700r4 total cost?

[DWC]

I have a question for all of you that have made the swap to a 700r4.

If you don't mind me asking what did the total swap cost? Not just the tranny but all the other stuff like TV cable, lockup switch, etc??

The local auto parts "recycler" has a 700r4 out of an 88 chevy truck for $350 with no core charge and a 90 day warranty. I think this sounds resonable compared to what bowtie overdrive quoted me last week, $2400 w/everything included. I plan on swapping it for the 350 turbo I currently have behind my 283.

Any advice is appreciated, Dave

[TimE]

A lockup switch "kit" is a little over $100, a new TV cable(oem) is around $20, the TV cable bracket could be picked up from a junkyard cheap. If you don't already have an auto in the truck you will also need the rear tranny mount- either JY(cheap) or new(@ $100). Go ahead and plan on changing the fluid, filter and pan gasket. Some people don't recommend draining the converter b/c it stirs up all of the metal shavings and sends them through the tranny. Personally, what I have done in the past, is drain it and then change the fluid 2 or 3 times(until it stays clear after driving a little while) and haven't had any problems. You could also just replace the converter for, just a guesstimate, around $150-$200. So I guess you could plan on anywhere from $600 to $1000, including your purchase price, for this swap depending on how thrifty you are and how fancy you want it to look when you're done. Hope this helps you some and I'm sure other folks will chime in too.

[Tim64]

Hey Dave,
I just did that swap myself, and you're going to love it. My truck runs around 1500 rpm @ 65 mph. As for the cost. I've got around $850.00 in it. I gave $250.00 for the tranny from a friend. Had to have my driveshaft cut and balanced, that was around $80.00. Bought the lock-up off ebay for around $70.00. Bought a used B&M shifter off ebay $120.00 (don't do that buy a new one, I wish I had). The rest came from Bowtie Overdrive. I got a crossmember from them(very cool) the speedo kit was cool too. The TV cable I got from them was too long, so I used the one that came with the tranny. I got a new flexplate from them and some other misc. stuff. I did have to buy a new starter too. I'd bet you can get by cheaper since you already have an auto.
Good Luck,
Tim

[steverino66]

I'm doing this swap in my El Camino parts hauler this weekend.
Got rebuilt 88 model 700r4 with converter for $500. - 1yr warranty
Driveshaft shortened/balanced for $60 (u-joints in good shape, almost new)
Ordered the TV Made EZ from Bowtie Overdrives because I'm a coward and don't want to take a chance on getting the setting wrong - been told by too many voices of experience that this will burn up a tranny quickly -
that's another $120 shipped with all the pieces to adapt the Holley to work properly with a universal TV cable.
With the 88-up trans you don't have to run the lock-up kit, so I'll try it without it for a while - lock-up is only good for another 200rpm at highway speed according to what I've read
I'll probably have around $750 total after fluid, torque converter bolts etc.

[Chevy Fleetside]

if you don't lock up the converter it will generate alot of heat and you can burn up the clutches. You can get a converter that will not need to be locked up but you should'nt use the one that you have to lock up. All you have to do is rig up a $5 toggle switch and turn it on when you are on the freeway.

The 700R4 will work with the th350 shifter, crossmember, and even tranny mount. If you happen to have a long tail shaft TH350 you will not have to do anything to the driveshaft.

[DWC]

This board rocks, I knew you guys could help me out.

I think I'm going to pull the trigger on this tranny. My only concern is it's from a "recycler" and not a rebuilt. They say all their trannys are checked out and will work. It comes with a 90 day guarantee and I can extend the warranty 6 months for 25% of the cost. I think I'll pass on the extended warranty, I figure if it's no good I'll find out pretty quick. Plus I'm not going to abuse it with my monster 160 h.p. 283. I just want to get thru the summer. The plan is for a crate motor this winter (hopefully) so I will have the tranny rebuilt when this happens.

I just bought an Early Classic tranny mount I have yet to install, the P.O. homemade mount needed replaced and I think this new mount it will work with the 700. Bowtie has a complete flush kit I thought might be a good investment. I've been told a shift kit might not be a bad idea. I hadn't considered replacing the converter but if this lockup issue can be eliminated that might be money well spent. How exactly does this work anyway? A buddy of mine was telling me you can modify something (can't remember) and it will lock up in 2nd gear on up. I figured on the driveshaft issue but wasn't sure about cost.

Are there any issues with this tranny bolting up to my 283 I'm not considering?

If I can do this swap in the $800-$900 range I'll be happy. The improved driveability will be worth that.

Thanks again, Dave

[greg64]

Dave, definitely go for the lockup converter. Otherwise, you'll be slipping a lot in 4th and that will build heat....

Also, when swapping from one auto to another, make sure you clean out ALL the parts, including the tranny cooler. Otherwise, you'll pump a bunch of junk into your new tranny.

If you've got a TH350 behind your 283 right now, then this swap should be pretty easy.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Also if your flywheel has the dual bolt pattern for the torque converter you should be fine with the lock up converter bolting up to it. To wire up a toggle switch to lock up the converter is easy. You need a plug from a late model harness or you can get one on e bay for a few bucks. If you go this route let me know and I can tell you which wire to use from my books. A shift kit is nice, but maybe do that when you rebuild it. I put a reprograming kit in my 4x4 but I was going to be hauling heavy loads. The 1-2 shift can chirp the tires and they are 11.5" wide. Also even if it just drops the rpm's by 200 that is 200 times a min the engine is not sucking in gas. You also don't need it to lock up in 2nd gear. Mine will with the valve body kits. It is nice to get it locked up in 3rd though. It also serves as a reminder to me if I forget to shut the switch off. When it shifts into 2nd at low speed with it locked up it feels like starting off in 3rd gear with a stick.

[Chevy Fleetside]

Check out this guys e bay store. He seems to have some good prices. $125 for a heavy duty torque converter and he has all the other up grade parts also.. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/700R4...3722QQtcZphoto There is another place it texas but I don't have the web site address in front of me.

[shortbed70]

Heres my parts total.

Trans 700.00 with upgrades (signiture)
trans mount 7.00
lines 20.00
lockup kit 70.00
tci tv angle correction bracket (40.00) unused?
Driveshaft shortened 3" 39.70
convertor 2500 165.00
oil 45.00
trans dipstick 18.00

I could have went with bowler transmissions lockup 139.00
constant pressure vb 269.00 tci
billet tv cable bracket 80.00
I would recomend a new convertor because there cheap enough and you don't have to worry about it coming apart. I went with a pressure switch for lockup so I don't have to worry about turning the lockup off to stop or on at speed.
So rufly under 1000.00 and alot of my labor also there bigger than a th 350 so if your motor is in the I6 position like mine it will be tight.

[DWC]

Thanks again fella's for all the advice.

So I bought the 700 today, I ended up going with a newer model from a 92 truck with only 89,000 miles for $350 w/90 day replacement warranty. It has the electronic speedometer though so thats something I will need to change. Do I need to change the entire tail housing or can I just purchase the 700 specific mechanical speedo parts and swap into my current tail housing? I was thinking I saw a web page showing how to do this, convert from electric to mechanical. Tim 64 is this what you did?

I haven't decided which lockup kit to go with, so many options and costs. Same with the TV cable setup. The bowtie kit looks nice but pricey. I would think GM offered a 700r with a 2 barrel carb similar to my carb. If so I might try to use the factory type setup.

While I have the tranny on the workbench any other pre-install suggestions? I was thinking at the very least change the fluid and filter. New pan gasket (Tim E suggestion) Bowtie has a flush kit but I don't know if thats a good idea or not. I don't want to stir up anything that may be better left alone.

I hope to get started on this swap this weekend, maybe I'll take some pictures of the process to post.

Thanks,
Dave

[protrash64]

Cool DWC.......I have one in my burb and like it. 2k at 65mph on the freeway. Also, if the tranny ends up being bad you will have worked out the bugs and the next one will slide right in!!!! I'm on my 3rd engine; pulled out the second in about 2 hours by myself.......