Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
#1
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Posts: 609
Received 147 Likes
on
106 Posts
Car: 1991 GTA T-Top / 2014 Mustang GT
Engine: 5L TPI
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
Just picked up a 350 TPI 89' Iroc that needs a transmission. I have a line on one from an 84 305 Camaro, obviously not a TPI car. In terms of mounting and internals, are there any reasons why it won't work with my car?
#2
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
Externally they're close enough to interchange. Just make sure all the parts from torque converter on back are from the same set. When you get into the internal parts, the 84 trans won't have the aux valve body and some of the smaller parts. As a rule the later trans usually work better, not that there was anything wrong with the 700R4 in my 83 Camaro, it was just not nearly as refined as my 87 and later cars.
#3
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Posts: 609
Received 147 Likes
on
106 Posts
Car: 1991 GTA T-Top / 2014 Mustang GT
Engine: 5L TPI
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
Externally they're close enough to interchange. Just make sure all the parts from torque converter on back are from the same set. When you get into the internal parts, the 84 trans won't have the aux valve body and some of the smaller parts. As a rule the later trans usually work better, not that there was anything wrong with the 700R4 in my 83 Camaro, it was just not nearly as refined as my 87 and later cars.
#4
Supreme Member
iTrader: (7)
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Lexington, SC
Posts: 5,291
Likes: 0
Received 58 Likes
on
52 Posts
Car: 1987 SC/1985 TA
Engine: 350/vortec/fitech
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.27 9-bolt
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
if you're going to spend any money on the 84 tranny I'd wait for a '88 up one. the later ones display incremental improvements, especially the addition of the auxiliary valve body. '87 was the transition year so it may or may not have the AVB.
one from a sportier model (Z/TA/Vette) will likely come with a better calibrated governor.
when you replace the TC the sportier model TCs should be looser (who knows what you'll actually get as a replacement though). a common upgrade used to be the S10 V6 TC.
one from a sportier model (Z/TA/Vette) will likely come with a better calibrated governor.
when you replace the TC the sportier model TCs should be looser (who knows what you'll actually get as a replacement though). a common upgrade used to be the S10 V6 TC.
#5
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Posts: 609
Received 147 Likes
on
106 Posts
Car: 1991 GTA T-Top / 2014 Mustang GT
Engine: 5L TPI
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
if you're going to spend any money on the 84 tranny I'd wait for a '88 up one. the later ones display incremental improvements, especially the addition of the auxiliary valve body. '87 was the transition year so it may or may not have the AVB.
one from a sportier model (Z/TA/Vette) will likely come with a better calibrated governor.
when you replace the TC the sportier model TCs should be looser (who knows what you'll actually get as a replacement though). a common upgrade used to be the S10 V6 TC.
one from a sportier model (Z/TA/Vette) will likely come with a better calibrated governor.
when you replace the TC the sportier model TCs should be looser (who knows what you'll actually get as a replacement though). a common upgrade used to be the S10 V6 TC.
#6
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
IIRC, because it's been 20 years since I had my 83, the early 700R4 liked to hit hard when shifting from park or neutral into gear. I don't remember it constantly kicking in and out of lock-up or OD, but just in general it was a bit more clunky. The 700R4 in my 87 is better, but tends to shift harder than all my 91s. Just from behind the steering wheel, the later 700R4s seem to be a lot more civilized without giving up much if anything in the way of performance. It's hard to quantify, but you can tell the difference.
Some of the upgrades can be implemented on the earlier transmissions, but really I'd try to start with as late a 700r4 as possible.
Some of the upgrades can be implemented on the earlier transmissions, but really I'd try to start with as late a 700r4 as possible.
#7
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Posts: 609
Received 147 Likes
on
106 Posts
Car: 1991 GTA T-Top / 2014 Mustang GT
Engine: 5L TPI
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
IIRC, because it's been 20 years since I had my 83, the early 700R4 liked to hit hard when shifting from park or neutral into gear. I don't remember it constantly kicking in and out of lock-up or OD, but just in general it was a bit more clunky. The 700R4 in my 87 is better, but tends to shift harder than all my 91s. Just from behind the steering wheel, the later 700R4s seem to be a lot more civilized without giving up much if anything in the way of performance. It's hard to quantify, but you can tell the difference.
Some of the upgrades can be implemented on the earlier transmissions, but really I'd try to start with as late a 700r4 as possible.
Some of the upgrades can be implemented on the earlier transmissions, but really I'd try to start with as late a 700r4 as possible.
Trending Topics
#8
Supreme Member
iTrader: (1)
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
I recently swapped from early (originally 86, then an 83 or 84 that was "built") without the aux valve body to a 92 Z28 700R4 that was built by Ligenfelter. Can confirm it has much better manners - shifts softly into drive and reverse at idle, kicks down faster, and generally has much better manners.
GD
GD
#9
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
Without digging deep into the part catalogs and checking, I'd assume (educated guess) that there are probably minor details that would have originally been specific for optimal results, but at this point, I wouldn't lose a bit of sleep over that small a difference. You can change the governor, or the boost valve, servo, tv valve, blah blah. The differences between the calibration and internal parts will be a lot bigger for something like comparing a 4.3 Asstro Van 700R4 to one from any thirdgen. Once one has been rebuilt, who knows what parts from what 90* GM engine donor may have carried over or been exchanged with whatever random part from the spares bin. Ya know what I mean? A rebuilder doesn't necessarily care if a core was from a Corvette or a 4.3L asstro van.
#10
Supreme Member
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
Early '84 700s were 27 spline converter,mid '84 and up 30 spline.I have 8-84 build 700 in my car and it has been very good.
#12
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Posts: 609
Received 147 Likes
on
106 Posts
Car: 1991 GTA T-Top / 2014 Mustang GT
Engine: 5L TPI
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
Scored a 700R4 from an 89 350 GTA with nice km, so I think we're all good. Now I'm just trying to get the car to run
#13
Supreme Member
iTrader: (58)
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
Hahaha You've just made the CLASSIC car project mistake! You've acquired a part you weren't ready for yet! *Maniacal Evil Mastermind Laugh*... Oooh! I think UPS just dropped off the upholstery for my Project Firebird that's not even in primer yet!
#14
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Oakville, Ontario
Posts: 609
Received 147 Likes
on
106 Posts
Car: 1991 GTA T-Top / 2014 Mustang GT
Engine: 5L TPI
Transmission: WCT5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Re: Same 700R4 between 1984 and 1989?
Hey now it's better than getting that bumping stereo system in a car with no motor At least I got it running today, so I can sorta justify the stockpile of parts I've been collecting
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
327_TPI_77_Maro
TPI
13
05-22-2005 04:42 PM
bes217
Transmissions and Drivetrain
3
02-19-2003 07:49 PM
Kj Rockz
Transmissions and Drivetrain
1
07-19-2002 03:28 AM