How snappy are the shifts on a 700R4 in stock condition?
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
How snappy are the shifts on a 700R4 in stock condition?
Have a 700R4 in my '80. I was told it was given a recent rebuild by a local speed shop not long before I bought it. Unfortunately the owner retired and I had no way to find out the specifics of what was done to it. I believe it was rebuilt - the case was very clean and the fluid was fresh.
I have -0- prior experience with these units, don't know what a "stock" one feels like vs one that's been enhanced. The shifts get snappier the more throttle you give it, though other cars I've been in that had a shift kit had a *bang* feel to them. I've seen cars that would chirp the tires on the 1-2 shift under a decent amount of throttle. While the shifts on this are crisp, they're not quite like that.
Thoughts, insights?
I have -0- prior experience with these units, don't know what a "stock" one feels like vs one that's been enhanced. The shifts get snappier the more throttle you give it, though other cars I've been in that had a shift kit had a *bang* feel to them. I've seen cars that would chirp the tires on the 1-2 shift under a decent amount of throttle. While the shifts on this are crisp, they're not quite like that.
Thoughts, insights?
#2
Dr. Detroit
Member Since: Mar 2012
Location: New Braunfels Texas
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If it shifts quick then that's good.......headbanger shifts and chirping tires was what I wanted as a teen in the 80's.....but hard on everything just driving around....and it is flatout annoying after a while.
I have owned S-10 and full size trucks with 700r4's in them and they have to be damn near coaxed to shift and I have owned 350 IROC's that felt like a B&M race trans bone stock. I also modified an 87' Vette years ago that I had to put a kit in because it just didn't shift with authority......I have no idea what GM did back then but lets just say there was zero standard.
Jebby
I have owned S-10 and full size trucks with 700r4's in them and they have to be damn near coaxed to shift and I have owned 350 IROC's that felt like a B&M race trans bone stock. I also modified an 87' Vette years ago that I had to put a kit in because it just didn't shift with authority......I have no idea what GM did back then but lets just say there was zero standard.
Jebby
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brassplyer (06-11-2020)
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brassplyer (06-11-2020)
#4
Team Owner
Shift 'smoothness' is best at low throttle. The more throttle that is opened, the faster the clutch shift. It is similar to the shifts felt in the THM-400, although the 400 has a vacuum modulator and the 700R4 has a T.V. cable set up. On the 700R4, the T.V. cable MUST be set up properly to get the shifts you want and to prevent early failures. If shifts are slow/spongy with WOT, you WILL fry the clutches.
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brassplyer (06-11-2020)
#5
Pro
I have a 700r4 with a shift kit. 1-2 shift is solid but after that the shifts are firm nothing to brag about. It's usually the upper gears on these that fail first.
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brassplyer (06-11-2020)
#6
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Okay so it doesn't give you that baseball bat hitting the back of the seat feel even with the shift kit. I would say your description is pretty much what I experience - maybe mine has one. From what I understand the valve body has to be drilled in a certain spot as part of the shift kit installation process - was that done with yours?
Last edited by brassplyer; 06-12-2020 at 10:19 AM.
#7
Pro
Okay so it doesn't give you that baseball back hitting the back of the seat feel even with the shift kit. I would say your description is pretty much what I experience - maybe mine has one. From what I understand the valve body has to be drilled in a certain spot as part of the shift kit installation process - was that done with yours?
The following users liked this post:
brassplyer (06-12-2020)