TH350 or a 400? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

cliffsta · 02-24-2005, 04:08 PM

So the tranny in ol red is giving up the ghost, and i figure within a short amount of time i'll be looking at a new tranny. Should i go for another 350C or should i get a Th400? Which would probably be cheaper? Easier?
I would like to note that in a couple years the 305 is gonna be history and i plan on getting a 350 or a 454 crate, so im guessing I'd need a TH400 for the power i'd be making?

67chevemall · 02-24-2005, 04:29 PM

th350's can handle the power but u would need upgrades!
Tranny's usally go from being under horse powered.
I'd ask someone if the 305/400 is a good set up?

RockHQ · 02-24-2005, 04:41 PM

Go with a 350 (or 350C if that's what you have now). It's the cheaper, easier, more consistent, remove&reinstall way to go right now. A TH350 will handle strong small blocks and mild big blocks if built with quality components (ie. don't go with the rebuilder recommending affordable chinese rebuild kits)

Later on if you go with the bigblock you'll have to pay a lot more attention to the whole drivetrain. Do you think the stock driveshaft/yoke ears, cast iron pinion yoke, small u-joints, weak 10-bolt gearset, axle shafts and any other components are up to big block torque capacity?

Or let's put it this way, if you have the money to buy a crate BB along with all the necessary accessories, you must afford another rebuilt transmission, a rebuilt+upgraded rear end, new driveshaft+yokes and so on all the way to aftermarket wheel studs for the axle shaft flanges.

AirMale · 02-24-2005, 05:30 PM

I have a hard time understanding why people don't just buy a trans that will meet their needs for any future plans. Yes, you can certainly build a t-350 to handle a stock 454 but a stock t-400 will handle 550hp. Spend the money for a t-400 and you'll never have to wonder if your going overboard with power. Plus, the t-400 is easy to hook up with an electric kick down (no carb linkage). Then if you like you can back it up with a GearVendors Overdrive when you've saved your pennies. Keep us posted

Slonaker · 02-24-2005, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AirMale

I have a hard time understanding why people don't just buy a trans that will meet their needs for any future plans.

Because he is a high school kid with no money? That's a really good reason.

Your truck is a toy that you can afford to put money into. His is basic transportation that he can barely afford to keep running. When he can afford nice stuff, he should buy nice stuff. I think he is doing good now to keep it on the road based on his description of his finances in past threads. For the moment he is probably better off going with the cheaper option.

Slonaker

AirMale · 02-24-2005, 06:13 PM

I still believe that if you spend a few bucks now you can avoid spending more later. Just my experience. He did say he's going to be upgrading his motor in a few years and in my opinion the only trans that belongs in a 4000lb.+ truck is a t-400.

SanitysBane · 02-24-2005, 07:21 PM

i agree with AirMale, if he buys or gets his 350C rebuilt and then it craps out on him from not being able to take the power, then it having it rebuilt again, or having a 400 put it in, will cost more. Don't concentrate so much on the now when planing, look 5 years down the road or more.

magnethead · 02-24-2005, 09:41 PM

I like the th400 idea- we've beet the living snot out of ours with the 454 (both being stock) hauling 7 and 8,000 pound loads cross courty and up and down the west coast even down the grapevine with no problems (and for those who don't know, a 8000 pound trailer aint easy to pull on the grapevine with some of the steep grades).

cliffsta · 02-25-2005, 05:08 PM

So basically, a TH350C would handle a basic 350 crate? NOT a performance crate, the simple GM 290 (or w/e it is)? I doubt I'd put a big block in this truck, it would require too much effort

And whatshisface up there is very correct. This is a daily driver, and even after its fixed up, it will still be a daily driver. I can barely afford keeping up with maintenace, much less going overboard

And high school blows nuts, but this very weekend I am embarking on the job hunt to end all job hunts.

Destructo · 02-25-2005, 05:54 PM

TH350 C will hold up to a 350 just fine without any trouble, its stronger than a 700r4 and i'm running a 350 with about 275HP and my 700r4 holds up just fine and dandy.

If you sticking with a mild 350 go with the th350 transmission, it will do just fine.

02-24-2005, 04:08 PM	#1
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	TH350 or a 400? So the tranny in ol red is giving up the ghost, and i figure within a short amount of time i'll be looking at a new tranny. Should i go for another 350C or should i get a Th400? Which would probably be cheaper? Easier? I would like to note that in a couple years the 305 is gonna be history and i plan on getting a 350 or a 454 crate, so im guessing I'd need a TH400 for the power i'd be making? __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord

02-24-2005, 04:29 PM	#2
67chevemall Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: NB Posts: 3,367	th350's can handle the power but u would need upgrades! Tranny's usally go from being under horse powered. I'd ask someone if the 305/400 is a good set up? __________________ 1968 Chevy C10 307 3ott fleetside 1967 Chevy C/10 V8, 3spd, fleetside lwb.Sold 1967 Chev C/10 step, 383, M21. SOLD

02-24-2005, 04:41 PM	#3
RockHQ ROCKET POWER! Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Finland, Europe Posts: 509	Go with a 350 (or 350C if that's what you have now). It's the cheaper, easier, more consistent, remove&reinstall way to go right now. A TH350 will handle strong small blocks and mild big blocks if built with quality components (ie. don't go with the rebuilder recommending affordable chinese rebuild kits) Later on if you go with the bigblock you'll have to pay a lot more attention to the whole drivetrain. Do you think the stock driveshaft/yoke ears, cast iron pinion yoke, small u-joints, weak 10-bolt gearset, axle shafts and any other components are up to big block torque capacity? Or let's put it this way, if you have the money to buy a crate BB along with all the necessary accessories, you must afford another rebuilt transmission, a rebuilt+upgraded rear end, new driveshaft+yokes and so on all the way to aftermarket wheel studs for the axle shaft flanges. __________________ What did i do last nite? I had a wonderful time, That's what they tell me What did i do last nite? 1979 C-10 shortfleet: Olds 350, Th400, 12 bolt Current project: 1969 Olds 455 W-30, needing a rebuild Last edited by RockHQ; 02-24-2005 at 04:43 PM.

02-24-2005, 05:30 PM	#4
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	I have a hard time understanding why people don't just buy a trans that will meet their needs for any future plans. Yes, you can certainly build a t-350 to handle a stock 454 but a stock t-400 will handle 550hp. Spend the money for a t-400 and you'll never have to wonder if your going overboard with power. Plus, the t-400 is easy to hook up with an electric kick down (no carb linkage). Then if you like you can back it up with a GearVendors Overdrive when you've saved your pennies. Keep us posted __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

02-24-2005, 06:13 PM	#6
AirMale Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Atlantic City, NJ Posts: 1,073	I still believe that if you spend a few bucks now you can avoid spending more later. Just my experience. He did say he's going to be upgrading his motor in a few years and in my opinion the only trans that belongs in a 4000lb.+ truck is a t-400. __________________ 86 SWB 9.0 LITER T-400-OD 4.11 eaton-4/5 drop Best 1/4 12.51 @112mph no traction

02-24-2005, 07:21 PM	#7
SanitysBane Registered User Join Date: May 2004 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,121	i agree with AirMale, if he buys or gets his 350C rebuilt and then it craps out on him from not being able to take the power, then it having it rebuilt again, or having a 400 put it in, will cost more. Don't concentrate so much on the now when planing, look 5 years down the road or more. __________________ '96 Nissan Pathfinder '02 Firebird Trans Am. '88 K5 Blazer

02-24-2005, 09:41 PM	#8
magnethead 7000 #'s of american IRON Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: north tx Posts: 883	I like the th400 idea- we've beet the living snot out of ours with the 454 (both being stock) hauling 7 and 8,000 pound loads cross courty and up and down the west coast even down the grapevine with no problems (and for those who don't know, a 8000 pound trailer aint easy to pull on the grapevine with some of the steep grades).

02-25-2005, 05:08 PM	#9
cliffsta Stepsides RULE Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Pineville, LA Posts: 1,921	So basically, a TH350C would handle a basic 350 crate? NOT a performance crate, the simple GM 290 (or w/e it is)? I doubt I'd put a big block in this truck, it would require too much effort And whatshisface up there is very correct. This is a daily driver, and even after its fixed up, it will still be a daily driver. I can barely afford keeping up with maintenace, much less going overboard And high school blows nuts, but this very weekend I am embarking on the job hunt to end all job hunts. __________________ 1981 Chevy C10 Custom Deluxe Stepside 350 V8, headers, side exhausts, 3-speed auto SOLD 1980 Chevy C10 Custum Deluxe Stepside 305 V8, Edelbrock Performer Intake, Edelbrock 1406 600CFM 4-barrel, TH350C. Bent rod. SOLD 1984 GMC Sierra Classic Longbed 6.2L Diesel SOLD 2009 Kawasaki KLX-250S too many mods for this signature 1999 Honda Accord EX 4-cylinder, 17" Motegi Wheels 215/45/17 Sumitomo tires, Tein S-Tech lowering springs, KYB GR2 shocks, Acura TL 20mm rear swaybar, debadged, blackhoused headlights, Short-Ram Intake Cardomain of the Accord Last edited by cliffsta; 02-25-2005 at 05:13 PM.

02-25-2005, 05:54 PM	#10
Destructo Registered User Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lewisville, NC Posts: 1,836	TH350 C will hold up to a 350 just fine without any trouble, its stronger than a 700r4 and i'm running a 350 with about 275HP and my 700r4 holds up just fine and dandy. If you sticking with a mild 350 go with the th350 transmission, it will do just fine. __________________ 1985 Scottsdale Shortbed 4x4 Stout 350 with some "upgrades"-700r4-33x12.5" Mud Tires, Warn 8274-50 winch. 2005 Chevrolet Colorado Regular Cab 2wd 4-banger, 5 speed, Street Pack with 3.73 axle.

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