Got an '87 Z, TPI 305. I've pulled motor, trans, and harness and dropping in a '69 355 with vortec heads, air gap, small cam and quick fuel 650cfm carb. I was having problems finding someone to build my factory 700r4. Everyone said that they won't touch it cause its not going back in a factory set up. They didnt want to be responsible if it wasn't set up right. Here's question 1. Is it really that difficult? Ive researched and what I have come up with is throttle geometry corrector, and carb tv cable. Push button, WOT, then it's adjusted? Or am I missing something. Question 2, I asked a guy about a lockup kit for it. He said just hook it up like it came out. Now correct me if in wrong, but isn't it computer controlled from the factory? I no longer have a computer so it wouldn't lockup right? Thanks for your time guys.

 

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tci-376600

 

I am aware of what a lockup kit is, but he said I didn't need one, it would just hook back up like factory...

 

Than get a scoggin Dickey tpi base, larger injectors and a tune and stick with tpi.

 

Whomever this ; "he" is , is flat out wrong . If you have removed the computer's wiring harness (ECM) then no way in Hell is your converter gonna lockup if there is no ECM signal or some type of lockout kit to signal it to do so .

 

That's what I assumed, but "he" builds transmissions for a living and I don't know **** about em. But apparently I know enough to figure out he was wrong

 

Harness was hacked up pretty bad when I got the car. Didn't feel like fooling with that rats nest.

 

Plenty of good harnesses in the classified section (cars being parted out).

 

That excuse didn't work. Yea, I just dont like TPI man. It just looks so gaudy in there. So much wire and plumbing. Not to mention its a pain to work on. Even something as simple as pulling a valve cover was difficult.

 

Then go get a turbo 350 trans and call it a day and toss the 700r4 in the trash

 

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/

Contact them. They should be able to help you. Art Carr might also be helpful.

 

Drop it off at any shop and tell them it's going back into the original car....... Done.

That's it. The first time you set the TV cable do it by hand,.... the second time ( if needed ) use a foot. By That I mean first push the button, push the 'neck to ZERO adjustment and rotate the linkage by hand - slowly and deliberately - to full throttle and let go of the button. ( Don't think you NEED to hold the button down when moving throttle to FULL - but I always push it a little ) then drive the car and feel it out. If you don't like the way it "feels" then restart at ZERO. Push the button, push the adjusting "neck" of the TV cable back IN ( to ZERO again ) and have a helper STEP ON THE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR; Then let go of the button, & drive the car again to feel it out.


Correct; No ECM = No Lock-Up. While TCC lock-up is recommended, I've put thousands and thousands of miles on ( non-ECM Carb cars running ) 700R4's without ever re-installing any TCC function at all. I've also re-installed TCC to non-computer cars. 83 700R4's were REAL prone to problems without TCC lock-up; IMO, those trannys are what caused the bad reputation regarding TCC lock-up. 84-86 were not as problematic, 87's better still and 88+ were the best 700R4s. If you want/prefer the TCC function,........ once the engine / tranny is installed and the car is back on the street you can give the car to any tranny shop along with a TCC lock-up kit on the pass seat for them to install. If they can't figure out something as simple as TCC lock-up - you don't want them working on your car !

 

I went from TPI to carb on my last car. 87 GTA. I did not hook the tcc lockup back up and it did fine never had any trouble out of it. I did not daily drive the car but took several trips 200mi or so without any trouble at all. Summit and Jegs sell a lock up kit for around 100-150 I think it it makes you feel better and it cant be too complicated.

 

Thanks John in RI for the clarification. Now I see multiple lockup kits and I was thinking the monster transmission one. It doesnt require you to drop the pan. Just screw in a pressure switch in 4th gear port and it does its thing. Anyone ever used one of them?

 

No Problem bud,..... that's what we're here for !


I've always installed used factory original Vacuum TCC lock-up set-ups myself. (all external, found in export Thirdgens and some late eighties Vans. ) The Monster TCC system sounds pretty straight forward - something I should maybe look into for future use since the factory stuff is sooooo hard to find these days !