Gear Vendors Installation and Performance

[trainor]

New to the forum and did search for gear vendors but no luck. I have a 70 Impala with a 430hp 383 and th 350 tranny. Right now with 3:55 gears I'm at 3000rpm at 60mph. Tranny is fairly new and beafed up for the motor and a shift kit. I'm looking at gear vendors to solve my rpm on the highway problem. I also thought of the 700R4 but kinda am moving away from that. I feel confident installing the GV myself but would like any input on installation and overall performance. Thanks for the input in advance. Trainor

[34_40]

First, welcome to the club. Good to have you here!

I'm curious why you're shying away from the 700? I haven't seen anyone here post pictures or even discussed the GV unit.
I think someone has experience with them so we'll have to wait for them to pass by here.

[trainor]

Thanks for the welcome. I'm just thinking that it would be a good project to do myself. No real reason for the 700 not to be put in except for what needs to be done with the column shift window to accomadate for the od. Thanks again.

[rspears]

Welcome to the forum!! The Gear Vendors unit is a great choice for your need for a taller gear to cruise. Not only will you get a "cruise gear", but you can use the unit in each gear, basically giving you twice the gears you have. I think it was Hot Rod mag that did an article on them a while back, behind some serious power as I recall. Dave Severson was looking at one for his '57, but not sure where that selection process is today. I think it's a good choice.

[Dave Severson]

Many moons ago ran one in a rear engine digger, big Ford hooked to a glide! Use 3 gears instead of two, took a full tenth off 60' time. Better then 300 passes on it with no problems! A few guys around here still run them in drag cars and also a couple of them in toter's. Their tech people are great and really know the product, I'd suggest you call them and they'll give you the whole skinny on just what it takes to make one really work "right" in a car!

[glennsexton]

Welcome to CHR!

Here's the info on Gear vendors: Gear Vendors under/overdrive auxiliary transmissions Hot Rods, GM 3-Speed Automatic Performance Car/Street Rod.

An option often overlooked is a TH200-R4. Four speed w/over drive and all the pieces of your TH350 fit, i.e., cooler lines, drive shaft, etc. It's literally a bolt in with a movement of the transmission mount back 6" and proper cable between transmission and car. Built properly it will more than handle your 383 for +/- $2000.

Again, welcome!
Glenn

[Mike P]

I've played with them some. Biggest downside is physical size requiring driveshaft tunnel modifications to make it fit in some in some applications.


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[trainor]

Thanks for all the advice. So the 200 4r is an exact fit, with driveshaft and crossmember needing no changes. Sounds like a nice way to go. Thanks again guys for the welcome and the help. Trainor