I have a 85 bird 305 carb'd. I'm gonna be doing a 350 swap in the near future. What is the recommended auto trans to mate up to it and what is needed to install it. Someone mentioned a 350 turbo instead of a 700r4, im not sure what is needed to make the change happen or if its the right choice. The 350 motor will not be stock I plan to bore it 30 over put in a street strip style cam and some better heads/intake.

 

Nothing wrong with the one you've got, as far as just it being what it is. (condition aside of course)

 

If the 700R4 blows up should I switch to a different type of trans or replace with a rebuilt 700r4? I just worry having had my last car blow a trans about a year after I got it. If i do switch to a turbo 350 trans do you have to change anything other than the trans? only ask cause I know a local place that builds the.

 

The answer is kinda contained in your other question.

Yes. You have to change the crossmember and the drive shaft; and figure out something to do with the torque arm. Then pay more at every gas pump stop. None of those things are impossible or anything, but they're not completely trivial either.

There's also no guarantee that a 350 won't "blow", you know.

Considering that the LS1 cars come with the same transmission as far as power transmission is concerned (same shafts, gears, clutches, etc. ... just, with electronic controls instead of hydraulic) and seem to hold up pretty well, there's no real reason you can't get yours to do the same.

 

Keep your 700r4, if it "blows", have it rebuilt with better parts.

If you have 500+ HP and want to go racing, put a th-400 in.

Any chevy V8 trans can be swapped in, but all of them will need parts/mods to the crossmember, torque arm, driveshaft/U joint.