Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

700-R4 rebuild, or replace?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 23, 2002 | 12:45 AM
  #1  
84Camaro305's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
700-R4 rebuild, or replace?

I'm debating whether to get my 700-R4 rebuilt, or to just get a new transmission. I have about $600 to $900 to do this with, and I'm not sure which would be the better way to go. Any suggestions? If rebuilding would be a better idea, what parts should I get it rebuilt with? If buying a new transmission (used, rebuilt..whatever) is better, what type? I'm getting this done within the next week or two, and I really don't want to screw up. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2002 | 03:54 AM
  #2  
transfixleo's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
From: Webster, N.Y.
Don't take this wrong but keep saving. Unless some tranny guy owes you a big favor, you will not get a proper build done for that price range. You are barely covering the cost of parts, not to mention labor and then warranty.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2002 | 08:06 AM
  #3  
84Camaro305's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
I'm needing to get this car on the road again a.s.a.p. The problem that it's having is that third gear slips badly. I can go fine in first and second, but when it kicks into third, the rpms will just shoot up when I hit the gas. If I keep the gas on a little, the car will go slowly, but not much at all. Any idea what the problem is? Maybe I can rebuild or replace this piece of crap transmission later.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2002 | 09:37 AM
  #4  
84Camaro305's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
My friend suggests that I get a TH350 or TH400 instead of just keeping my 700R4 and rebuilding it, or getting another 700R4. What are the good and bad things about these transmissions, and which would be the better way to go?
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2002 | 01:56 PM
  #5  
transfixleo's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
From: Webster, N.Y.
You toasted the 3-4's but that is not uncommon. As far as the 350/400's, of course they are godd trannies, in fact for many years the 400 was my favorite but it is hard to beat having O/D and L/U. Along with the right rear gears and a good engine it really is the best of both worlds. The 700 is a fine tranny once setup properly. The problem is that to do anything right, one time costs money.
Reply
Old Jan 23, 2002 | 04:31 PM
  #6  
84Camaro305's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
I found a rebuilt TH350 on Summit for $691.95. Here are the specs: 4.3L-502 TH350, non-lockup, 6 in. tailshaft, Street Fighter, automatic transmission. What's odd is that the 700R4 on the site is more expensive. Maybe not so odd to someone who knows something about transmission (unlike myself), but it is to me. Would I be better off buying that TH350? Rebuilding my 700R4? Just assume that I have the money...I can get it if I really want it. Please consider cheaper alternatives as well, not just the expensive ones.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2002 | 12:38 AM
  #7  
84Camaro305's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Anyone have any idea on the summit prices I found?
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2002 | 02:51 AM
  #8  
1989GTA350's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 53
Likes: 0
From: Ft Lauderdale, Fl, U.S.A.
Car: '89 GTA
Engine: 427 BBC
Transmission: TH-350
I had the same prob. I lost 3rd and 4th and needed to get the car running that weekend. I ended up buying a junkyard 700r4 for $250 It seemed like a deal and it was cause it got the car running. But i lost 2nd gear in it 4 months later.rolleyes: i wasn't about to throw away another $250 so i garaged the car and swapped it over to a 6 speed manual. Its a blast to drive D but it was very pricy (bought new T-56). anyway in all i would sugest that if you really need the car. swap in a junkyard Tranny and start to rebuild your blown one, or it might give you some time to save for stronger race built replacment. either way its a toss up. i got $100 core for my blown 700r4 at a local tranny shop. If you go with the 6 speed swap let me know and i can give ya the details. BTW it bolts right in:
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2002 | 09:10 AM
  #9  
84Camaro305's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
I was looking around and found a transmission rebuild kit from B&M. I'm not sure how good this kit is, but any knowledge on it would help. The kit is the '82-'86 TH-700R4 (4L60) Super Transkit, B&M product number 70230. This seems a lot cheaper than buying a new transmission or getting mine rebuilt by a shop. It would also give me some experience. So, is this kit worth it? What kinds of tools would I need to install this kit?
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2002 | 02:54 PM
  #10  
84Camaro305's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
If anyone knows of any other kits that are good, please let me know about them as well.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2002 | 03:09 PM
  #11  
transfixleo's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
From: Webster, N.Y.
Stay away from B&M. et the TransGo Reprogramming Kit and a quality O/H kit, such as TransTec. I would just call Pro-Built to get these parts.
Reply
Old Jan 24, 2002 | 03:23 PM
  #12  
84Camaro305's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 160
Likes: 0
From: Denton, Texas
Car: 1989 Pontiac Firebird
Engine: 305 TBI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.23
Where can I find more information on the TransGo and TransTec kits?
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2002 | 02:46 AM
  #13  
transfixleo's Avatar
Supreme Member
 
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
From: Webster, N.Y.
What do you want to know? TransGo invented Shift Kits and TransTec is the highest quality OEM supplier in the world. Any other questions?
Reply
Old Jan 26, 2002 | 02:47 PM
  #14  
Yvonne's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
700R4: Should I Stay Or Should I Go?

You know what I will say by now... UPGRADE. I agree with comments on this thread.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
hectre13
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
2
Dec 11, 2023 08:14 AM
BumpaD82
Members Firebirds
31
Apr 4, 2019 10:36 AM
86White_T/A305
LTX and LSX
0
Aug 17, 2015 12:16 AM
djmarch
DFI and ECM
1
Aug 10, 2015 08:42 AM
hokis
Transmissions and Drivetrain
9
Aug 9, 2015 03:57 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 11:35 AM.