1986CamaroSC

i got a th350 tranny off a guy the other day, it was freshly rebuilt, this will fit all SBCs up to 1992 except the 90s lt1 vette right? and also when i haul out my 700r4 and V6 what are some tips you have for things that have gone wrong when you may have taken out a 2.8?

KED85

Swap this tranny for the right solution a V-8 700R4.
It's wasted effort to stick in a 3 speed.
Sell it.
NOR it will not be right with a Corvette unless it's 1977-1982 years.
the 1981-82 have lock up torque convertors & the controls.

1991tealRSt-topGuy

well its looks like he has a daily driver, so i would stick with the TH350

700R4 have too many weak features..............................

it will technically "bolt" to any SBC (any vette SBC included) but some fiddling would be in order to get it to work in a 84-96 vette (because they have no X-member for the trans, the torque arm holds the trans in place) as mentioned you will also lose lockup, unless you have a TH350C

89-28gp

I agree, stick with the thm350. these trannies can be built to be pretty much bulletproof, and are very rugged even stock. The 700r4 does have many weak points, especially the earlier ones. Then again, any tranny with an overdrive is fairly weak compared to an old 3 speed.

MDv6man

If the car is going to be a weekend cruiser/strip car a THM 350 is definitely the trans to go with. It is very durable and (if rebuilt properly) will give you plenty of miles of trouble free operation.

Keep in mind when swapping it in there will be some necessary modifications to the crossmember, torque arm, and driveshaft length. Check the tranny board for more details.

If you are going to use the car daily, I'd stick to the 700R4. They can be built to be a durable piece and don't require any modification to get it in. Also driving the car won't be as hard on the pocketbook.

KED85

OH COME ON!
MEANING
A TWO SPEED POWERGLIDE WILL ALSO FIT, TOO!!!!
One can install a powerglide into a late model Corvette, too!
Make sure the Powerglide is from the 1950's as the case is stronger than the aluminum ones!
See above.

What I was meaning & will stick to is that,
the "right" answers are so easily, inexpensivly available and common everywhere.
And the right answers can be built strongly & properly so ya can waste time hacking up another part of the car.

For a simple tranny 350 to 700R4 swap, or sell & spend money on right solution for probably the same price, you'll be happier in the long run and less time wasted re-inventing a wheel.

Spend your effort wisely, everything bolts up easier and fits right. Back on road quicker, too.

Reason why Chevy changed trannys on the C3 Corvettes.
Engine power was down and necessary change was dictated by needed increase in Fuel milage.
TH350 require less power, so one could get more fuel milage outta vehicle.
Know how many Z-28 & Corvette & Other GM cars were blowing up the TH350's?
Quite alot back then.
Everyone knew/remembered the "good old days" and neutral tranny drops on TH 400 wasn't big deal.
That TH400 tranny was from the GM Allison Factory, known for the US Army Tanks.

The correct tranny choice is really so easy to do right for not much more "money", these days.
Hell I'm even seeking a 700R4 for my Wife's inline 6 in her 1968 Camaro. Meaning, it can stay when I upgrade to the V-8 in the end!
Why waste my time only inserting or rebuilding her original Powerglide or finding a TH350 when I should go straight to the right answer from the beginning.

eric17422001

I'm with Ked on this one. Why go backward? Yes, a TH350 can be had and for that matter had built cheaper than a 700. Then don't forget you need to get a conversion kit to bolt the F body torque arm up to the tailshaft

But that fallacy and I do mean fallacy that a 700 is a "piece or sh#t" is old school. I had SO MANY people in Savannah tell me to go with a TH350 in my S10 when I did the V8 swap. I didn't listen to them. Bunch of hackers as far as I'm concerned, They still think Cragars with a set of L60 bias plies and sidepipes are the latest and coolest thing.

If I had put a TH350 in my S10 I sure wouldn't drive it much, what with the 3.73 gears and that whopping 10-12 mpg I'd get, if I was lucky. I have put 20000 miles on it, and get 17.5 to over 18 mpg at 70 to 75mph highway speeds, turning my engine 3000.
And I don't even have a lockup converter in front of it. Plus the 3.06 first gear gives you great launch off the line.

ANYWAY these are just the opinions of someone who has had both trannies, and now I wouldn't think of going without an OD.

Come on and flame me!

Eric

JRoy91RS

Yeah, TH-350's are cheap, and pretty much "bullet-proof", but what are you going to use it for? Driving every day, you will suck gas like a $2 ***** on half price day. Plus, it will be almost like having a ****-a$$ powerglide, but maybe slightly better. Three speed trannies suck ***. I've had one and would rather drive a VW Karmann Ghia with their crappy tranny. Stick with the 700R4. If built correctly, it will outlast and outdrive any other tranny you can get,with the possible exception of the 4l80E.

SSC

No transmission is bullet proof they will all fail eventually quicker if there abused. I personally like the TH700R4-4L60, compared to any other automatic transmissions, Why?? Low 1st gear allows one to build for more upper RPM power with less rear end gearing. Ive argued this many times. The OD is G0d sent when crusing on the highway especially if you have a lower differential "numericly higher". I could go on for days, but honestly Putting the 700R4 in my car was they best thing I ever did, BTW when I had my camaro I had a TH350 and a TH400 in it with 3.42's, the 700r4 is better if built right.

Gumby

here here... the 700R4 suck *** big time, too many inhearent flaws and only for those who have big pockets, a Th350 is rock solid in every aspect, you will only blow one if you have too much power, then you move to the TH400

I

pontiacguy1

I am inclined to line up on the side of the 700-R4 for anything that is daily driven. I had a 1982 Toyota truck that I put a 350 in. It was mildly built, probably putting out around 280-300 HP on 87 octane gas. Anyway, I originally had a TH 350 in there, and was getting about 14 MPG, even with tall 3.08 gears in the rear. I swapped mine out to a TH 700-R4 from an '88 Trans Am. The '87 and up 700s are built better than the earlier ones. Anyway, after the swap, I was getting about 20 MPG, had a lot lower first gear, and never had any trouble with it at all. I even had the lockup converter working on it. Yes, the TH350 is a strong and inexpensive transmission, but the 700 can be built almost as strong, and the overdrive is definitely worth it if you are driving it very much. If you are not putting out over 300 HP, then a completely stock 700 should be just fine.