700R4 Shifter/ crossmember?
02-23-2008, 05:31 PM
#1
Burning Brakes
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700R4 Shifter/ crossmember?
I have a 700R4 for my friends 81 L82, that has a lock-up TH350, I know the 82's with crossfire had 700's so it should bolt right on. Now, he argue's with me that the shifter is the same but I disagree, the 700R4 has to have an extra slot in the shifter and I doubt it was included in the 3 speed (th350/th400) set-up's. Can anyone verify this? Also does the crossmember also have to be from a 82? Any info on this swap would be greatly appreciated!
02-23-2008, 05:41 PM
#2
Team Owner
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You're both right. There is an extra noth in the gate, but it will bolt up and work with your stock shifter. You just won't be able to shift manually into 1st gear...2nd would be the lowest you could go.
As far as the cross member, going to a TH700R4 from a TH350 will require a different cross member. You can get one from BTO out of California.
As far as the cross member, going to a TH700R4 from a TH350 will require a different cross member. You can get one from BTO out of California.
02-23-2008, 05:43 PM
#3
Team Owner
Short form answer, not easy dooable....the driveshaft needs cutting...the mount needs moved, maybe the cross support which then maybe affect the exhausing system...and that tires you out...
electrics are no sweat...methinks the TConverter pattern on the flex plate is a bit differant...but you CAN elongate the holes...or maybe there is another set punched allready....
everyting else should fit ok....
IMO, a better fit is a 200 4r it's a direct plug in..pretty much....
electrics are no sweat...methinks the TConverter pattern on the flex plate is a bit differant...but you CAN elongate the holes...or maybe there is another set punched allready....
everyting else should fit ok....
IMO, a better fit is a 200 4r it's a direct plug in..pretty much....
02-24-2008, 04:18 PM
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Drifting
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St. Jude Donor '07
The 700R4 will require shortening of your current drive shaft by 3 inches. You will need your existing TH350 tranny yoke for the 700. DB is right about using your stock shifter. I think I have read that some have actually elongated the stock shifter to get into low. I went with the Shiftworks conversion. There is an alternative to buying a whole crossmember too. All you need is a modified bracket like the one pictured. You can PM me for more info if you like.
02-24-2008, 08:13 PM
#6
Le Mans Master
You can mod the shifter to add the extra notch or get a new detent plate from BowTie. The driveshaft will have to be shortened or use an 82 driveshaft (this only works on the aluminum differential cars, 80-82). The original yoke will work. You can either mod your crossmember or use a BowTie or similar unit.
02-24-2008, 08:22 PM
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Burning Brakes
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Thanks for the replies! I also have a built 2004R but that one will cost him more! With the 2004R I guess he wouldn't need a crossmember, but maybe just a driveshaft? Thanks again guys!
02-25-2008, 11:07 AM
#8
Drifting
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With the 200 you can use the stock driveshaft (unaltered). I think you will need to modify or change the cross member.
03-13-2008, 04:05 PM
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Heel & Toe
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I recently changed out my TH350 for a 700R4 and as you mentioned, lost 1st geat. Any suggestions on how to get it back? Does anyone make an adapter or conversion kit to reclaim my low gear? Thanks!
03-13-2008, 05:55 PM
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Heel & Toe
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12-29-2014, 08:44 PM
#15
Melting Slicks
Well You didn't loose 1st Gear, You just can't manually down shift into it. From a standing start the trans is all ready in 1st. I had a 700 with the same situation for 20 years and never once found a scenario where I missed not being able to down shift into 1st. Auto Cross included. However as mentioned above there are now ways to do it with the stock shifter.
12-30-2014, 11:59 AM
#16
Melting Slicks
Its been a lot of years since I put the 700R4 in my '79 and I've since replaced it with a TKO-600 so I'm not 100% sure of my answers, but here goes. As I recall the '82 Corvette shifter did not permit shifting into first gear. The shifter was the same as previous years, but was numbered 2, 3, D. I used an aftermarket conversion kit to convert my shifter to engage all four gears, and then had a custom indicator plate made up. As for the crossmember, if you have the correct tailshaft housing for the Corvette, you just need to get the transmission mount bracket from an '82 and everything bolts into place. That's what I did. You do have to shorten the driveshaft, and it is also necessary to relocate the pulley for the parking brake cable. You also have to get creative with the exhaust as the stock exhaust won't clear the 700R4. I redid mine a couple of times and wasn't happy with the result until I modified the crossmember to move the hole for the exhaust pipe farther away from the midline of the car to get more clearance. The biggest hassle with the 700R4 is setting up the TV cable. Bowtie Overdrives probably has the best explanation of how to do it using a pressure gauge on the transmission.
