I have a '84 TA. It's got a L98 350 in it from a '92 TA. This swap is now about 5 years old, and I've been being careful with the old 150,000mi '84 transmission. I know it's a 27 spline weakling.

Shortly after the swap, the shift between 2nd and 3rd would lag to engage under what I would call "more than gentle throttle". Basically, the RPM would jump about 500-1000rpm before 3rd gear engaged. If I accelerated slowly, the shift would go just fine.

Now, from a stop, the shift from 1st to 2nd doesn't engage until almost 2500rpm. When it does engage, it lurches forward. This is under normal acceleration. In fact, after the shift, the car feels almost like it's in 3rd gear instead of 2nd.

I got it home and checked the tranny fluid. It was low. I topped it off, let it idle for a bit, then tried it again. Same thing happened.

My question is, what might be causing this?

If it is something fairly major (bad clutch plates, bad valve, etc...) I know that this tired 27 spline workhorse should just be taken out to pasture and shot rather than be rebuilt.

I've been planning on buying a 700R4 for a '89 to '92 TA because I know they are 30 spline, and can handle the motor without a problem.

My second question is, would a post '89 700R4 be a direct drop in to the '84 car? I believe it is, but I don't want to go on and buy the new transmission and find out later that it won't fit.

Thank you all for any help.

 

I swap the old 700r4 in my 84 T/A with one from a 90 formula and have had no issues with it. Having a 700r4 rebuilt is only $150 less than getting a new one from TCI or B&M so use the old tranny as a doorstop or sell it for scap.

 

that's pretty much what I expected. I seen a pretty good "rebuilt better than new" 700R4 at http://racetransmissions.com/store/p...products_id/31 for only $855, no core charge, free shipping to a fedx drop point, and $175 for a torque converter. I think I'll go there.

thanks again