irocnroll89

iTrader: (4)

i am looking for some direction with my 7r4. Right now it is stock , with new fluid and filter at 100k. The car is new to me so it history is none, shy of the rest of the car being stock. I don't know how to chk if it needs a rebuild. It drives fine other than sloppy 2-3 , and 3-4 shifts when racing. now my questions...
1. should i rebuild it?
2. i am going to at least put the transgo kit(stage 2) in, what else? Basically i mean , what will it take to firm the shifts, rid of the 4th / 3rd gear downshift at 75% throttle, (servos, boost valves, valve bodies......)
3.The car is going to be a weekend racer/street car, do i need a better T/C , if so what stall brand????
I am an aircraft mechanic by trade , auto grease monkey by hobby so i can get around , but is , a tranny rebuild technically to deep??? i have some patience , and all winter if need be.

All this is in leiu of letting aamco get a hold of it for 2500-3000 dollars, and me never having a cent for the rest of the car thnx to all, i await replies

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'89 SHAGGY IROC
L98 7r4, all free stuff,T.E.S.,HOOKER CAT BACK,KYB,ACCEL8.8,JET fan sw. etc.
so much to do , so little money

[This message has been edited by irocnroll89 (edited November 20, 2000).]

CHCKLS

Only thing I can tell you is to DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT LETTING AAMCO TOUCH YOUR CAR!! Bunch of wanna-be tranny repair men.

TomP

There's a book, made by the Haynes company, that covers rebuilding the TH-200/350/400/700r4 transmissions. The book is great, you get picture-by-picture shots of every step! He also tells you which tools you need to buy, and which ones you can build, and which ones you don't "really" need.

I think it's called "Overhauling GM Transmissions", and it ran me $15. If this 700r4 dies on me for the third time, I'll rebuild the damn thing myself.

Oh if you're also interested, and don't want to buy the GM/Helms service guide for your car, you can pick up an ATSG (Auto Trans Serv Group) 700r4 manual for $15. It's basically the whole section of the Helms manual that deals with the 700r4. What's cool is at the end, they give the TSB updates that tell you how to cure the problems GM found with that year's design.

Haynes: http://www.haynes.com/
ATSG books: http://transbuilder.com/store_atsg.html (I bought it from http://www.naparts.com )
Helms: http://www.helminc.com/

Oh- from reading the GM/Helms and ATSG books, a rebuild is impossible. From reading the Haynes book, everything in the other two makes sense, and rebuilding the 700r4 seems very possible. It also doesn't seem out of the range of an experienced mech. It's not so much technical, but making sure everything goes in the right way. There's also some measuring of clearances, but it's not rocket science, and no machine shop is necessary.


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-Tom P (Hot rodded 1986 Firebird 2.8l) from http://www.f-body.net/mailbag/3rd/3rd_mailbag.html message boards
---Think your car could be pic of the week? Visit http://www.f-body.net for details!

82z

1. probably not 2.the kit will do a great job at firming up the shifts. I recomend using the accumulator spacers included they will make the shifts pretty abrupt though. To get rid of the 4-3 downshift you need a new 3-4 shift valve(I think that's the one). They are made by slp and other suppliers. 3. a tranny rebuild isn't hard just make sure the parts are installed correctly and get a good manual. Remember, don't psyche yourself out it's just a transmission. Anyway a convertor with about 2000-2300 stall and lockup would be good for you.

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82 z28 350cid, vortec heads, comp 262h cam, Holley 600cfm carb, 2in twice pipes, MSD ignition, turbo 350 trans, 3.73 posi, manly b&m megashifter

Pro Built Automatics

I carry everything that is needed for a rebuild or just the parts you are looking for. If you are looking for a Hi-Performance transmission & torque converter I can help you. Call me if you have any questions and I will do my best to answer them.
Glad Too Help!!!

Pro Built Automatics

My phone number is 800 7763288 Mon-Sat 10-6 PST.

quartermileguy

1. don't fix it unless it's broke. (wonder if you've heard that before??)
2. big fan of shift kits
3. the book mentioned earlier --- AMAZING!!!
that's how i did my first tranny, my only suggestion is to make photocopies of the pages you need and work from that so you don't screw up your book....
it wasn't that hard to do....remember if someone else can do it you can.....
you will need some special tools so either befriend a tranny guy, make your own, or be prepared to shell out some serious loot for 1 time tools