F4Guy

I have a 79 I'm upgrading with a ZZ4 and BTO 700R4 and wondered if anyone can recommend a transmission shop in the Ft Worth area that has experience with that installation. Or is it something my engine guy can do. He says he can, and I have no reason to believe he can't as I have used him for several years and he is competent and trustworthy. I was going over the installation guide and the guidelines seem fairly custom oriented. Any other words of wisdom would be gratefully accepted!

oldalaskaman

your engine man can do that.

F4Guy

Thanks - that's good for peace of mind.

mrvette

I agree, he should be able.....it's really much of a job.....

diehrd

Be careful and ask him if he knows how to set up the TV cable for the transmission.. If he says yes have him go over it with you .. Because if he does that wrong you will smoke the trans almost instantly.

7T1vette

The only problem the engine guy will have is the T.V. cable hookup to the carb and the adjustment of it. But, that is the most important aspect of that tranny swap.

mrvette

Yeh, that and the driveshaft needs shortened 2.5 inches....

v2racing

If you go with BTO's cross member and throttle/TV cable kit and a Shiftworks shifter conversion kit, it makes the swap very simple except the TV adjustment and shortening the drive shaft. The TV adjustment is actually pretty simple, but it still is where most of the problems arise.

F4Guy

Thanks all. I appreciate the helpful input!

94LT4

http://www.phoenixtrans.com/GM_Transmissions.html

In Weatherford.

F4Guy

Hi,

That's where I was going if my guy balked. Thanks for the reply.

gkull

On a scale of 1-10 the 700r4 swap is a 3-4. The tv cable setup is only a few minutes.

The speedo cable change if you had cruise control, welding or installing and aftermarket cross over tranny mount, shorten and balance drive shaft , and the tranny cooler were the most time consuming.

IMO - even changing the stock shifter is a waste of time and money. Who really needs to be able to put their tranny in first gear, Just buy the tranny with a 5000 rpm governor and let it do an 1-2 auto shift and then you can do manual 2-3 3-4

http://www.superchevy.com/technical/...n/viewall.html

TedH

I installed the Bow-tie OD kit in my '80 L48 in my garage. Was easier than I expected. I bought the "TV made EZ" kit for the carb. My kit was very complete and had detailed instructions. I was an early adopter as I got my "EZ" kit in two stages; the first was the mounting plate and then the throttle calibration kit came out a few months after. My kit is equivalent to the 'stage 2' kit.

Hit me with any questions you have. You can do this for the price of the kit and the price to have the drive shaft shortened by a shop.

TedH

I agree. I even went as far as to buy an '82 shifter. Even it did not go below 2nd gear. I first bought the adapter plate and butchered my original shifter (it would only go as low as 2nd manually when I set it up). I found the conversion a real learning experience and that is why I chose to do myself. I wanted to know as much about the conversion as possible. Be sure to buy the pressure gauge with long hose and adapter. That allows you to measure line pressure as you adjust and test drive the car (from driver's seat).

bluedawg

You can modify the existing plate on the shifter for an extra detent

F4Guy

Everyone has helpful/important information and it's all appreciated. Surgery starts Tuesday. I'll post how it all comes out.
Thanks all !!