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Old 02-28-2016, 06:49 PM   #1
nascarmikeb
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which tranny to use.

Hello everyone,
I am trying to determine which tranny I should use with my mildly built 350 4 bolt.
I have an 87 GMC SWB. I currently have a 700R4 thats in good shape but has no modifications or upgrades to it. I will be using a 2800-3000 stall. I will use the truck juat for a cruiser. maybe light towing. Wasn't sure if the 700R4 would be a good option as is. Or if I should have it rebuilt and a shift kit installed. Or should I go the route of a rebuilt TH350 or TH400. Before I put the engine in, I want to make sure I have a good tranny behind it. I also have a stock rear end. I am sure at some point, I will do something with the gears, but that is another subject.

I hope I have provided adequate info.

Thoughts?

Mike
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Old 02-28-2016, 07:20 PM   #2
MikeB
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Re: which tranny to use.

By all means, use the 700R4. It has a lower first gear as well as OD and lock-up T/C. I can think of no reason to use a 3-speed in a highway cruiser.
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1969 C10 LWB -- owned for 35 years. 350/TH350, 3.08 posi, 1st Gen Vintage Air, recent AAW wiring harness, 5-lug conversion, 1985 spindles and brakes.
1982 C10 SWB -- sold
1981 C10 Silverado LWB -- sold, but wish I still had it!
1969 C10 (not the current one) that I bought in the early 1980s. Paid $1200; sold for $1500 a few years later. Just a hint at the appreciation that was coming.
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Old 02-28-2016, 07:22 PM   #3
mongocanfly
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Re: which tranny to use.

There's a lot of 700r4s out there behind performance engines..I would have it rebuilt with some upgrades and the bonus is you have the overdrive in case you want to drop down on your gear ratio..its basically a 4l60e
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Old 02-28-2016, 07:53 PM   #4
TwoFiftyShifter
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Re: which tranny to use.

In this day and age, 80mph hwy cruise being what it is, you have to go with the overdrive if you have the means.
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Old 02-28-2016, 10:29 PM   #5
GRADYS Performance
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Re: which tranny to use.

TH700R4 transmission is the best choice. Everything a TH350 will do plus Overdrive and Lockup Converter. Just remember if you tow anything to use 3rd gear only.
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Old 02-28-2016, 10:56 PM   #6
snaptoo
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Re: which tranny to use.

One question , why the higher stall speed ?
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Old 02-28-2016, 11:54 PM   #7
nascarmikeb
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Quote:
Originally Posted by snaptoo View Post
One question , why the higher stall speed ?
Like I said, it is mildly built with a comp cam, eagle crank, stock length rods nice little st engine. The guy I traded with to get the motor had a 2800 stall and it was nice
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Old 02-29-2016, 12:04 AM   #8
nascarmikeb
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Re: which tranny to use.

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Old 02-29-2016, 03:43 AM   #9
andrewmp6
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Re: which tranny to use.

When then 700r4 came out it got a bad wrap.Today it can be built up to handle anything you can throw at it.
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Old 02-29-2016, 04:57 AM   #10
Rogier
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Re: which tranny to use.

Really like the 700r4, mine broke when I started putting more power into the engine. I'm towing most of the time and that was not a great success. I think I could have kept it alive if I'd paid more attention to the cooling of the transmission.
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