storch

I know this tread is for the C3 but the C2 is basically the same.
I recently purchased the car with a mid 80,s low HP 350 and TH350 transmission and i am going to change both at the same time, the car has a fresh 3:36 posi installed, car was originally a 4 speed but that was pulled years ago.

I will be primarily just street crusing and not driving long distances often, i have newer cars for that, but thought the OD my be better for resale
I have narrowed down the motor upgrade the the Blue Print BP3961CTC motor.
Now for the transmission do I go the easy route and buy a built TH350 with 2200 stall for under $1800 or take this opportunity to go with an OD transmission?
I have looked into TCI, Monster, Bowe Tie, and Silver sport, prices range from $2700 to $4100.
they all recomend a different transmission. and parts to complete the install 700R4, 2004r, 4L65E??
The 700r4 is the most popular it seems but it has the biggest ratio gap from 1st to 2cnd.

If anyone has first hand experiance I would appreciate your advice.

Jebbysan

If you have the money......buy the OD trans, the difference is staggering to say the least......do not worry about the 1-2 gear drop, it is wide but millions have used them.
After you sort the driveshaft and linkage...MAKE SURE you buy the proper TV cable bracket and cable itself. The TV cable on these is the pressure control for the valve body and the lifeline of the trans. It also has to be adjusted proper. There are many good instructions and diagrams for this on the net......

http://www.cpttransmission.com/tech_tvcable.htm
https://static.summitracing.com/glob...structions.pdf

Jebby

jackson

427 ... NEW block, more grunt, Lots more potential ... comparing same "dress" levels, about $2300 more
https://blueprintengines.com/product...block-ps4272ct

storch

yes that is another step up but for a street weekend cruser I think the 396ci is pushing the HP limit already, i found the motor shopping is straight forward compared to the transmission options

gkull

I have two vette motors. 396 and a 434 sbc. Like you said they present a problem when it comes to auto trannies. To make the tranny last you have to buy ones rated at 700-850 hp. As my motors became more powerful I trashed my hopped up th350. I jumped on the BS band wagon of 700R4 (from TCI) rated at 500+ hp for BBC power. I only had 355 ci and the first 700 lasted a day or two. The second one they sent me failed the first day I took it to the drag strip. So I went out and bought the most expensive 700R4 I could find with a 1200 dollar 3800 stall 9.5 inch 5 lockup clutches. It never failed and is still in use in someone else's vette 30 years old and 1000's of 1/4 mile passes with slicks. But it did sit on a pallet for a bunch of years when I got smarter! The problem with auto trannies it TQ multiplication. Once you start exceeding 500 hp with big TQ you end up needing bigger tires for traction. Bigger tires induce wheel hop. So you get into the endless cycle of improving everything behind the transmission.

The smarter move was going to a tko600 with a 4.11 rear end .64 OD. With a 3.36 I would install the .82 OD Or even feasibly the tko500 with the lower first gear.

storch

I am considering using CPTransmission for a 2004r conversion, have you used them?

gkull

The man Art Carr sold his biz many years ago and went broke and restarted again. So it's possible to get the power rating he claims. You might just need to add it up. tranny plus TC..... cooler.... I came to the conclusion that manuals last a long time and they are fun

cv67

like the gearspread of the 200r. Wtih big torque youll be smiling

gkull

I would tend to say that you would not want the 400 hp model and you would need the upgraded 600 + HP unit. With some quality 9.5 inch efficient 3500 stall with you motors tq rating. Many years ago I bought a B&M Street fighter or Saturday Night special 3000 stall and car always was doing 3000 rpm because of slip unless you went faster. So it was just creating heat an wasting hp and fuel. An efficient TC even my 3800 stall would only change a couple of hundred rpm cruising down the freeway at 80 mph when I would flip the manual lockup toggle switch

http://www.cpttransmission.com/2004R_trans_400hp.htm