How much power can a 700r4 handle?
How much power can a 700r4 handle?
I have the LT1 bolted to the 700r4 trans. How much power can this trans actually handel? I want to do a bunch of upgrades to the LT1 (cam, heads, intake, etc.) but don't want to blow the transmission. because If I do all this other work, I won't have enough to fix the trans if it gets destroyed.
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 5,703
Likes: 132
From: Orange, CA
Car: '90 Trans Am-12.45@110.71
Engine: 355 w/AFR 195's Elem. 400/430 HP/TQ
Transmission: Tremec T-56
Axle/Gears: 12 Bolt 3.73
Lot's....but not for long. They are known for being a weak link.
I have a company that says they can upgrade my 700r4 to handel it. should I trust that, or just look at a new one. and If I do a new one... what should I look at? I hate to do a new one, because I just did a lockup kit, vss etc to make the 700r4 talk to the new LT1
I just finished my LT1 swap. I also had the 91 RS, Mine had the 305 too. I used the stock trans (700r4) and it seems to be working just fine.
I've heard... the 700r4 can handel up to 400 horse. anyone please correct me if I'm wrong on that.
I've heard... the 700r4 can handel up to 400 horse. anyone please correct me if I'm wrong on that.
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I've heard that the engine can be damaged if the new trans can't handle the extra power and it slips.
I never heard that. I hope thats not true.
I have put about 1500 miles on it since the swap. I've been driving it pretty hard. but I had to put it away in storage. Dang winters. don't know the 0-60 time, but its MUCH faster than the stock 305. and I'm running stock exhaust from teh 305 and everything. so I konw I can open up a little more by swaping out the exhaust.
I have put about 1500 miles on it since the swap. I've been driving it pretty hard. but I had to put it away in storage. Dang winters. don't know the 0-60 time, but its MUCH faster than the stock 305. and I'm running stock exhaust from teh 305 and everything. so I konw I can open up a little more by swaping out the exhaust.
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 0
From: boonton, NJ
Car: 84 camaro Z28
Engine: 434sbc
Transmission: powerglide
Axle/Gears: moser 9" with 411 posi
im most likely going to put a 700r4 in my car very soon. i was going to go with a th350 but i would really like to have the overdrive.
I never heard that. I hope thats not true.
I have put about 1500 miles on it since the swap. I've been driving it pretty hard. but I had to put it away in storage. Dang winters. don't know the 0-60 time, but its MUCH faster than the stock 305. and I'm running stock exhaust from teh 305 and everything. so I konw I can open up a little more by swaping out the exhaust.
I have put about 1500 miles on it since the swap. I've been driving it pretty hard. but I had to put it away in storage. Dang winters. don't know the 0-60 time, but its MUCH faster than the stock 305. and I'm running stock exhaust from teh 305 and everything. so I konw I can open up a little more by swaping out the exhaust.
Are you using the same throttle body fuel injection that comes with the RS 305?
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia, Canada
Car: 87IROC/88GTA/02Sierra/04GrandPrix
Engine: 406 / 305 / 4.8 / 3.8
Transmission: T56 / T5 / 4L60e / ??
Axle/Gears: 3.70 / 3.45 / 3.42 / ??
Anyway, fairly simple upgrades can make the 700r4 handle 400hp....just don't be revving up the engine and dropping it into gear.....this is just stupid and will break your trans, regardless of modifications. Call a reputable transmission shop and ask for a quote to make your trans strong enough, call several places because you will find large differences in the quoted prices. If someone quotes you $1500 to get your trans to handle it then they are either overbuilding it or ripping you off.
A good way to guage what is required is to read the websites of the many transmission rebuilders online and see what they sell in their transmissions that they rate for the power you desire. Read what modifications they make to these tranny's. I could list everything out that I feel is adequate, but in the end, you probably would rather get someone to build it that will offer you a warranty on their work.
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 666
Likes: 15
From: Freehold, NJ
Car: 1991 Formula
Engine: 434
Transmission: PG
Axle/Gears: 4.33
a 700r4 to handle 400 HP is not that far fetched. Anything above that gets very pricey. Another thing that has to be considered is to what RPM are you taking the motor (yes it makes a difference). Also if you are drag racing the car, will it be on slicks?
About $1000-$1500 for a trans to handle 400 is reasonable. One built to handle 500HP will be around $2500. If anyone tells you they can build a 700r4 to take more than 500HP, walk away.
I am on my 3rd high dollar 700r4. Next time it breaks (not if, when) I'll be swapping in a TH350. I have a nifty collection of pieces that I have found in the pan over the years.
About $1000-$1500 for a trans to handle 400 is reasonable. One built to handle 500HP will be around $2500. If anyone tells you they can build a 700r4 to take more than 500HP, walk away.
I am on my 3rd high dollar 700r4. Next time it breaks (not if, when) I'll be swapping in a TH350. I have a nifty collection of pieces that I have found in the pan over the years.
Member
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 130
Likes: 0
Car: 1989 GTA CONVERTIBLE
Engine: 355 tpi
Transmission: ART CARR 700 R4
Axle/Gears: 3.70
i have had my 700r4 for a few years i have a local guy who builds all my tran missions he can build a 700 llike no one else i have had many others...i have run in the mid to low 10 sec range on this trans for 2 seasons plus driving the car all around..it wasnt cheap to build but it didnt cost me 3500 .00 either..regular maintenence and its fine plus i used nos too so i think its a pretty good transmission..th350 are great as are 400 but driveability??
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 382
Likes: 0
From: Illinois
Car: 89 Firebird
Engine: 350 Ramjet
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: GM 9 bolt 3:27
talk to Art Carr and tell them what you are wanting to do. Of course they will probably try to sell you something. They are one of the best at trans work. I use some of their parts in a 200r4 behind a Olds W31 325hp/350 and never broke it.
http://www.artcarr.com/
http://www.artcarr.com/
I'm swapping a 305 with 260,000 miles on the stock 700r4 for a rebuilt 350. I had the trans serviced every 40,000 miles and it works fine. It would only be a 75hp increase, I don't know about the torque. Do I need to upgrade the 700r4 to handle the extra hp and torque?
Last edited by arnold; Jan 30, 2007 at 04:31 PM.
Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 629
Likes: 1
From: Worcester
Car: 1984 Firebird T/A
Engine: 406sbc
Transmission: TH400
Axle/Gears: Moser 9"
I guess some upgrading is in hand for me. I'm probably at about high 300's now for Horsepower and I want to throw in a big cam and AFR heads. Should I just swap from my 700r4?
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 1,459
Likes: 2
From: CT
Car: 92 trans am clone
Engine: LO3
Transmission: 700r4
could the tranny handle a weekend couple of races with nitrous bringing power levels to about 350? but other than that running low power levels every other time?
I have 700R4's available starting in the 450HP & up range, all the way to 700HP+, it depends on what you are doing as to what will work best for you. If you want build the unit yourself, I carry the rebuild kits, videos, and build books, to build anything from Heavy Duty to all out racing. These kits are very complete and have everything that is needed to do this correctly.
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Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,779
Likes: 2
From: any clime or place...
Car: 1987 Camaro SC, 1999 Z28
Engine: GMPP 350HO, LS1
Transmission: Built 700r4/EDGE 3200, T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Eaton 7.625, 3.42 Zexel Torsen
Pro Built or PATC (raptor) can build you a 700r to handle 700+hp. Mildly improved stockers (servo/vb kits) are good for around 400, with decent clutches 450-500.
But, although many shops claim it, those are the only two I trust to actually make one take anything over 425hp.
But, although many shops claim it, those are the only two I trust to actually make one take anything over 425hp.
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