on countless race tracks. Personally, I dont think that the 700 has ever had a reputation as a "strong" trans. They can be built strong, no one would dispute that. I have seen some bullet proof 700's. The cost factor is just way out the window.

 

Well that sets me straight.

 

Does TCI make a pretty strong 700R4?

 

NO! Everything I have ever bought from TCI crapped out in short order. I would not recommend them. Your best bet is having a local guy build one, in my opinion. If you have a problem, service after the sale is much easier than mailing it back and forth across the country. Regardless of the trans you choose, low power stuff(under 400hp) does not need much to live. This assumes it is assembled properly.

 

You know, I cant tell if you have a sense of humor, or if you just like to drop little nuggets of flame bait.

 

Yep I thing he is just trying to start one of the oldest arguements on this board...Which transmission is stronger?......and before we know it this thread will be locked.

 

Not true. I re read the origional poster's question. He did not ask which is stronger, but I believe, implied better for his application.
The opinions I gave him were based on a few things.
275,000 mile car with 700r4
16 years of weekly bracket racing with runs ranging from mid 14's down to high 10's as the car evolved.
Building both unit's, 350's and 700's.
My opinion is based on hands on experience. The origional poster is entitled to hear both opinions.
If I were building a race car with less than 500 hp, the first transmission I would drop in would be a 350. Very few parts to go wrong. Especially the tv system.Strong, inexpensive and decent gear ratios. My disagreeing was not to debate which is stronger. I know which is. It was intended to give factual first hand advise. he can do with it as he pleases.
And also, except for my killer good looks and huge bank account, My sense of humor is my best quality

PS, Mods do not lock the thread. The info is decent.

 

Yeah I would like this not to be locked, I'm getting some useful info. Well I'm getting a crate 383 to put in it from GM Goodwrench, which only produces 340HP from them, but I want to put the holley systemax top end kit on it which should bump it up to 425HP. Later on I'll want a supercharger as well. Floorguy do you build trannies for sale or just for yourself?

 

I started out building them for myself. That turned into building them for local friends, family and drag race buddies. It is a hobby that puts a few bucks in my pocket. I only do 2 or 3 a month. My trade is the construction business. Time usually prevents me from doing much more that that. Brutalforms firebird made almost 500hp on the engine dyno. Almost 600 ft lbs as well. We did very little in modifications to his and he has good luck as well. His car is the strongest car I personally have put a 700 behind( Not counting my own car) It is the rolling testbed. If he breaks it, we will just fix it. We know that these 2 car are definately pushing the limits.

 

Well I was asking because I'll need one this summer, in fact I think my torque converter is going out now, and I was wondering how much one would run to have one built. I live in Ohio but my grandma lives in PA and it's usually a summer trip anyways. If you don't like the hassle of building them for other people I understand, but I am interested, especially since TCI doesn't seem like a good idea now. Let me know thanks!

 

Dana at Probuilt builds a hell of a 700r4. YOu can also order his kit, to do it yourself. Its basically everything needed to make a strong 700.

 

Eh, I'm not near experienced enough for a tranny not to mention lack of tools. How much are they already built from there?