['87 monte ss]

This is my first time posting a bulletin and i just need some experienced answers. I swaped the original 305 out of my '87 monte ss to a built 350. I also swaped the original 200r4 to a rebuilt 350 turbo but my problem is it seems to be geared really low. It runs 3000rpms at 55mph and red lines at 90mph.Some times when i get on it it skips 2nd gear and gose straight to 3rd. I dont want to lose to much of my low end. Some people told me to change gears but every one I've seen keeps the 3:73 in there montes with the 350 turbo. Other people tell me to swap tranys to a 700r4. I'd really appreciate any replys.

[1981monte]

I have a 1981 Monte with the same setup 350cid, th350 trans It had a 4.3 with a 200r trans. I dont know about going from 1st to 3rd, my trans does not do that. My car cruzes 70mph at 2200 rpms, now that is some tall gears! I am in the process of putting a posi unit with 3:73 gears into it will let you know how I make out. But living in New York My car is in storage now so it will be awhile before I instal the rear. Good luck and if you do something to your Monte that works out well let me/us know.

['87 monte ss]

Do you know what gears are in your monte now?

[dh79]

It sounds like you have 3.73 gears. From a performance standpoint, it would be best to keep these gears. I would change the transmission back to an overdrive. The 2004r you took out is an overdrive. Why limit yourself with a 3 speed? 2004r's can be made to handle a decent amount of power. Look at the grand national guys. They're running 2004r's and a lot of those cars are making some serious power. Your other option is to swap in a 700r4. I have a 700r4 with 4.10 gears in my 81 grand prix. There's no way I could drive on the freeway without the overdrive.

In my opinion, sell the th350 (or use it on something else) and go with the 2004r or 700r4.

good luck,
dh

[WsXs3]

monte ss's had 3.42's from the factory.... by swapping out the 4 spd. for 3 spd. you lost a gear, bad news for cruising... all the power in the world wont help you get back cruising rpm... so the best thing to do is to swap out the rears if you want more cruise... im in the same position with my caprice... 3.42 and a 3 spd... i like it in town but i cant hit the hi way worth ****.... could always put back in the 200 r4 with a converter... thats the only way youll get the cruise back in it

['87 monte ss]

monte ss '83& '84 had 3:42 gears monte ss '85-'88 had 3:73

[1981monte]

I do not know what rear I have in my 81 now, but by turning 2200@70mph I think 2:73 with a th350. I know that most people recomend the overdrive trans. And they do build them very well, but I am not intrested is long drives on the highway with my car, I have used th400 and th350s and like them. I went through 4 transmissions with this car 3 th200S and one 700r4 smoked all of them, the th350 is still holding strong.

[poncho62]

Sounds to me, that you need some tranny work. It should not be shifting from 1st to 3rd. Are you shifting manually or leaving it in drive?

['87 monte ss]

im leaving it in drive but i think the shifting from 1st to 3rd is because its im running to many rpms but I dont know. what do u think i should do about it being geared too low. I dont want it to be geared as low as it is but i do want to keep some of the low end so should i change gears or trannys?

[poncho62]

I would check your modulator valve. It controls the shifting. Maybe the vacuum line to the valve is off.

['87 monte ss]

I checked that

[87 350monteSS]

I say keep the gears and change the tranny that what i plan on doing anyway and i have the same setup

I say keep the gears and change the tranny that what i plan on doing anyway and i have the same setup

['87 monte ss]

What tranny are you using