Need some options

[STPrider]

Hey guys, my truck is my summer daily driver, but it sucks on the highway. I'm starting to look at overdrive units, and trans swaps etc, and just looking for some opinions on what the cheapest/best options are. Was looking at gear vendors, and they seem a little out of my price range. I'm thinking of a 4l60e swap, but is that just going to turn out too expensive also? I have a 350 bored and cammed, with a th350. Any ideas welcome! Thanks

[Wrenchbender Ret]

Being you have an auto trans. in it already a 700R4 auto o-drive will be your best bet. It requires minimum modifications. I have one in my 70 & it runs great. What rear end ratio are you running. If it has a low ratio like 3:90 or 3:73 you might just change to a 3:08.

[GASoline71]

The 4L60E is an Electronically controlled/shifted transmission. So like mentioned above... a 700R4 would be the easies swap.

Gary

[Critter]

Even easier than the 700r4 is the 200-4r. They basically swap right into the same spot at a th350 without moving cross members or getting a new driveshaft. The downfall is they aren't as plentiful which makes them a little more expensive than a 7004r. There's some money/easiness trade-off to consider.

[GASoline71]

And the only really "good" 200-4R's are the ones that came in the G-bodies. So the pickin's get pretty slim for a good one.

However... if money is no object... the 200-4R can be built to handle rediculous amounts of HP and TQ, and still have OD.

Gary

[STPrider]

Thanks for the replies! How expensive are the 700r4's to build up if I add a bunch of power? And would it hook right up to the existing column shift linkage?

[kaycee]

Yes your linkage will work,I just got a mild built stage 1 for $700he was easy on me so I would say u better look to spend around a grand for a stage 1.

[Ryan Hubbard]

I just did a 4l80E swap in my truck. I went with 4l80E because I have a blown 350 but I did the whole thing for $1250.00. Granted I bought a trans off Craig's List but I went through it and everything was fine. But I got the trans and convertor for $500.00, the controller for $550.00 (TCI unit) and the drive shaft modified for $200.

But a 700R4 would be good for you because you don't need the controller. But you can get 4L60Es all day long on Craig's List for under $500.00. Just have to be willing to move right away on them when they show up.

[STPrider]

K, so like I said I'm weighing my options, right now I'm leaning towards the 700r4, everything is a little more rare and can be a LOT more expensive here in Canada, but I've found a few on craigslist that I like! Thanks for all of your help!

[storm9c1]

Careful on Craigslist. Buying a used trans is a big risk unless you can test drive it. Even then, you could be running on 20% clutches and not know it until 1000 miles later it quits. The best bet is to buy a cheaper one that you can see run, assume the trans is dead and rebuild it immediately. Then you have a clean slate to start with.

[Ryan Hubbard]

Originally Posted by storm9c1

Careful on Craigslist. Buying a used trans is a big risk unless you can test drive it. Even then, you could be running on 20% clutches and not know it until 1000 miles later it quits. The best bet is to buy a cheaper one that you can see run, assume the trans is dead and rebuild it immediately. Then you have a clean slate to start with.

I was careful, the kid I bought the trans from had the receipt for the rebuild and the torque converter was dry as a bone. But when I got to my shop I pulled the pan and took a look inside and saw that everything was nice and clean and looked new. The only thing I need to replace was the wiring harness to the new style.

[Ziegelsteinfaust]

If you want to run a loose converter the 4L60 or 4L80 do better with them.

Like the guys above said the T200R4 is damn near as drop in as they get. Look up coast performance transmission. It is Art Carrs new company.