Technical Dilemma; Which Trans. for my Nomad??

Okay gentlemen, could use a little input, suggestions on a transmission for my '55. In the process of making it more user-friendly. Lowered it back down(removed the stiff front springs), added sway bars(what a diff.!!), redoing a few things under the car, in preparation for a full 2.5" exhaust with 2.5" ramhorn manifolds, and going to "de-tune" the eng. a bit. Adding some better brakes in the front, removed the slicks, and also looking at a trans. change. I know... I've ruined it! Have a few to choose from and looking for some opinions. Thanks in advance! Here are my choices:
1. 2004R- '85 SS Monte Carlo
2. 700R4- Not sure what it's out of
3. 4L60E- '98-'99 Blazer
4. NV3500- Manual 5 sp. from a '92 Chevy 1/2 ton
5. 350 turbo that's in it now, and look for a Hone overdrive unit.
What do ya guys think?

 

for what it is worth.....I have a rebuilt 700r behind my rebuilt 350 in my Dort....I like it!

 

If you're going to drive it on the highway alot, the od makes sense. If not, the th350 would do just fine. I think the 700r4 and the 2004r is a six f one, half dozen of another kind of thing.

 

1st choice: 700r4.
2nd choice: 200r4.

 

Since it has turbo 350 in it now, the 200r will bolt right in without changing anything else.

 

Paul...I've got a 700R4 in the 32 and it works great and has had no problems but if you go with it do your homework on the TV cable setup.

 

Yep, looking to use it more for out-of-state trips, like the tri-five nats, etc. figured an o.d. would make it a little nicer for traveling.

 

We put a crate 350 and a 700 in my buddy's 56 Nomad. Stock rear gears, 14" wheels and something 60 series tires that clear. (Came on the car). Stock rear end, whatever it was for the 'glide. Nice combo, works fine. Had to install the rear crossmember. If you've already got a 350, most of that's probably done. I also had a 2004R in my OT camaro. I like the first gear ratio better. If the 700 hadn't been available cheap and rebuilt from another friend, that's what I would have had him do.

Ive never run a Hone, but I've had gearvendors o/d in another OT vehicle. Either a 200 or a 700 is going to be way cheaper, and doesn't add unsprug weight on the rear axle.

 

Third rebuild of my 1957 Nomad. Curie prepped 9 inch with 3:55 non locked rear, G. M. P. P. ZZ4, and a Bow Tie 700R4. Great road car with plenty of GRUNT. cruises 70 mph at 1825 rpm. About 21 mpg. Recently upgraded to the new Vintage Air system. Ran a 4L60E for a while. Could not get the shifting points the way I like (electronics). The Bow Tie 700 was the answer for me.

 

I would say 700R4.

It has a lower first gear, to get that car off the line nicely.

 

Check this out http://www.jegs.com/p/TCI/TCI-6X-Six-Speed-Transmissions-and-Packages/1325958/10002/-1
I don't know your budget but this has been bragged on all over the internet. I have a TCI trans in my Olds for over 10 years now and I pound on it, I trust them.

 

200r4 if a GN turbo Buick can't hurt nothing else will either and they fit nice.

 

Since it's not a stickshift car right now, a 700R4 would make the best sense to me.
It has a nice low low, a nice high o.d., and it's easy to get total control over it without any expensive electronics involved.
I don't have $3,000 or $6,000 to blow on a transmission. I have to use affordable parts or stop driving.
There are also quite a few valve body kits to give your trans most any characteristics you like it to have if you choose to give it a different personality.
Quite a few votes for the 700R4 I see




why be ordinary?

 

700R4's are pretty easy to come by, and even a clown like me can re-build them.

 

I listed the transmissions I have avail. Was actually leaning towards the 4l60e, due to the absence of a TV cable. However, still would need a stand-alone computer to shift it. Looks like the preferences would be the 200 or 700r4. Thanks and keep the comments coming!

 

The TV cable is not a big deal. If you have a non GM carb you need the geometry corrector. Very available from Jegs or Summit.
Be sure the cable is FULLY extended when carb is at WOT.
That's it.

Phil

 

700R4 would be my choice.

 

I have a 700R4 in my ot Suburban and I love it! That would be my choice as well!


Sent from my iPhone using H.A.M.B.

 

DITTO.
TV cable will be one of the EASIEST part of any of those projects.
Don't let the mag articles scare you about burning clutches etc.
That's only because they either don't know, or want to sensationalize.
All you need to know about TV cable adjustment is to be able to tell that the tranny actually shifted.
If you follow the common-today trend to make the shifts "invisible" by making them too smooooth by using a slow sloooossshhhh shift, you will shorten clutch life dramatically.
If you adjust the cable where you can tell it shifted, like in the old days, you will not burn clutches.
My 700R4 has been in my regular use Stude pickup for about 20 yrs now. I carry lumber and remodeling supplies regularly. And when its empty, I sometimes like to bark the tires on the second gear shift.
So far it has been very good to me.

why be ordinary?

 

1) What rear diff gear you got?

2) Are you going to take ALOT of long trips, or just occasionally?

 

3.55 gear. Would like to start taking it on some longer trips outta state.

 

I would go with a 5 speed manual. 3 pedals in a tri-5 is just the right way to go. Anybody can stick it in dumb and drive but for pure driving nothing beats a stick car. I would have said Muncie 4 speed , but you are talking long road trips.
Of course this is from a guy that drove his O/T Camaro daily with a 4 speed and 4.10 gears for years.

 

I'm with him..,.^^^