KJones

There is no doubt in my mind that someone out there has replaced the TH350 in thier C3 with a TH700r4. Being familiar with both of these transmissions it appears to be pretty straight forward project. I would appreciate input from anyone who has done this swap.

Ken

GDaina

If you get the early 700, you don't have to mess with the ECM...Other than that, match up the yoke with the spline. If you can't get a non ECM unit, then you will have to get the wiring harness. I don't know if you have to modify the drive shaft..

redwingvette

It has been done by a lot of the guy's here. I went with the 200R4 because it is an easier conversion. The drive shaft will need to be cut if you use a 700R4 and the trans support will need to be altered. The rear mount is not in the same location as the Th350 or Th400. Bow Tie Overdrives sells the complete setup for both. bowtieoverdrives.com

mrvette

I agree with redwing there, if I have to pull that 700 I have out again, it's going in with a 200, driveshaft to be bought...the 700 is a POS by comparison from what I read.....I allready had to do the damn 3/4 clutches and 1/2 band...

GENE

Jvette73

Do yourself a favor...go with the 200-4R. More direct bolt in. it also seems as though there are fewer failure problems with the 200. Matter a fact I havnt yet heard of any pre-mature failures regaurding the 200. Theres a whole handfull of people who have had failure problems with the 700. I love my 200. I would do it exactly the same again.


[Modified by Jvette73, 8:51 AM 9/21/2003]

The Money Pit

Just did the 700r4 myself,and the install was a snap with all the BowTie supplied brackets,crossmember etc.The transmission is a POS as far as shift timing,and power handling. I've contacted Darrell Young and Art Carr transmissions,and they assure me the 700r4 can be built to support my power levels,but from what I've seen so far out of mine,I doubt it.

If you're running a mild 350 I'd say go for it,the OD gear is great on the highway.If I were to do this again it would be TH400 all the way. :mad

Armstrong

I will do this swap myself using the 200-4-R Trans and as i have awhile before i do, does anyone have a list of donor cars that i need to be looking for to get my prize from???

GDaina

Interesting reading about the problems with the 700. I always thought the 200 was a lighter tranny, was used with smaller motors, like the V-6's and couldn't stand up to the torque. A weekend warrior has a tranny rebuild business on the side, he does hi po mods on 350's 400's, 700's. Dude says the 700 is one sweet tranny, but not cheap to make it chirp, as the parts are expensive.

Jvette73

The best doners for a 200 are Buick GN or Regal T-Type and late model Monte Carlo SS. Theyre found in lots of other cars too but the ones I listed have a special HiPo valvebody. Tranny code on tag for Hipo valvebody is BRF. ill post a more complete list of codes and the vehicles they come from a little later today.


[Modified by Jvette73, 11:09 AM 9/21/2003]

Jvette73

TH-200-R4 ID's:
ID Year(s) Application
KZF Olds 442/Hurst
CZF 85-88 Monte SS
CRF 85-88 LG4 305 powered Monte Carlos/Pont Gr Prix
BRF 86-87 GN/T-Type/Turbo Regals
BQ 84-85 GN/T-Type/Turbo Regals
BR 83 Model T-Types
TAF 89 Turbo Trans Am
OZ Hurst Olds
OM Olds 350 Diesels
OG lds 307
BY V-6 252 Cars
AA and AP Cadillac's

BSeery

The 700R4 is just fine, if you have it built to handle the power.
Don't go buy a bone yard 700 and expect it to work.
BowTie Overdrives and other vendors build these to handle 500 HP+, but that have to be built to handle the performance. Stock they are junk, but built right they can be bullet proof.

Either one you go with, I would stick with Bow Tie overdrives for the conversion parts.

Jvette73

Just make sure that wherever you get a tranny and no matter what one you get that you set up the TV cable properly. Its either right or wrong. No in between. If its wrong it will ruin even a new tranny in no time.

KJones

Thanks for all the response! It appears that the transmission of choice is the TH200 for sure! I have a couple 200's located along with a 700. All I have to do now is a bit of wheeling and dealing.....

I do have one other observation though...... I try to NEVER argue when I ask someone else for advice... I'm going to break my own rule here.... I respectfully disagree that the 700 is a POS.... I built one for my C4 about 35,000 miles ago.... it has a lot more horse power in front of it than the my 79 will ever see and has performed flawlessly....

Thanks again for ALL the great response to my post!!

Ken

UKPaul

Ken,
After a lot of research I went for the 200-4r rather than the 700. The 700 is apparently a stronger unit (stock), but both can be upgraded to handle the sort of power most of our C3's are putting out. The 200 is a far easier swap to perform & it also has a better spread of gear ratios (is it also lighter?). There's a lot of info in the archives on OD trannys.
:cheers:

Budman68

I just pulled my 700R4. It was crap, broke the stator shaff clean in two. What a huge waste of money. If you need parts I have them.

vettedan

Bud,
Glad to see your moving into the 21st century. I Look forward seeing your LS1/6 Speed conversion progress.
Dan