[seawolf18]

I recently bought a 1985 Monte Carlo, non-SS, as a project. The car came with no engine or transmission, but the body and interior are almost perfect. I am going to build a 400-450 HP 350 for it. I am trying to decide what transmission to use.?

I have a TH-400 sitting under my bench in the garage that I bought for cheep awhile ago. All I need for it is a converter due to the previous owner kept it because it was a stall converter. I have also thought of trying to find a 200-4r like what came with it from the factory, or a 700R4 or maybe even a TH350. The car will be mostly be used to play with around town, and go on a few poker runs per year. Suggestions?

[jwc55]

Are you going to retain the computer control carb? If you want some decent fuel mileage, I would go with one of the overdrive units. I believe that the stock 200r gives a 36 per cent reduction in final drive ratio.
jim

[seawolf18]

No all the computer and emissions stuff is taken off and in the trash can. We do not have emission standards for vehicles here.

[jwc55]

If your not going to do any serious racing, then I would look for a 200 or 700r. The overdrive could save a few bucks in fuel over the summer.
jim

[stich626]

if you have a th400.. it be cheaper than a 2004r built..

[seawolf18]

Yeah, I have been going over it in my head for a while now. I know the TH400 is a much stronger trans than the TH350, but the Th400 take more power to turn. I would like an overdrive tans, but like you said the TH400 is already sitting in the garage minus a torque converter. That would be quite a cost savings to get it running.

Since this is a play toy and not a cross country cruiser, I will probably stick with the TH400. I also have read that a 200-4R swap to a Th400 is pretty easy in a 80's monte. The only thing I don't like is it uses a switch on the gas pedal for the kick down instead of the cable like the Th350.

[SSedan64]

The Non-SS Montes have some very numerically low Rear Gears, as low as 2.14, 2.29 etc.. so the TH400 may be a better option unless you plan on swapping Gears. The 4th/OD in a 2004R or 700R4 would be useless.

[seawolf18]

The car I have does have very high rear gears. I planned on putting some 3.42's or 3.73's in it.

[stich626]

Originally Posted by SSedan64

The Non-SS Montes have some very numerically low Rear Gears, as low as 2.14, 2.29 etc.. so the TH400 may be a better option unless you plan on swapping Gears. The 4th/OD in a 2004R or 700R4 would be useless.

really not true, the 2.29 rear gear will go nicely with the 7004r 3.08 first gear.. and it's od isn't as tall as the 200r4.. 75mph could be a nice 1700 rpm(don't quote me I didn't do the math) no different than the t56 6 speed double od..

the 2004r 's 2.74 first gear with a 2.29 rear gear is about equal to a 3.27 rear gear and the th400 2.42 first gear.. the tall od is nice on hyway

the th400 requires a vacuum line and a electronic switch for shifting,
by far the easiest route, as the 2004r/7004r need a tv cable (or 4le electronicly controlled 7004r ,it need a controller)
the th350 needs a kickdown cable and vacuum line..
no matter really, as 350-400 hp will blow the 7.5" rear end apart.. with 3.73 gears..
I'd find a 2004r and build it.. as it's theeasiest to install, as the tranny mount/crossmember and driveshaft bolt together..
next up would be the 7004r because you can keep the gear in the rear end and it's cost of changing it.. but will need to fab up a driveshaft, mostlikely needed anyways as the stockers are 9 times out of 10 bent.

like anything, money trees are missing, and a th400 is sitting.. we have a winnar.. will need crossmember work and driveshaft but you'll be hard pressed to break it.