[DARK SIDE]

I am putting a mild 350 in my 52 buick. I can't deside on what tranny to use. It's going to be a th400 or a 700r. Any thoughts or pros or cons?? thax

[Crosley]

Originally Posted by DARK SIDE

I am putting a mild 350 in my 52 buick. I can't deside on what tranny to use. It's going to be a th400 or a 700r. Any thoughts or pros or cons?? thax

you are comparing apples and an orange .

T-400 is real tough tranny , non over drive, no converter clutch.

700/4L60 is an overdrive trans with converter clutch , weaker than the t-400.

Do you need an over drive or not is something I would decide first

[Blazin72]

If you're only installing a "mild" 350 then a TH400 might be more than you need. A better choice may be a TH350 or the 700. The 700 sure would be nice for an every day cruiser, it's got a low first gear and overdrive to boot. You could run a good middle of the road rear gear like a 3.42 or higher (like a 3.08) with that trans and still enjoy good off the line performance as well as decent fuel economy when cruising down the highway. The downside to the 700 would be the wide gear split between 1st and 2nd gear. The TH350s and 400s have much closer gears but dont have overdrive. They're a lot stronger too but behind a mild 350 the 700 should be fine.

I vote for the 700.

[302 Z28]

It's a no brainer, the 700R4 would be my choice.

Vince

[BigDawgsEatFirst]

what tranny do u already have?
how much do u want to spend?
mild 350 engine...
Go 700R4( fourth will save gas)
How much is it up there.....
or second choice THM-350

[454C10]

I hate 700's and will never own one again!!!!

1st gear is too low.
Too big a spread between 1st and 2nd.
That POS TV cable will mess with the throttle feel and wear out throttle bushings.
It never seems to know when to shift.
Very xpensive rebuilds.
Very expensive torque converters.
Requires another shifter (4 speed)

I love TH400's!
Cheap rebuilds and will last forever behind a mild 350.
Great gear spacing.
Always in the right gear.
Electronic kick down switch is great! No cable! (see my photo album)
Cheap converters
Very easy to tune with a cheap shift-kit and govern shift point-kit.
If you need an OD, install a Gear Vendor OD. It will pay for itself after a few 700 rebuilds with torque converters.

[BigDawgsEatFirst]

Thm -400 have their place in the hotrodding circuit,
However...
I had the assistance
from my tranny guy
he helped me with my 700 (rear planet ate itself -common fault)
and it was not that hard or difficult
the converter was 144.00 bucks
needed some hard parts 50.00(bushings,rear planet, etc)
seals ,clutch kit, transgo jr and boost valves 150.00 ,
flush cooler -free
after I put it in
I took it back to him to make sure adjustment
on cable was correct.
the 700 is an "attention to detail " type tranny
If you dont want 4th gear and be bothered with t.v adjustment
and beefier ,updated parts the 700 needs
then go 400
What tranny do u have, In front of u

[sha_ba_do_bang]

the tv cable is everything on the 700, it is the most important adjustment on it.

I'd also go with the 700 for gas milage, also get a hardened reverse drum if you get it rebuilt, its the #1 failure

Brendan

[occupant]

Why not a 350C? Get the best of both worlds, better economy in lockup, better first gear ratio? Not too hard to wire up the lockup solenoid either.

[Blazin72]

Originally Posted by occupant

Why not a 350C? Get the best of both worlds, better economy in lockup, better first gear ratio? Not too hard to wire up the lockup solenoid either.

As far as I know the TH350C has the same gear ratios as the regular TH350. 2.52:1... The 700R4 still has a lower first gear and it has an overdrive, which no TH350 ever had.

[DARK SIDE]

Thax for all the input guys. I presently have a th400 sitting in my garage. I would like the 700 because of the overdrive. The car is big and heavy and I'm not going to win any races or even try so this is good for the 700. Again the car is big and heavy and if I do put my foot into it I don't know if the 700 will hold up. It's $800 to get the 400 built at a tranny shop to handle the performance but I lose on gas mileage. I just put a new 700 in my van at a cost of 2300 just for the tranny. I'm thinking the 400 is the way to go just because I think the money I save on mileage will be eaten up in 700 repairs.Thax again guys. It helps to see other point of views when your doing stuff like this..

[BigDawgsEatFirst]

2300 Dollars....
I almost fell out of the computer chair.
My truck was 1070.00 (Jan 2004)
R and R
and torque converter
I felt ill for weeks...
I never paid that much for anything on a car or truck
I needed it to work.
If I had knew the guys here (IF I Only KNew...LOL)
BoB Cram
Cros
Air World
Chaz
M&M
And Alot of others.(I cannot name you all)
I would have at least took mine apart and found out what happen
Fair wear and tear or part failure or both
Just ask your question
If these guys tell u something,
It is right or in the right direction
Dont second guess them and you will be a happy camper and save some loot to boot

Whatever u decide
goodluck