quick question...as some of you know i'm going through the long process of trying to figure out what engine/tranny to swap into my car. my question is whether or not you think a professionaly rebuilt transmission would be a good investment, or if i should shell out the extra cash for a new one. i know that money adds up QUICK with transmission problems, and even though rebuilt tranny's have warranty's, i don't want to go through the hassle of it all. also, i haven't looked up too much info. on transmissions, so i don't know if they're listed by the hp/torque they can handle or not, but i'll prob. have around 300hp, 350 lbs/torque, so any recommendations on what brand or type i should get? thanks

 

I understand... Except that I have a 5-speed... I suggest a Rebuilt one with warranty... if you are going to use the corvette tranny or any other from a V-8 chevy .. 350 turbo.. 700R4 ( which I would suggest for the overdrive) It'll DEFINITELY hold the HP.. if you go over about 450.. I'd worry about a racing tranny... May I suggest , however, you replace the torque arm/ torque arm mount .. for extra stability and longevity of a new tranny.. (it's just for better support, and less torquing)

GOOD LUCK('')

 

around how much would a torque arm and torque arm mount cost? i'll be stretching it pretty thin already trying to get the engine and tranny with the money i have, so if it's too much i might have and keep my stock one for a little while. 700R4...isn't that what came on our cars?...or maybe it came on the v-8's, i dunno, i've heard 700R4's referenced w/ 3rd gens alot though

 

I BELIEVE that a 700R4 CAME on your car (don't know for sure)... Mine was 5-speed originally what's the matter with the tranny IN YOUR CAR ?... If the tranny IN YOUR car works well... I'd just use that with the new engine (it'll work with a V-8 even a BIG BLOCK)... save some money... Just change the filter/get it serviced before you add extra power... BUT it'll work FINE ... check your VIN #... you should be able to decode it and figure out the original tranny..
On a second note... a torque strut mount.. is the part that bolts from the back/side of the tranny and goes to the rear end.. It helps reduce rear wheel hop/ increase traction and handling/ and support more power.. they are about $175-250 NEW.. the mount SHOULD come with it .. otherwise it's about $10.. The stock one will work .. especially if you are on a budget.. Trust me ... I AM

 

the tranny in my car is fine but i don't think it'll be able to handle the extra power. i mean my car now puts out 140hp, 185lbs/torque, but after the swap it'll have roughly 300hp, 350lbs/torque. i've always thought that with a power increase of that much, i'd have to upgrade from the v-6 tranny. if i don't have to, that's awesome, but i've always thought i had to. also, my tranny now is a little rough. when i'm driving at 40 mph at low rpm's, just coasting mainly, then i push the gas a little, it jerks when it shifts up. when i am accelerating fast it's fine, it's just when i'm in D around 40 mph and hit the gas lightly. I don't know if this is that bad, but it could be signs of problems down the road (plus my tranny has 118K on it, so it's in need of SOMETHING soon, either a rebuild or a new one).

If the v-6 tranny can handle the extra power though it'd be great, cause i could spend a little more on a better engine and could get a tranny whenever i got more money. it will be a stretch if i have to buy the engine/tranny at the same time.

 

What are you swapping in? You DO know that the V6 tranny will NOT link to a V8 right? Different bolt pattern on the bellhousing if I remember correctly. I also doubt that the tranny will link to one of the 90 degree V6's (aka 3.8), but it might. If you're swapping a V8, you'll need the V8 tranny. Your car has the 700-R4 tranny, but the V6 version. No differences that I'm aware of besides the bellhousing, although I've HEARD the V8 tranny comes with extra clutch packs...not sure if that's true or not. A properly rebuilt 700-R4 will handle some pretty good power...it's just a matter of it being built with the right components and shift kit. I'd go that route though...the overdrive will save you a LOT of gas. Just make SURE you get a tranny cooler with your new one. 700-R4's run abnormally hot by a flaw in design, so if you want it to last past 70,000, put a cooler on it. They're cheap..like $50....best investment you'll ever make.

About your tranny problems.... When you do this around 40, is the car in Overdrive already? The Torque Converter Clutch solenoid is designed to activate the clutch at cruising throttle around or a little past 40 mph. When you get on the gas, it disengages the converter from a solid lock back to the fluidic lock that it operates in most of the time to protect from damage. The converters, by design, lock and unlock kinda hard..they really let ya know. Feels like a 5th gear almost. I'd put my money that your converter clutch is getting funny on ya.

 

the trannys that come in our V6's will not bolt onto any 90* engine. The bolt pattern is different.

 

yeah i thought my tranny wouldn't hook up w/ a v-8 engine....guess i'll just get 'em both at the same time, or buy the engine and get a tranny from a junk yard to hold me over for a while. ugh, so much money..

 

the best tranny would be a TH400 or a TH350

 

I'll be the bad one.
DUMP YOUR V-6 RIDE
Who said that changing to a V-8 swap is gonna be cheap as IT AIN'T!
Dump your great looking V-6 ride & go find a V-8 powered ride to work forward from.
Imagine buying all the parts ya need for a V-8 swap, in a V-8 powered third gen ride?
What a concept.
Serious.
Your ride is a beauty!
Why destroy it with a butchered V-8 swap when you are already saying your money is tight?
IF ya want more power from a great looking car (which you already own!) swap in a 3.4 V-6 from a 1993-1995 4th Gen F body!
I'm not truly trying to be mean.
You seem to have not a true clue what you're up against. AND THAT IS NOT MEAN TO YOU but reality!
Your ride is a beauty! Keep it proper. Go find a V-8 powered third gen for cheap & then have at it with a V-8 swap. Keep your V-6 ride for the parts chasing. THEN you'll have the best of both worlds, a toy & a daily driver.
ANY WRECKING YARD THAT SELLS YA "Oh that'll swap in so easy"
IS ONLY OUT FOR TAKING YOUR MONEY FROM YOU & NOT CARING ABOUT THE PROBLEMS YOU'LL FACE.
Again, I'm not being mean, just throwing this at ya to make sense & saving your great looking ride from being destroyed.
Go find a V-8 beater to restore for cheaper & easier than this V-6 to V-8 swap which you haven't fully thought out.
IF ya have thought it out, you're misinformed.
FIRST CLUE is asking if a V-6 tranny works for a V-8 swap!
RESEARCH
FIND A BETTER SOLUTION FOR YOUR DESIRED V-8 POWERED RIDE.
And a V-8 3rd gen for cheap is the correct answer.

AND UNLESS YA WANT A GAS GUZZLER ANCIENT DINOSAUR RIDE THAT IS ALL STRAIGHT LINE, install a 700R4 tranny. That 700R4 tranny is as inexpensive as a TH350 or TH400 these days.
IF ya going for pure straight line rides, my response is incorrect.
Except, then sell this beauty of a V-6 ride! & find a V-8 beater to restore to the street.

Really your ride is a beauty don't destroy it or hack it up cause it lacks power.
I love the 3.4 power I've installed. It's a real treat for many road missions.
Enjoy your decision but don't destroy your current ride!
I wish my 3rd gen looked that great!