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700R4 conversion for my 77 corvette

5K views 7 replies 5 participants last post by  airworld2 
#1 ·
I have a 77 corvette with a stock 350 and TH350. They're starting to get tired after many miles of fun, and I'm starting to plan for a new small block with 350+ hp. That's not the problem though...I'd like to put a 700R4 in because I'm tired of cruising down the freeway at 3000 rpms. Does anyone have any experience converting to a 700R4?
 
#2 ·
It wont be much of a problem except if you run a 700r4 of a newer model car such as an 89 trans am you will need a shift converter because those tranys need a computer. Make sure that you also check your rear end gears. A 3.23 rear end will help your car out on the freeway and also give it a nice jump just in case you feel like putting the pedal to the metal
 
#6 ·
Trip 7s, you will love the 700R4, but I don't envy the installer. My limited experience with Corvets is that every thing is like putting 10 #s of stuff in a 5 # bag!!. The 700R4 is not only longer than the 350, but it has a wider/longer pan and the housing is also bigger. You must have some way to lock/unlock the torque converter. Painless Wiring and Ron Francis Wireworks both provide a good kit for this. Painless works off the brake light switch and a vacuum switch and requires removing the internal wiring and installing theirs. Ron Francis is a computer that also receives an input from the brake light switch and from a speedometer generator that is part of the kit. You do not have to pull the tranny pan for installation. There is another kit that is only 40% as expensive of those mentioned above and it involves changing a piston and spring internally. I have one of each of these installed in three diverent vehicles. The first two perform equally but I have not put the piston/spring unit on the road yet. Your present shifter most likely not work without some modification so you need to look into the aftermarkt arena to find something that will. Also, the TV cable is a sensitive bugger that must be set right or you can cook your tranny. You will need to fabricate a bracket for it or look at the after market for your carb setup. Good luck!! Go for it!!

Trees
 
#8 ·
82 corvette had 700 r4 in it all parts should be availble from chevy dipstick, and fill tube t/v or kick down cable(depends on what you call it) different,tounge on crossmember might require replacement or change. trans in vett has short output shaft, and tailhousing for drveshaft,but you have to check what you can find on trans parts from local shops, shifter was 3 speed with out low in 82 but you can always replace shifter later
 
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