What do you consider to be a "bullet-proof" 700R4?

[firemanmsmith]

I am planning to swap a TBI 350 and 700R4 in my 70 C10 4x4. I will be rebuilding the motor and tranny before hand. What upgrades need to be made to the 700R4 to consider it to be bullet-proof.
Thanks, Mitch

[mbgmike]

I am the first to admit my ignorance when it comes to 700r4's. There are many talented people on this forum but in case you don't get the answer you may want to try these guys

http://www.700r4.com/sitemap.shtml

Mike

[VetteVet]

I like what these guys say but you need $$$$.
http://www.transmissionhead.com/

[72freak]

I am not sure what they do to make them "bullet proof" but GM needed to take some lessons if there is actually a way to do it?!?!?!?! Put one in a Suburban and your good for 100k if your lucky. Now with that said......I know everyone is going to chime in saying theirs went for 200k blablabla.

This is just my experience and others arround me with Suburbans. The regular trucks seem to have done much better!!!

[rfmaster]

This is a checklist I gave my transmission shop – they are just finished rebuilding installation is due end of this week.



700R4 Transmission Retrofit Heavy Duty Check List

• 4L60E Lockup Converter (Stock stall speed – 1600 to 1800 RPM) it has improved lockup converter!
• Hardened 30 spline input shaft. (needed for towing or if engine is capable over 400 foot pounds torque.)
• Hardened drum assembly (needed for towing)
• Hardened reaction shell and bearing (needed for towing)
• High performance / high volume oil pump with 10 or (preferred 13) vanes. Early pre 87 pumps should not be used
• Trans-Go (Reprogramming kits, No Yo-Yo steel front pump rings, accumulation products, etc)
• Clutches and steels (3-4 clutch is the weak point on 700R4)
o Borg Warner (Hi-Energy 3-4 clutches, & Hi-Energy 2-4 band)
o Alto/Kolene uses 9 friction's and steels in the 3-4 clutch.
o And many others
• GM (Viton seal for the input to output shaft, eliminating rear planet failure due to lack of lubrication, and Turbulator low-drag steel & quick clutch release technology).
• Updated input sprag clutch - 29 element (updates 700R4 to 4L60E standard)
• New after market high quality band drum. ($75 to $100 depending on mfg)
• 700R4 Corvette 2nd Gear Servo – firmer shifts
• Main boost valve is upgraded to 0.500

Additional components required for full Installation:
TCI-376600 Torque Converter Lockup Kit, Wiring Kit, Electronic Sender if equipped, 700R4 Kit

[aggiedave98]

kevlar band if you want to tow. holds stronger (for the 2nd and 4th gears when it's engaged) and makes less heat. great list above though. depends on how much you want to spend though...

[firemanmsmith]

Thanks for all the replies. Now I know where to start. I will just have to pick through and see what I can afford.

[cableguy0]

There isnt really a such thing as a bulletproof 700r4.Its all about how much money your willing to dump into a transmission thats probably still going to break depending on how much abuse you throw at it.They definately arent known as a reliable or strong unit especially if you put any power to them. dumping 2-3grand into an od trans as opposed to just running a th400 and dealing with the gas mileage that isnt going to be much better with od than without.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by firemanmsmith

What upgrades need to be made to the 700R4 to consider it to be bullet-proof.

Swapping it out for a 4L80e is the only way. 700R4's don't take power. For a tbi 350 though you don't need bulletproof.

[plumbcut]

Tom's right... if its a driver, a 700r4 is great.. if youre going to be abusing it at all, dont bother... the only way to make them bulletproof is wrap them in kevlar.

pc

[Bill W]

Originally Posted by 72freak

I am not sure what they do to make them "bullet proof" but GM needed to take some lessons if there is actually a way to do it?!?!?!?! Put one in a Suburban and your good for 100k if your lucky. Now with that said......I know everyone is going to chime in saying theirs went for 200k blablabla.

This is just my experience and others arround me with Suburbans. The regular trucks seem to have done much better!!!

I guess I'm the blablabla kinda guy. My 91 1500 4x4 suburban just went to 220,000 on original 700R4, original 10 bolt rear end and original NP241 alum transfercase. All parts that are not considered durable. Maintence and driving habits have somewhat to do with how long things will last. Gearing is 373 with 31 inch tires. Nothing to write home about and I'm sure if I had it lifted with 35's I might not have gotten the same results.

Bill