Overdrive trannys, what have you done? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

chevy2racr · 10-01-2002, 06:09 PM

ok, just curious I have a 3.73 rear witha a TH350 and a 454 ahead of it all. I am curious to look into overdrives not knowing what would handle a 454 ok. I know some say 700r4s won't even handle a built 350 which I know is BS since I've gone and bared tires in a posi 85 Camaro with 3.73, 700R4 and a 350+ HP 350SBC. Just lookin to see what people have done and what it takes. I saw something about a 4L80E a whil back?? what did it take to get that in? costs???
Bryce

Project1970 · 10-01-2002, 06:16 PM

I have a 700R4 behind my (decidedly not built) 350...

They can be built to take the power no problem, it just takes money.

Considerably less money, IMO, than a 4L80E, though. 4L80E's are effectively TH400's + OD but they cost an arm and a leg to even get, let alone rebuild and buy the computer for.

tom hand · 10-01-2002, 06:43 PM

Early 700R4's were crap, even behind weak 305's. As the years went by the factory made many improvements. With the factory improvements and many aftermarket heavyduty parts you can build a pretty stout 700R4. I would still dought how well they would last behind a 454 in a towing situation. If you just want to save some gas a 700 built right would be fine. If you ever want to do some heavy duty towing I would step up to the plate and find a 4L80E. Any gas 3/4 ton Chevy or Sub would have one so you should start seeing more and more in the bone yards. I have one in my 2001 1500HD and it's great. I have a big trailer[8 x8 x20] that I pull at 75 in overdrive no problems. You can get aftermarket computers to make them work and even tailshafts to use a cable driven speedo. Check out this link.

http://www.autotransinc.com/eplace.htm

chevy2racr · 10-01-2002, 09:07 PM

you have a 700R4 in ur burb or a 4L60E?? I know the 4L80E would be the best, hell, I only have a TH350 in my truck now, dad has a 94 2500 GMC with 4L80E.. I wouldn't be towing an enclosed trailer, just thinkingthe tiltbedH&H trailer with a car on it. and the occational romp(I am a kid after all!) We have a wll built 700, its just in camaro right now and talkin dad into letting me yank the sucker may be a job...
bryce

68 with 350 TPI · 10-01-2002, 09:12 PM

87 up 700r4's are going to handle most anything on the street so long as you dont run slicks with it.
The most common upgrades are the vette servo and a hardend sun shell.
You can get the best 700r4 info from www.700r4.com
They sell heavy duty parts that can take pretty much anything.

A 4L80E is pretty much a 400 with overdrive and they cost a arm and a leg.
Not to mention they are HEAVY and use a use up a bit more power than a old turbo 400 would.

There is also the 200 but Im not all that fond of them.
Not saying they cant work but I can get a 700 and build it to last for less $$$.

**breeh** · 10-01-2002, 10:14 PM

I have been trying to stay out of these 700 threads because there are people that are convinced that they are not good for high output engines and I am tired of debating it. I have a 67 Camaro with a stout 427 (over 500 hp and 450 ft/lbs of torque) and have driven it hard including a full day of maximum fun driving at a road course here in Seattle. I love it. I love it so much that I am putting the same thing in my 68 4x4 short step. In both applications I am using the level III from Bowtie Overdrives ( http://www.700r4.com/trans/level3.htm ). These babies are rated at over 600 ft/lbs of torque! Anyway, I strongly endorse these transmissions. As with anything, you just have to make sure that you are matching your components. Don't expect to take a junkyard 700 and put it behind a stout motor and expect it to live. OK, I am staying out of this now

10-01-2002, 06:09 PM	#1
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	Overdrive trannys, what have you done? ok, just curious I have a 3.73 rear witha a TH350 and a 454 ahead of it all. I am curious to look into overdrives not knowing what would handle a 454 ok. I know some say 700r4s won't even handle a built 350 which I know is BS since I've gone and bared tires in a posi 85 Camaro with 3.73, 700R4 and a 350+ HP 350SBC. Just lookin to see what people have done and what it takes. I saw something about a 4L80E a whil back?? what did it take to get that in? costs??? Bryce __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

10-01-2002, 06:16 PM	#2
Project1970 14.1 @ 96MPH Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 2,811	I have a 700R4 behind my (decidedly not built) 350... They can be built to take the power no problem, it just takes money. Considerably less money, IMO, than a 4L80E, though. 4L80E's are effectively TH400's + OD but they cost an arm and a leg to even get, let alone rebuild and buy the computer for. __________________ Project1970 - LS1 Swap Complete!

10-01-2002, 06:43 PM	#3
tom hand CCRider Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Olive Branch,MS,USA Posts: 2,232	Early 700R4's were crap, even behind weak 305's. As the years went by the factory made many improvements. With the factory improvements and many aftermarket heavyduty parts you can build a pretty stout 700R4. I would still dought how well they would last behind a 454 in a towing situation. If you just want to save some gas a 700 built right would be fine. If you ever want to do some heavy duty towing I would step up to the plate and find a 4L80E. Any gas 3/4 ton Chevy or Sub would have one so you should start seeing more and more in the bone yards. I have one in my 2001 1500HD and it's great. I have a big trailer[8 x8 x20] that I pull at 75 in overdrive no problems. You can get aftermarket computers to make them work and even tailshafts to use a cable driven speedo. Check out this link. http://www.autotransinc.com/eplace.htm __________________ 72 GMC Sierra SWB almost finished---- 84 Softail Olive Branch MS

10-01-2002, 09:07 PM	#4
chevy2racr So Many Ideas, So Little Money Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Marshalltown, IA Posts: 1,610	you have a 700R4 in ur burb or a 4L60E?? I know the 4L80E would be the best, hell, I only have a TH350 in my truck now, dad has a 94 2500 GMC with 4L80E.. I wouldn't be towing an enclosed trailer, just thinkingthe tiltbedH&H trailer with a car on it. and the occational romp(I am a kid after all!) We have a wll built 700, its just in camaro right now and talkin dad into letting me yank the sucker may be a job... bryce __________________ 72 Blazer 3/4 ton running gear 4.10s NP205/TH350 350 4in lift half doors 71 C10 with 454 99 S-10 5.1L SBC 700R4 09 Malibu Marshalltown, Iowa

10-01-2002, 09:12 PM	#5
68 with 350 TPI Registered User Join Date: May 2002 Location: Wingate NC Posts: 456	87 up 700r4's are going to handle most anything on the street so long as you dont run slicks with it. The most common upgrades are the vette servo and a hardend sun shell. You can get the best 700r4 info from www.700r4.com They sell heavy duty parts that can take pretty much anything. A 4L80E is pretty much a 400 with overdrive and they cost a arm and a leg. Not to mention they are HEAVY and use a use up a bit more power than a old turbo 400 would. There is also the 200 but Im not all that fond of them. Not saying they cant work but I can get a 700 and build it to last for less $$$. __________________ Life is good with a 6-71 supercharged 355 in a 72 camaro

10-01-2002, 10:14 PM	#6
breeh Recovering 67-72 Addict Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: North Bend, WA Posts: 1,788	I have been trying to stay out of these 700 threads because there are people that are convinced that they are not good for high output engines and I am tired of debating it. I have a 67 Camaro with a stout 427 (over 500 hp and 450 ft/lbs of torque) and have driven it hard including a full day of maximum fun driving at a road course here in Seattle. I love it. I love it so much that I am putting the same thing in my 68 4x4 short step. In both applications I am using the level III from Bowtie Overdrives ( http://www.700r4.com/trans/level3.htm ). These babies are rated at over 600 ft/lbs of torque! Anyway, I strongly endorse these transmissions. As with anything, you just have to make sure that you are matching your components. Don't expect to take a junkyard 700 and put it behind a stout motor and expect it to live. OK, I am staying out of this now __________________ 68 Short Fleet 4x4; 427; BTO Level 3 700R4; NP205; Dana 60 front and rear; 4" lift with 35's; Disc brakes; AGR variable ratio steering; factory bucket seats; factory tach and tilt. "Friends call me cruzer cuz I like fast cars and fast women"



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