SO HERE'S THE PLAN.....

[TxFiddler]

About a week ago, I posted "would not start".  A bunch of suggestions were given and the end result is that the old, 2-piece rear main 2-bolt has gone to a better place!  So, Here's the plan.
GM Performance ZZ4 Turnkey.  This is my daily driver and I plan on keeping it for a long time.  Is anyone familiar with this engine? Any feedback?  Also,
would now be as good a time as any to do a 700R4 swap or should I just keep the TH350?  My daily commute is about 30 miles roundtrip.  As always, any suggestions or comments are GREATLY appreciated.

[Layne]

700 ftw!!!

[TexasRed]

Depending on your rear end ratio, prolly keep the th350 if it's still good.

A 2 piece rear main seal, 2-bolt main isn't bad.

[VileZambonie]

Hey if a two piece rear main leaks you don't have to pull the trans. Nothing wrong with them just need to know how to install them right. As far as crate engines go I'm no help there, I build all of my engines. The 700R4 is a good affordable trans that can be easily beefed up. What size tires do you run and what rear end do you have? This is a 2wd?

[TxFiddler]

Hey y'all, yes it's a 2wd and the rear end is 2.73.  I know that will have to be changed before the new motor goes in.  I don't hate my old motor.  It is the stock motor and has never been rebuilt.  I have done the rear main and it ain't that bad of a job.  I have some bent rods and cam issues on the 30 year old heart.  Been a good one.  I just am looking to freshen things up a bit.  everyone on here is great.  Keep up the good insight.  I might stick with the TH350...not sure.  I do auto financing at a Chevy dealer down here in Texas.  Our trans guy is awesome.  So I will get with him to do that work, whatever it may be.  I will definitely post pics as the transformation takes place.

[TexasRed]

Does your trans guy do rearend swaps on the side?

Do you want this to be a high performance 350 or just a nice cruiser that gets good gas mileage and is nice when towing your boat to conroe? You can rebuild the 350. Get some nice heads, bring up the compression to 9:1, maybe an RV cam and it'll get you nice torque down low. Won't be as much power as some of the crates, but it'll prolly get you better gas mileage too.

[Lt.Del]

with a 2.73 rear, you won't need the overdrive of a 700 trans.  However, get a 700 trans and lower the rear axle to say, around a 3.50 or 3.73 and you'll have a nice machine.

I agree w/ TexasRed, I love my RV cam--takes advantage of lower rpms.

[VileZambonie]

I would suggest the 700R4 and a 3.73:1 posi. What tire size?

[cvbear]

We have a ZZ4 in our '84 Silverado SWB.  It has been in about 6 months and I have no problems with it so far.  It does require premium fuel to run right for us.  Our rear end is 3.08 and a bigger gear would give it more off the line.  We have TH350 but I would like a 700R4. 

[TxFiddler]

Vile, the tire size is P235/75r/15....I might go a little wider in the rear but not sure.