700R4 Tranny

[PHOENIX]

Is the 700R4 a good tranny? I have heard both good and bad. I heard that its not very strong. What does these mean? I also heard that the 700R4's first few gears are lower than the 350TH or the 400TH.

[PHOENIX]

Im thinking of putting in a shift kit and a B&M ratchet shifter. I do like to race around. Am I going to ruin this tranny? Should I be going with something else? I mostly drive around town (go & stop -man show) but not really so much on the highway. What do you guys think?

[79 Big10]

You will get mixed opinions on the 700 tranny. I know that the early ones had a lot of failures, but GM finally got everything striaghtend out in 87 with it and they were a lot more reliable. I have had a few vehicles with 700s in them and have never had any problems. The key is to keep them cool and keep clean fluid in them. For cruising and a little bit of racing around, the tranny should be fine unless you have a 400+ HP motor under the hood, then I would stick with a TH-350 or 400.  
just my .02  

[84 silverado]

The 700r4 is a fine tranny as long as you know it's limits. It will take 400-450 horsepower generally with no problems. As far a shifters, it doesn't care what shifts it, as long as it goes......
 As far as shift kits, well, you get mixed reviews on that one. I've heard of even some seasoned tranny guys having problems doing kits on r4's. I don't know why this is but it seems as though most agree that the trans-go kit is the best for that particular tranny. I realize that goes against the norm(usually trans go is my last choice) but this is what seems to be what works. There's alot of drilling in the valve body, some new passages to make in the case...you get the picture?? Seems like alot to do but if that's what ya got.....well, you do the math. Anyway, good luck with your choice, Bill

[PHOENIX]

The more I think about it. I would rather have a 5 speed manual. Where can I get a 5 speed manual that I can install in my truck. What else will I need. I have a 4 speed manual right now (granny gear). My truck is a shortbed. Will i need a hydro clutch?

[mike]

700R4 transmission has worked quite well for me.  Make sure you run it in drive (not over drive) until you reach 40-45 mph.  Transmission cooler is very effective.  

[HurstOldsW30]

I ruined my first 700R4 because I didnt get the right brackets on my throttle linkage ( i used a holley)  for the TV cable.  If the TV doesnt get pulled out the right amount, trans doesnt develop enough pressure and it slips, destroying the clutch pack.  then the tranny fluid gets black, smells nasty and leaves alot of junk in the pan.  plus it's a pain to flush the converter, lines and cooler after you f' up your trans.  Holley makes a kit now for this

[tttttttttttt]

This tranny will not handle 350hp or more with any
kind of payload over 10 lbs. To be used in light cars
only. Big block trucks will braek the casing on this
weak tranny.I have tryed 3 and went back to the
HD 400 with a gear vender overdrive that handles
1200hp and 25000lbs of total lbs.

[bigblock73]

tttttttt(did i put enough t's in there?), check out this link...
www.700r4.com/

I know PLENTY of people who run overdrives making more than 350 HP and have had NO problems.

[84 silverado]

the 700r4 is a great tranny if you do it right. It will do anything the average street car/truck needs and never give a burp. We've used them behind some strong big and small block's and never had a problem that wasn't customer generated through pure abuse. Warrantee doesn't cover stupidity!!!!

[83chev4x4]

i have a 700r4 and the bolts stripped out from the transmission to the adapter for the tcase. i fixed it (or thought i did) but it just did it again. My cousin had the same problem on a newer truck. but i solved my problem for good, went to 4 speed manual. just though id say something

[87silverado]

What is your reasoning for running in drive and not overdrive  up until this speed?

[83CHEVY]

I do the same thing.  I run it in "3" until 45 then I shift to "D."  I like the way it shifts and slows down using engine braking.  In "D" it coasts when you let off the gas.  I don't like that, just my preference.

And that ttttt guy don't know what he is talking about.  A properly modified 700R4 will handle 450 ft/lbs all day long at the drag strip.  The TH350's need to be built to handle that much too.  All the Hi Po tranny builders (Hughes, B&M, Jet, etc.) rate their 700R4's and the TH350's exactly the same.  I prefer the 700R4 myself.  The pre '85's had some trouble though, so pick '85 or newer to build.

If you drive like an idiot (i.e. revving in "N" before dropping to "D" etc.) and have a lot of power on tap, you will probably break a 700R4 or a TH350.  If this is you, get a TH400 - they are the toughest.  For the average (sane) guy, the other two are great.

As for Dodge...  I think they have decent powertrains for the most part (especially the Cummins), but they come in a cheap Dodge wrapper.  Not for me thanks.

Just my two cents.

Mike

P.S.  My little brother runs a built 700R4 in his 450HP '72 Nova.  He hasn't had any trouble.  He is probably at more than the 450 ft/lb limit, but I think alot of it is the way you drive it.

Edited by: 83CHEVY  at: 7/15/02 10:39:20 pm

[85pumpkinhaulr]

i had a 700 in my c-10, but it quit on me.  i guess it was just its time.  i changed it to a t375 (t400 with a T350 yoke).  the only difference is in the way the truck takes off.  the 700 is geared differently, and with 2.73's out back it was pretty nice.  but with the different gearing of the t375, its a dog out of the hole.