besy tranny for 350?

[lpapa15]

Can someone tell me what transmission I should convert to for my 1979 chevy 350 4x4?  I want to go automatic.  Right now it is a manual 3 speed.   

[beastie_3]

350, 400, or 700r4

[Irish_Alley]

whats your plans ? mud, lift or just street

[lpapa15]

4 inch lift, street, and a little off road. 

[78 Chevyrado]

4 inch lift, street, and a little off road.  

400 is strongest, but non-OD and has a (2.48) 1st gear ratio.

350 is just a light duty 3 speed, but doesn't sap as much engine power as a 400 does and has a (2.52) 1st gear ratio.

700R4 is OD, and has a lower 1st gear (3.06)-(better torque multiplication) saps less power then a 400, but for it to be strong enough, no STOCK version will do for what you want.  have a mildly built one made for you and it'll work well.  they're not much more expensive than a stock rebuild.

Though any of them can be built plenty strong, I'd probably go with a 350 or 700.  depends on if you want or need OD.  I like OD myself.

[eventhorizon66]

No brainer.  A properly rebuilt 700R4 with Transgo reprogram kit.

[Irish_Alley]

iv always heard that bigger tires will kill an od trans fast so maybe with the mods done to it it could i guess hold up

[Captkaos]

700R4

[VileZambonie]

4L80E best option, 4L60 (700R4) second best option, 400 (3L80) thrid best option

[frickenbored]

700R4's are garbage, I had one bolted to a 305 and that thing exploded.  Get a th350.  Personally I went with a built th400 but they do take a lot of power up.

[TexasRed]

who built your 700r4? What do you mean exploded? Was it setup properly? I agree, a poorly built, improperly setup 700r4 is a time bomb, but they can take many a mile in a lot of vehicles.

[beastie_3]

Stock, early 700r4 are weaker than later years. But they can be built tough, especially for your application. What is your price range?