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Which tranmission to use

Forum: C3 Engines, Driveline and Handling

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Which tranmission to use

Posted: 2/26/05 10:08amMessage 1 of 10
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silverbullett
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Colorado Springs, CO - USA
Joined: 9/11/2004
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition Paint, L-48, Matching numbers, 350 c.i, 625cfm Demon Carb, Weiand Stealth intake, 268 Custom Ground Cam, 10:1 heads, Jet Hot Hooker Headers, 3:73 rear end.
We are in the final stages of deciding how we want to rebuild the motor in my 78. The next project will be the tranny. I need to know what will be best, stay with the 350 rebuild with stronger aftermaket parts, move up to a  heavier 400, or 700r or 5 speed manual? When the motor comes back from the shop it will produce just under 400hp. I replaced the rear-end gears to 3.73. Everyone I know has an opinion but not any of these people own a Vette. This is a daily driver, stop light to stop light car. Which tranny woud be best for the car?
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Which tranmission to use

Posted: 2/26/05 12:31pmMessage 2 of 10
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smoke-m
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baytown, TX - USA
Joined: 4/21/2004
Posts: 160
Vette(s): 1979 maui blue/doe skin, fuel injected 383, 6-speed manual, hooker sidepipes, 3.90 gear
If I had to drive mine daily I may not have went to a 6 speed manual. The 350 turbo I had was awesome with a street /strip shift kit (B&M). The kits come with easy to understand instructions. My cam lopes and I tried a 2400 stall B&M holeshot hoping when its in gear it would'nt lug down so much but really did'nt notice a difference. The Tremec 6-speed was given to me, spent $30 on parts to fix 3-4 syncro(was'nt hard to fix with a repair manual). But everything else to install it ran about a $1000. Its a different car now- the way a sports car should be. At 70 mph- 1800rpm...Sweeet!
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Posted: 2/26/05 12:35pmMessage 3 of 10
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Gunslinger
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
The easiest and least expensive would be to rebuild your current 350 with heavier duty parts. It would hold up just fine. My own opinion is if you're gonna do a tranny rebuild for a daily driver is give serious consideration to a 700R-4 or a 200R-4 swap. You'll get better take off performance and better fuel mileage, not to mention less wear on the motor. I'm thinking about doing that myself for my '78.

Going to a manual 5-speed would likely be the most expensive thing to do, and be a fun drive, but you could get tired of the constant shifting.
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Which tranmission to use

Posted: 2/26/05 4:21pmMessage 4 of 10
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22742
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
The easiest and cheapest is to stay with the 350, and have it built to survive for your purpose. There are plenty of heavy-duty hard parts available for 350s, and a good builder can make it shift without the expense of a 'shift kit'. You want to use a HD intermediate sprag & race(for 2nd gear), and find forward and direct drums that were made for 5 clutches. Use Torrington bearings on the front & rear planets, and make sure the total end-play of the unit is within spec.(or slightly below). A GOOD pump is the heart of any trans, and you need to get one, if there is ANY question about your original. The 350 trans is well able to handle some serious Hp, if it's assembled correctly, with the right parts. Cost around here (Dallas) would be in the neighborhood of $500/600, if you just take the trans to someone and have them do the job. Hopefully, this is just a little more info to help you make your decision.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Which tranmission to use

Posted: 2/27/05 8:50pmMessage 5 of 10
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cthulhu
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3248
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans

personally i wouldnt put a 350 or 400 back in..  id goto 200/700 r4..

goto bowtieoverdirves and look around..

you get better bottom end and better top end.

 

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Posted: 2/28/05 6:47amMessage 6 of 10
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VTHokie77Vette
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Pennsville, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/13/2002
Posts: 532
Vette(s): 1977 EX-L48
I too would go with an OD Transmission if its going to be a daily driver and especially after switching your rear end gears.  I got a 700R4 from BowTie Overdrives.  Can't really comment on the performance yet since the car isn't done.
1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's

(click to see a bigger version)
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Posted: 2/28/05 10:51amMessage 7 of 10
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silverbullett
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Colorado Springs, CO - USA
Joined: 9/11/2004
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition Paint, L-48, Matching numbers, 350 c.i, 625cfm Demon Carb, Weiand Stealth intake, 268 Custom Ground Cam, 10:1 heads, Jet Hot Hooker Headers, 3:73 rear end.
 Thanks to all of you for your advice and opinions all,of which have helped me. For now I am going to rebuild the 350 with beefed up after market parts mentioned by Adam's Apple. Adam if you remember anything other parts please let me know. The biggest reason for this is I'm a Real Estate Agent and giving my clients whiplash everytime they get into the car is not conducive to business. The real solution to my problem is to buy another Corvette and build on that. Thanks again everyone.
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Posted: 2/28/05 7:30pmMessage 8 of 10
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cthulhu
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Hot Springs, AR - USA
Joined: 4/24/2004
Posts: 3248
Vette(s): 69 Conv #'s match 427, TKO-600/.64, 3.36HD-Posi, HT, T/T, PS, PB, PW, SP, Leather, Comp XE264HR & Roller Rockers & Lifters, Air-Gap RPM intake, Holley St Av 770 VS, MSD 6AL+Dist+Blaster SS, K&N, Jet-Hot Hooker Side-Pipes, Steeroids, Al Rad, Spal Fans

well  i would think that with that 3.73 rear gear that your going to produce a little whiplash regardless..

th-350

2.52,1.52,1.00 ratios  (with 3.73 = 9.4 launch gearing)

assuming 27" tires..  3300 RPM @ 70 mph

Th-200/700r4

2.74, 1.57. 1.00, 0.67 (with 3.73 = 10.2 launch gearing)

but here is the big improvement.. 

2178 RPM @ 70 mph

I dont know about you but i find having a conversation or listening to the radio is easier when the engine isnt wound up so high.

where do you fit a couple who want to look at a house ?

who rides on the luggage rack..  the man or woman? 

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Posted: 2/28/05 8:17pmMessage 9 of 10
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Adams' Apple
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 22742
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/ Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight" #2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Andy, it seems most would go for O/D setup, but sometimes ya just gots to do what you can at the time, right? Anyway, I think you can get it done with the parts I mentioned, and if you really have to have a 'shift kit', Superior makes a really good one, that is totally adjustable for just about any style driving you do, from bustin' the windershield out, to just a good, clean, tight shift. If you don't have a trans guy you use now, I can probably point you to one in your area that is a member of A.T.S.G., if you want. E-mail me if you need any more info from me, I'll be glad to help.

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

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Posted: 3/1/05 4:40pmMessage 10 of 10
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silverbullett
Former Member
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Colorado Springs, CO - USA
Joined: 9/11/2004
Posts: 67
Vette(s): 1978 Silver Anniversary Edition Paint, L-48, Matching numbers, 350 c.i, 625cfm Demon Carb, Weiand Stealth intake, 268 Custom Ground Cam, 10:1 heads, Jet Hot Hooker Headers, 3:73 rear end.

I definitely want to stay with an automatic in this car. I will build the 350 for now, I will my search for a 700r4 online and see what I can find. My wife has a 79 so when I rebuild the 350 and later swap it for the 700 we can put the rebuilt 350 in hers.  You are right about the noise levels at speed 50 and above. The only draw back with the 700 will be having to answer my cell more often. The luggage rack does get some client use, sometimes they have to run next to the car. But I find it better for my sanity if they meet me at the property. If they have to have a ride, I have an Exploder. I will be e-mailing you both with questions and to keep you updated. Thanks.

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