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Old 12-21-2017, 06:38 PM   #1
MotorBike Mike
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Trans questions for my '55 3200. Advice needed...

So, I'm new to the forum. I've lurked here for a long while and I finally signed up this week.

I've owned my truck for almost 4 years now. It's a 1955 3200 long bed stepside. This isn't my first Chevy truck, but it is my oldest (so far). It currently has a mild-ish 350 against a TH350 against my built 9" with 3.50 gears. I built the rear end a couple of years ago knowing I was going heavy on the motor eventually, and now is the time.

So, I've pretty much made up my mind on engine and components. It'll be a 400 horse 400 small block up against my built 9" with 3.50 gears. The problem is the trans...

My questions are,

Who here has a beefy motor and a 700 trans?
How do you like it?
Is it picky or "finicky"?
Have you broken or had problems with it?
Would you do it again?
Has anyone here used that GearVendors overdrive? Is it worth that price tag?!

Thanks guys!
MotorBike Mike
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Old 12-22-2017, 01:57 AM   #2
mr48chev
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Re: Trans questions for my '55 3200. Advice needed...

I'd say most guys on here will vote for the 700R 4 and the only issue with that one is getting the TV wire or what ever you call it adjusted to the Nth degree. If they aren't adjusted right they don't fare well.

Cost wise a good turbo 400 might be the choice but you loose the OD and some think that they take more power than necessary.

The Gear vendors od is spendy but pretty reliable and tough. There are thousands of them in motorhomes and a good number of the Drag Week cars ran them this year including a guy I follow who ran one in an Altered Wheel base Chevy II with a blown 454 that he ended up driving from New Mexico to Illinois and back including racing at several tracks after his tow rig broke down. He runs a Turbo 400 in front of it.
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Old 12-22-2017, 08:09 AM   #3
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Re: Trans questions for my '55 3200. Advice needed...

would cost more but you could look into a 4l80....same as a t400 but with od...
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Old 12-22-2017, 11:16 AM   #4
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Re: Trans questions for my '55 3200. Advice needed...

What he said! ^^^

I have a big block and first used a built th-400 with a u.s. gear od. It's a manual shift version of the Gear Vendors. One of my first changes was to go to a 4L80 and, IMO, it's the only way to go if you want power and reliability. If you choose smaller, go with the 4L60 or 65. The electronic controllers in the aftermarket, although pricey, give you tons of options in terms of shift points, line pressure, TC lockup, etc. that you will find handy in a combo hot rod/cruiser.
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Old 12-23-2017, 03:32 PM   #5
MotorBike Mike
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Re: Trans questions for my '55 3200. Advice needed...

I was looking into that US Gear OD but it looks like they scrapped that unit from their line. The 4L series is a little spendy for me at the moment. After sourcing the trans and paying for controllers, speedo units, and everything else, it turns into a black hole pretty quick.

Mike
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Old 12-24-2017, 11:01 AM   #6
Speedbumpauto
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Re: Trans questions for my '55 3200. Advice needed...

All true but having a performance console where the click of a button controls TCC lockup on command, normal or performance driving on command and manual shift option on command is, at times, priceless! I do understand the budget situation but just giving info based on the been there, done that experience. Cost me a lot more than it needed to before I got to the happy place.
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Old 12-24-2017, 11:58 PM   #7
nail pounder
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Re: Trans questions for my '55 3200. Advice needed...

Can't you just get a 700r4 built to handle the power? I'm no expert but I thought they were good for 400hp and able to be built to handle more. I have one behind a nothing special crate 350, stock 3.90 rear and love it. Low first gear gets up and goes, OD is great for the freeway.
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Old 12-25-2017, 06:56 PM   #8
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Re: Trans questions for my '55 3200. Advice needed...

Yes and no to the "performance" 700 lasting with higher power levels. Some folks find a good builder and have good luck. Others do not. What I believe is truly important to success (along with a good build) is the engine's torque curve. If you have a 400hp engine that makes peak torque at a low rpm there's a greater chance you'll experience transmission problems.

For example, this 400hp engine (a Powerstroke diesel) would absolutely destroy a 700R4:



But this 400hp 2.5L turbo engine is much less likely to cause any parts failures in the 700R4.


The key is that the second 400hp engine makes peak torque of only 370 ft/lbs at 4500 rpm, with torque slowly dropping as rpm climbs to 6500. Once torque crosses 5252 rpm, hp is always higher than torque.


Have you got any estimates of peak torque level for your 400 smallblock?

Last edited by 1project2many; 12-25-2017 at 07:13 PM.
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