Jack71

This 700R4 from Bowtie Overdrives is turning into a COMPLETE NIGHTMARE. So the new 400 engine runs great thanks to East Coast Supercharging. They worked out the last handful of gremlins.

The transmission has/is/and always will be a friggin nightmare. First gear is almost non-existent, just slips real bad. The trans makes an un-natural sound when shifting. Thinking about just biting the bullet and going back to a TH400. Overdrive is nice, but its gotta work first.

And I'm not calling BTO because they will just blame it on me, as they've done in the past. Its their world, they just let me live here. :mad

page62

Help us out here...and maybe we can help you. Give us some background on your problems with the 700R4. Perhaps there's a local tranny shop that can fix the issues inexpensively. Look around and you'll find an honest shop (they do exist!)

Also, what's your rear differential ratio? A 3.55 or higher ratio can lead to the "nonexistent" 1st gear. The 700R4 has what's practically a "granny" first gear to compensate for the lower ratio of '80s rear ends (think 2.71). That's one reason why many have chosen the 200-4R.

Anyhow, describe your tale of woe so we can better understand your grief :blueangel:

Jack71

Here are some details...

The rear diff is 3.36. The trans is definitely slipping. I can watch the rpms go from 3500 to 5000 under full throttle and no power is getting to the wheels. 2nd,3rd & 4th are slightly better, but still have a serious problem. In 4th, with the torque convertor locked up, is also a weak showing.

Its not an engine issue as the rpms are increasing as expected.

When it shifts, there's an ugly noise.

Before the 400, it had a very tired 350 under the hood. Performance was bad then too, but the tranny seemed to be working ok. Thats about all I can think of that may be relevent...

KenSny

What rpm stall converter are you using?

Do you know what the gearing is on the 700? Has it been modifed so it's different than a stock 700?.

Jack71

Gearing is stock, TC is 2200rpm stall...

Fevre

Not saying you did but if you do not get the TV cable adj properly it will tear up the trans, with a swap it is harder to get it right since you have to get the bracket and cable set up right. I have one in my formula and do not care for it, 1st gear with a 3.73 rear is a little steep then it drops off in 2nd. I played with the TV cable since it would nt hold gears very long when I bought, I then had it hold them too long and the shifts felt like :smash:. I know mine is a hi performance trans but I do not car for it.

page62

Did you install a TV Made EZ kit?

Jack71

I tried not to mess with the linkage during the engine swap. I marked everything up and kept the same intake and carb on the new engine. So in theory, it should be setup the same as before.

Shark Racer

Yeah, I'm getting sick of the 700R4 myself. It seems either to short shift or slam into the next gear based on the TV settings. Really making me want a manual- then I can short shift OR bang gears depending on my mood...

-Steve

Jack71

Page62 -- Yes, it has the TV made EZ kit from BTO...

page62

...and what does BTO say you did wrong?

(They weren't too happy with me either, but despite it all my tranny has survived a year and a half so far...)

BTW: It's true with the TV cable that one click in either direction can mean the difference between short shift and :smash: shifting. But performance trannys are always going to be somewhat :smash:. And remember how close to the tranny you're sitting -- any firm shift is gonna feel like :eek:

Fevre

I'm with Steve on this, a manual trans is soooo much better for high performance driving, you control when and how hard the trans shifts. I do like my auto trans in my Sonoma for daily driving.

Brettmc

Sounds like you need to beg/borrow/steal one of those tranny line pressure gauges and check it during tranny operation. The wrong line pressure will kill a 700 quicker than driving with no fluid. My money is on a bad TV adjustment.

Brett :thumbs:

Jack71

I don't even bother calling BTO anymore. Its too frustrating.

Anyway, I have the pressure cable so I'll check the pressure and see how it compares to my initial numbers...

LOTAHP

I am picking up my '73 tonight from the tranny shop. They have built me a 700r4 with a complete manual valve body and a reverse shift pattern with a 3500 stall converter. They just pulled out my TH350 built the same way (2 years ago) and opened it and found, literally NO wear. They have built both trannies for, keeping in mind to handle 600hp (I'm putting out only 525@ the flywheel), that's why the TH350 showed NO WEAR. They have told me that the 700r4 will hold up, but it's life span won't be as long. If you do not find anyone local these guys are worth the shipping.

SUPERIOR TRANSMISSION 561-637-1143 in Boynton Bch., FL.

I'm racing the car @ Moroso Motorsports Park this Sunday in the ALL CHEVY SHOW
http://www.c3sharktank.com/MisfitRacing/dcp_2314.jpg

KenSny

:iagree: Check the pressure first, adjust the TV a bit each time. I had a 700 in my Camaro that I installed a BM shift kit in because I did not like the stock feel. I also did not like the stock lockup at about 35mph - - the da-m thing seemed to hunt up-and-down all the time if you were in OD around town. The TV cable can make a good tranny seem like a POS if it's not adjusted correctly. It's just possible there may be something in the fluid that is blocking passeges/valves, etc. Have you looked at the fluid and the filter?

BTW: First gear is just about useless...., but OD is great on the freeway!

AND I'd never have my Corvette with anything but a 4-speed.....

The Money Pit

My BTO 700r4 lasted only one week behind my 406,and that was driving like an old lady on the way to church on Sunday for all but the last day of the week.I set mine up as per the instructions and verified the pressure readings with BTO prior to even driving it.The out they have with me is the fact I run an aftermarket aluminum radiator and don't run my trans cooling lines through it.They vioded any warranty I would have had even before I drove it.

Sorry to hear I'm not alone in my ill feelings toward BTO,but hope this will serve as a warning to others.My 700r4 goes in the shop tomorrow for either an overhaul,or replacement with a TH400,pending the tear down inspection.

Jack71

Damn all you with manuals!!! Unfortuntely I'm 6'3" and 80% Leg, so a manual is not in my future.

I just pulled the instructions for recalibrating the TV cable. I'll give that a try and see if it makes any improvement.

Back up on Jack Stands it goes... :smash: then :confused: then :smash: ...

page62

I've gotten to the point where I no longer need to do the pressure gauge thing. If the cable is too tight, the shifts are too high and way too hard. If it's too low, the shifts are low and mushy. It's kinda like Goldilocks and the Three Bears -- you'll know it when "it's just right."

...and we're talking 1 click in either direction that can change the whole behavior of the thing! :yesnod:

Jack71

Cable appears a bit loose. I'll run through the official method the first time. How high is the pressure connection on the trans? I know its somewhere on the drivers side above the linkage. My brain is :sleep: these days...


[Modified by Jack71, 4:40 PM 3/12/2004]