The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Best Auto transmission options for my crate 350??

Howdy,
So I'm doing a basic crate 350 (260 hp, alum manifold, 4 bl carb, headers). Nothing hotrod, just stability and a little extra torque for pulling a 19 ft vintage rv trailer with my 1959 Suburban. I really would like to pair an auto tranny up from the gitgo. Been reading a lot about r4700, 350, 400 trannys etc. I sure would appreciate some been there done that opinions on a good tranny to throw in the mix. Questions:
- easy to install functional tranny….. preferably with OD??
- best engine mounting methodology?
- I assume install an trans oil cooler…..
- Should I use a Lokar Nostalgia shifter?

Thanks!!!! Maddog

700R4 or stronger 4L80E [requires computer control], both OD ....
need to add aftermarket crossmembers for engine side mounts and trans mount ....
yes must have a trans cooler, best incorporated in the rad ....
Lokar makes good shifters

Bill

Hy Maddoggee1959, this subject is quite a can of worms to discuss,I agree that an overdrive would be the most desirable with todays gas prices. That leaves the 700R4 with mechanical control, or the 4L60E, 4L65E, or the 4L80E with computer control (stand alone controls can be purchased for the "E" series transmissions). None of these transmissions would allow the factory rear engine mount to be used, and the front engine mounts should be changed to use the side mounts which would mean some fabrication, either an aftermarket frame crossmember with the mount bosses incorporated into it or individual mounts projecting from either frame out towards the engine. You would also have to install an aftermarket crossmember to support the rear of the transmission and possibly remove some or all of the factory engine rear crossmember. You could also look for a factory Dual-Range Hydramatic and install an independent overdrive unit such as a Gear Venders. I hope that gives you some food for thought.

I just had to make the same choice. On Friday I ordered a 700r4.

A little spendy but I like Gear Vendors OD unit, if money is no object, and it is bullet proof, very trick too.

700r4.

daren

700r4

Agreed. It's more or less the same as the old B/W overdrive that was used behind the 3 speeds originally. But does Gear Vendors even have one for the old Hydramatic?

Gear Vendors uses the Laycock overdrive that was used behind Jaguar, Triumph, Volvo, and several other European cars. It has no resemblance whatsoever to the B-W overdrive unit. Good item, but horrendously overpriced! I'm getting set up to add a Laycock unit to my 85 Ford E350 mini-motorhome behind a 460 V8 with a C-6 3 speed. It will be a divorced unit mounted on crossmembers between the main transmission and the rear axle like a transfer case.
Jerry

I guess I meant that the basic operation is similar. Looks like I need to school myself on them before I comment. (dadnabbit Jerry, you're making me learn stuff! :D)

"Once a teacher, etc.- - - - -" Lots of us old retired classroom dictators have a tendency to walk off and leave our mouths running!
Jerry

200r has a better first gear. Lots of muscle car guys like em for that reason. Might help with getting the load moving.

A question that needs to be considered is what rear end gearing do you have.

Sometimes the OD doesn't work well with a rear axle that is not geared for it.

I like the 700R4, but I have also become a fan of the 2004R after building a few and installing them.

3.73 and a 200r sounds good

Just remember, the 200 was not designed for any truck use, nor was it made for any sort of high performance use in stock form. The 700, on the other hand, was used not only in high performance and police applications, but also in trucks up to 3/4 ton.

I wouldn't put a stock anything in anything. But I think the 200 can hold up to a stock 350. I just think the 1st gear of a 700 is a tad long. The 1-2 shift is wierd on the 700 IMHO

2004r's in grand national's and turbo regals turned 12's in the quarter. That takes some horsepower to do that.

200 is the same length as a th350 which makes for an easy swap on most vehicles. No driveshaft bs and parking brake cable crud to mess with. With the right kit you can make em bullet proof. But they did handle the grand nationals as stated above.

Turning 12s in the quarter and having a transmission that will handle a load are completely different things. After re-reading what the op is planning to use the truck for (towing), the 200 is not a good choice. It simply is not load rated for that use. As I mentioned, the 200 was never used in a full size truck (some 4 cylinder 2wd S10s did use them). A 700 will live far better in a truck.
Since the ruck is no longer stock anyway, the driveshaft and transmission mounts are not really an issue.

I like the 2004R. Wouldn't be afraid to use it if it's built right.

The 700R4 is good too. But it also has it weaknesses that have to be addressed in a good rebuild.

Built right I wouldn't worry about either transmission.

Used both and have had good results with both.