Thread: Which O/D tranny to get???

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I have a question for you tranny experts out there......I presently am running a TH400 with 4.11 gears and am considering replacing the 400 with an O/D unit. I am a bit ignorant when it comes to comparing trannys and am looking for a little more highway friendly transmission. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated......Thanks!

I would suggest checking out a Gear Vendors Overdrive unit. It may be out of your price range and may not, I don't know; but, everything I've seen or heard has them performing better than a 700R or 200R in cars with a bunch of horsepower.

Here's a link to their site:

http://www.gearvendors.com/hotrods.html

The best part is that since it plugs onto the back of your TH400 which may already be built for the strip, it takes the guesswork out of it. Anyway, lotso luck with your search.

Cheers,
Dutch

I like the Gear Vendors suggestion but they are pricey, about $2400 for one for a TH 400.

Yeah, I've checked out Gear Vendors and they are pricey. I had a tranny vendor at the recent Goodguys show here in OC quote me $2500.00 for a 700R4 complete/installed.

The GV unit would turn your TH400 into a 6 speed transmission as you can switch it in and out instantly in any froward gear. I am no fan at all of the 700R4 on any modified SBC's or any BBC's. A built TH400 and GV unit will handle just about all you can give it on the street.

Kitz

I don't know guys, I like the 700R4's for the street. I've had mine in the willys for a year now and it hasn't missed a lick. I really like the low 1st gear and the overdrive allows the 4.10 rear to run down the interstate nicely. I don't know how much power Highbinder has but if its a street car I don't think he will kill it that easliy. And, you can get a good one built for a whole lot less than $2000.
Another thing I don't like about the GV is the added length and weight.

But that is just one man's opinion.
John

How about the 4L80E? It's a T400 with overdrive.

Real HEAVEY though, but pretty buuletproof.

Originally Posted by 41willys

I don't know guys, I like the 700R4's for the street. I've had mine in the willys for a year now and it hasn't missed a lick. I really like the low 1st gear and the overdrive allows the 4.10 rear to run down the interstate nicely. I don't know how much power Highbinder has but if its a street car I don't think he will kill it that easliy. And, you can get a good one built for a whole lot less than $2000.
Another thing I don't like about the GV is the added length and weight.

But that is just one man's opinion.
John

IMO, The weight? I don't think that is even a starter. If you have one (700R4) in a blown motor you either don't have a heavy foot or you have one of the very few good ones, or you have very few miles. I've seen them self destruct time and time again on much lesser motors. IMO you are surely blessed.

The 80e is a good unit but VERY expensive.

I don't know, there's many ways to skin this cat but for my money I'll take the bullet proof TH400 and GV unit, and 6 speeds ................

Kitz

Is it for the roadster? How much horse power? If just for cruizing the street and jumping on it every now and then and not beating the S--- out of it the 200R fits well and will handle 350hp without any problem.

You might want to check out this website www.transmissioncenter.net if it's for a 700R4 they have it,and plenty of good info also.

Originally Posted by jpelli

Is it for the roadster? How much horse power? If just for cruizing the street and jumping on it every now and then and not beating the S--- out of it the 200R fits well and will handle 350hp without any problem.

Yeah, it's for the roadster. No more than 350 HP. It would be just for cruisin' and like you say, jumpin' on it now and again. A friend of mine just put a 200R4 in his car behind a blown sbc and he likes it. Between the two trannys, the 700 and the 200, is there a clear deciding factor that makes one better than the other? Thanks for all your comments.

Originally Posted by JeffB2

You might want to check out this website www.transmissioncenter.net if it's for a 700R4 they have it,and plenty of good info also.

Hey thanks Jeff, a lot of neat info on that site.

You hear a lot more about people having the 700's and not much about the 200's, but a lot of folks I know have the 200's in their cars (none over 400HP) and they all swear by them. It would be a good choice in cruiser with a little extra for redlight challenges.

Originally Posted by kitz

If you have one (700R4) in a blown motor you either don't have a heavy foot or you have one of the very few good ones, or you have very few miles. I've seen them self destruct time and time again on much lesser motors. IMO you are surely blessed. :Kitz

Hey kits, I have the 700 and it has been bullit proof for 6 years. AWD for traction and 525hp motor and 225 button, no problems.

Wheels in the air and 10 sec trap times. It shifts flawlessly at 6800 rpm.

TyoonZR, thanks for the encouragement! I went with a 700R4 from the "Eat My Shift" guys in Florida but I do not have it running yet. Since I probably will have only 250 HP with a mild 350 SBC the upgraded 700R4 should be OK for me.

Don Shillady
Retired Scientist/teen rodder