700R4

[bobcooter]

I have seen some adds on Craig's List for 4.3 litre V6s with 700R4s still attached for good prices. Both came out of S-10s. My question is: Will this 700R4 bolt up to my 79 350ci and will it handle the wear and tear of motovating a 3/4 longbed truck. I don't drive it hard but I like to romp on it once and a while. Also, if I planned to pull a camper would it hold up? I have 373 gears in the rearend and the overdrive would really help out in terms of wear and tear on my engine and help my MPG some.

[Layne]

Depends on the year trans. 86 and newer has better updates. You should be okay with a 700r4. Is your motor stock?

[Da67goatman]

I would not recomend one from a v6, mine only lasted 4 months after i bought it and my 350 was bone stock with 257,00 miles on it.  I've been told the V6 trans have less clutches than v8 700s.  Therefore they wear out much faster especially when used for towing or racing.

[Irish_Alley]

there should be no difference between a 4.3 and 350 700r4 the only difference is if its a 4x4 or 4x2 the 4x4 will have a k stamped on the right side of the bell housing its about 4 inches or so pretty easy to see also you should see a transfer case attached lol but if they took it off the k shows its from a 4x4 which has a stronger bell housing than the 4x2 version. they are Strong and since they don't need a ecm to tell them when to shift they are used buy allot of off roaders

[bobcooter]

My 350 is not stock. It has a Summit Stage 1 intake, flat top pistons, 882 heads, headers and glass packs and a K&N air Filter. My main concern was if they built the 700R4s a little less stout for thr 4.3s or if there was any difference. Most of the 700R4s down here for sale lately are all hooked to 4.3s.
 I'd really hate to spend all that time and money (and sweat!) on one only to wipe it out in a few months pulling a 3/4 ton truck. Plus, it's my daily driver so I need reliability.

[Irish_Alley]

with anything used you don't know what its past life was like it may have 200k plus with out a fluid change besides that they are the same now if it was a trans only offered for 4.3 then i wouldn't go with it but if they put it on a 350 then i would trust it

[bobcooter]

That's what I was wondering. I know buying used stuff,especially an automatic transmission is rolling the dice. What years are best for the 700r4? I don't want the electric version. But I think I will wait for one from a V8.

[Irish_Alley]

it might be more abused if its from a 350

[Da67goatman]

First id like to mention that mine has the big K on the bellhousing but has the 2wd tailhousing.  i still accidentally broke off a mounting hole and had to have it welded back on.  Lucky for me i only paid $50 for it, too bad i had to have it rebuilt within 6 months of purchase.  I believe that the K is stronger because the trans is physically heavier than the one i pulled out without the K.  I don't see how the K automatically makes the trans a 4x4.  Mine came from a 1995 chevy 2wd half ton with 4.3 V6 so obviously it was swapped in its past, but why would someone go  through all that work to but in a 4x4 heavy duty trans behind a V6?

I would recomend a 700r4 from 88-92, but watch for the newer ones to have electric speedos.  you could also look into a 2004r, they're practically the same other than 700s have the lower 1st gear and from the factory 200s are a little stronger.

Also 700s were never ecm controlled, they were renamed 4l60e when they went electronic.

[SUX2BU99]

What 1st gear did the 200R4 have? Because they have a lower number, pshycologically you think they are a more inferior transmission   lol   They put them, and not the 700R4, behind Grand Nationals though. Wonder if they are smaller physically? What trans did the Sy/Ty trucks have in them?

[bobcooter]

I was just reading that some of the 80s model chevys had the 200R4. I am getting more confused. I always thought the lower the number, the less strong it is. Like a TH-350 and TH-400.

[Da67goatman]

As with all rules there are exceptions, usually the higher the number, the stronger the trans.  However with the 200r4, they used the thm200(c)  as a base and improved upon it as well as incorporating an overdrive gear.  the comparison is similar to the 700r4 and 4l60e  they use one as a base and improve upon it.  True the 200r4 was put behind grand nationals as well as caprices, olds custom cruiser and caddy brougham.  the police caprices had the same built version as the grand national.  200r4 also have a multicase bellhousing so it can mate with any gm engine; BOP, caddy and chevy.  they are also lighter and overall shorter than 700r4s, the only reason i didn't use one in place of the turbo 400 was they never came with electric speedos as they were discontinued in 1990.  first gear ratios are 3.06 for the 700r4 and 2.74 for the 200r4. also the 200r4 overdrive is 3% more overdriven than 700r4

[VileZambonie]

It's a 200-4R not 200R4

[bobcooter]

I found an 1988 model and the guy wants $150.00 for it. He said it's been sitting up for about 4 years. Is this a bad deal? I mean, I really want some reliablity but can't spend big bucks right now... If I buy it are there any tips yall can give me before I drive it for the first time?

[VileZambonie]

Check the fluid level and set the TV cable