• Hello. In the past week Ive been working on my 700R4 (1991) out of my 1986 TA. Going at it one thing at a time, listening to the profesional and experienced advice, and doing this for the 1st time. Im very mechanially inclined and wanted to take the opportunity to learn a new skill in rebuilding the auto that died. So far it has gone well. But I am to a point where I decided that since the 3-4 Clutches were worn and the others look very cheap, I am going to replace them.
• My findings for what I have now is as follows:
• 3-4 Pack = 6 frictions 6 steels
• OverRun = 2 frictions 2 steels
• Low-Rev = Not out yet but says it should be 5/5
• Forward = 5 frictions 4 steels ?
• Reverse = 4 frictions 4 steels
• They all have a brown looking paint on the inner 'teeth' which might determine the brand if anyone recognizes that feature. The OverRuns have a double cross-hateched groovings, the 3-4 material is a dark brown where the rest are a lighter brown and th Fwds are more tan. There was 1 Fwd friction that still had a marking. Raybestos 505070 and a date code. There was also a single 3-4 clutch with a marking but it couldnt be determined. The Rev set has a single sross-hatched groovings.
• I am guessing thay are a re-lined genero Raybestos set?
• My band was a relined Raybestos brown.
• My main questions are : What do I have now...but not that important. What are some suggestions on brands and types? What upgrades in packs are availible and recommended? Best and most inexpensive place to purchase an entire kit? Preferrably with upgraded materials.
• Things Ive read about :
• Kolene is a treatment for Steels. Alto steels are treated with it.
• Alto makes Red Eagle, HE and Std Brown sets
• BorgWarner makes a Hi-Energy set
• Raybestos makes Blue Plates, Z-Pack and a few other basic sets.
• 3-4 Pack can have up to 9 clutches and as little as 5
• Mine had 6
• Best is 9 for solid shift but heats up
• Less than 7 is weaker
• 8 with full thickness steels are the best all around
• Not much info on any other pack upgrades besides just better materials. I want the best bang for my buck. I would prefer an entire set in one. But if I needed to get the 3-4 seperate for some reason, then I would. Obviously I will be changing the 3-4 configuration to more plates, so my kit would need to be inclusive with a set of steels/selector plate/snap ring in the 3-4 set.
• BTW, my car has a 355 Chevy, Its estimated modestly at 420HP and 415TQ. Mostly street cruises but some track time and spirited driving. I have a Superiot HP kit completely installed, added the Lo-Rev BoostValve, VetteServo, Raybestos std width HPS 2-4 band, Precision approx 2500 stall, and have 3.42s out back.
• Also been reading about upgrading some other internals. SunShell, 5-pinion planetary (if GM part), 29 BW sprag, 4L65E 3-4 return spring and Kolene or Turbulator steels. Any of this nessesary or not?
• If you have any links to places that sell any of these parts and kits, please let me know. If you are a dealer or tranny shop, please give me some ideas, recommendations and/or prices you have. Im looking for the sweetest deal since money is tight.
• I also appreciate any help and expereinced shared.
• THX in Advance Michel

 

Nada Huh?

 

I rebuilt my 700R4 a few years back. I assembled the best collection of parts available from TCI, Art Carr (the original), etc, and the best hard parts available from the aftermarket & GM at that time, did some mixing & matching. nowadays there's a whole lot more goodies available that makes my mouth water. I would make the investment in the best hard parts you could get, the best clutches & steels. because whatever you do, once it's assembled, sealed up, and bolted in, you're not going to be revisiting it for years.

I had to buys some 700R4 specific tools, and was able to fabricate some of my own.

My rebuilt 700R4 started off behind a solid roller-cammed holley-carbed 350, but it's now doing yeoman duty behind a carburated 540 BBC. so far so good, but I'm paying attention (like you are) of the newer technology parts for my next rebuild.

BTW, I found the 700R4 ATG rebuild manual to be indispensable. also, my understanding is that the 87-and later years are better design than the earlier ones. the later, the better. yours is a 1991, so you're good to go on that. I wouldn't use a 1986 core, even if it was for free.

 

Hehehe THX. Yeah, I seem to have a good start. NO oil slinger in the rear palnetary as it states some models do. Im thinking the hardened sunshell is a good idea. Ha done in the 86 core break. But I think it was from another part failure. IDK..I didnt do the rebuild..just saw the peices. Im wondering anout the diff on the 4L65E release spring??? Is that compatable, good idea, nessesary?? I cant afford the GM 5-pinion planetaries. And Ive read the stock GM 4-pinions are as strong as the aftermarket made 5s. GM 5s is the only way to go. Right now I need the best input someone can give on clutches. I am thinking for my application 7 or 8 pack to replace the 6. 9 seems like unreliable on a 350+ HP car. Im over 400. So any advice would be grand there =) THX for the reply....anyone else too please ??