Technical Transmission question for a 350 engine?

QUESTION: What did you use a TH350 or a 700r4?

 

If you intend to actually drive that sbc 350, I would not even consider a non OD trans. TH350 great in 1970, not the best choice in 2020.

Phil

 

yup, used to be that a 350 engine could run all day at 3200 rpm, but now they will only last if you keep it down to below 2400.

 

350/350 was popular and cheap. Many rodders then put high (low numerical 3:00/1) gears in their vehicles so they could actually drive them on a highway without going deaf or blowing up their engine. Put your everyday driver in 3rd gear and drive it about 10 miles on the xway, then put it back in overdrive and drive it back home.
Today, an overdrive is about as cheap to buy as a comparably built 350 turbo and can be built to handle elevated HP very easily. Personally I always felt that what transmission you chose was THE most important decision you make when building a hot rod. If you want to enjoy driving it, go with an overdrive transmission. The second most important choice is buying your trans from a quality source.

 

And consider the 200-4R also. And pick the right rear gear ratio, to work with your tire size.

Sent from my Trimline

 

TH2004R.
If you're gonna go OD AT the 2004R is the only way.
Better gear ratios, less likely of some major component ass-ploding while cruising, it will actually stay in OD with a little pedal, and it will upshift into 4th under WOT, unlike the 700.
Leave the 700 for the 4WD trucks.

 

200-4R..... smaller, can stand a Turbo v6 Buick Grand National...

 

OD is the way to go these days I think. Drove her 55 for 80K miles with a pg and 327-would run right along all day but was spinning about 3000-it now has a 700R4 with a 3.70 12 bolt posi.-much less R's on the highway. 40 coupe with a 327/350 and 3.00 rear with 235/75/15 spins about 2500 at 70-ran it for years. 350's don't seem to like the R's like a 327.

 

Really the main benefit of an OD trans, IMO, is that it allows a very low gear in the differential, while still allowing decent cruising rpm's on the highway. I have a TH350 behind the 350 in my 47, and it works well and cruises very nicely, all day, as fast as you want to go. But the rear axle isn't super low. Unless you're going with something like 4.10 or lower don't worry about OD.

 

I've got 3.70 gears in the 38 Chevy and to drive on the interstate I'd be spinning over 3500 RPM, two lane roads are fine. The Studebaker has a 700 R4 and I think it will be fine. It has been "yard driven" but not out on the road. The transmission guy told me that the 200 R transmission is a better choice for a number of reasons. I already had the 700 R 4 so I went with it.

 

My 60 Pontiac with a 400 C.I. engine and a 2004R out of a Grand National runs at 2000 RPM's at over 80 MPH. Can run all day long on Interstates without breaking a sweat.

 

Yeah, I've got a 327-350 combo, with 275 gears, it'll run 2200 rpm all day at 60 mph, my 36 is 2770 lbs, performance is still acceptable and it can be fixed in the middle of bumfuck nowhere. Lots to be said for that, make the choice thats best for you.

 

Ok, two more cents:... LOVE my Jag 2.88 IRS rear end coupled to my (twice rebuilt myself) (with manual lockup switch) hooked into my self built 383 Stroker. 1,500 rpm at 65 mph and 14 mph average (16 on the highway)..The "too low of a first gear" on the 700R4 works perfectly with the 2.88...

Take a ride with me and my brother!
https://49fordcoupe.smugmug.com/Driving-around-the-neighborhood-/i-RPffNds/A

 

So there are the opinions.
What has @KahunsKat learned from this? What is his number one choice for a transmission selection?
Thanks all.

Phil

 

What? No "put a 4 gear in it" post? Like a tired tranny, you guys are slippin

 

I left off the "real hot rods have three pedals" sentence, because I figured he wasn't building a real hot rod...he's building something he wants to drive a lot.

 

I've got a built th350 behind my SBC. 3.70 gear, 29" tall tire. Turning right around 3k at 60mph. Been doing it for the past decade on this engine. Not fun on the highway, but it's a hot rod. I would still rather have overdrive. One of these days.

 

Lots of options! Now to pin one down which one is the best? Will the 2004R handle a fairly stock 89 350?

 

I have a 2004r behind a crate 350 (300hp), with a 335 9" that loves 80mph at about 2150rpm. As someone said earlier, choose a good trans shop and have it built to Grand National specs. I had a th350 and a 273 GM rear gear before, it ran good but as highway speeds have gone up the motor was working harder and harder. The current set up is very friendly at all speeds now.

 

Three pedals and a 6 speed is cool...

 

I guess nobody here ever had something like my second car. 65 Malibu. 327, 4spd. 4.88 gears. With a 215x70x14 tire on it the engine would turn about 4500 at 70mph. Drove it every day. I would put a "new" junkyard 327 in every spring. Yes an OD would have been nice, but not too many available in 1980. I still feel that your car should be turning just under your peak HP at cruising speed in high gear (1:1). Whatever you get with O/D is what you get.

 

Actually, the T-200-4R can be built to work with over 1000hp. A few shops can do this.
Here's the first guy to do it -
https://www.scottmcclayengineering.com/

I have two of Scotts transmissions. Both have trans.-brakes in them..!

Mike

 

That's me!.....

 

Grand Nationals and 2004R transmissions do it all day long. A 2004R can for sure handle a stock 350. The 2004R in my 60 pontiac has been handling a 425 plus HP engine with no problems.

 

My trans guy builds both types. His 200Rs can handle alot of HP. He builds many transmissions for high horsepower drag cars as well. I have bought 13-14 trans from him over the years but all turbo 350's with 2000 stall converter and shift kit. They are excellent--Just asked about a 200R for my daughters C10-great price with a converter-no core chg to me either. Have never had an issue with any of his transmissions. Lots of room in C10 vs 40 Ford.

 

G'day, We put a 2004R in dad's 1963 Nova behind a 327. It had a glide with tall gears so we left the rear diff alone. It turns about 2000 at 70 MPH. Quite comfortable and drivability is awesome. Best choice we made. I am partial to the 7004R myself though. Works well in our lifted trucks we build and even in a couple of other projects.

Now our OT car has a glide with 4.10 gears and it runs through the lights at 146 with the shift light on at 7200. I wouldn't want to run that down the intestate. Nothing like the scream of a 485 inch big block running at that RPM.

 

^^^ My friend I help has an OT Chevelle with a PG from our trans guy. It runs well too--best is 8.20 at 160+
632 BB runs B?gas
A Nova I wired runs a PG and BB too-A/gas-mid 7's-will be at March meet

 

Bought a new vette in '89, 700r4 with the factory performance axle ratio, which was 3.08. Loved that transmission, lots of manually clicking thru the gears, zero problems... And guess how I drive

 

Yeah!!!!!! Where is the fun in moving the shifter from park to drive (O)

 

This place doesn't seem to be about fun any more.