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Car Forum / Chevrolet / Chevrolet Trucks / September 2004

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OT: Change TH350 to TH400

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Big Al - 16 Sep 2004 06:31 GMT
Sorry for the off topic post. I have a 73 Nova 454 with a TH350
transmission. What would I need to change to go to a TH400?

Al

62 Chevy II, 406 SBC, TH400, 9" Ford rear.
73 Nova, 454, TH350, 9" Ford rear.
GMC Gremlin - 18 Sep 2004 00:10 GMT
TH350 is shorter than a TH400, so you would need to shorten the DS. You
would need to move the cross member back I believe 3.5". You would also need
to get your head checked, because the TH400 is a problematic transmission
that chews it's self up internally (literally, and NOT just the clutches)
where as the TH350 can be built into an unbreakable monstrosity and the
TH700R4 isn't far off.

GMC Gremlin

> Sorry for the off topic post. I have a 73 Nova 454 with a TH350
> transmission. What would I need to change to go to a TH400?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> 62 Chevy II, 406 SBC, TH400, 9" Ford rear.
> 73 Nova, 454, TH350, 9" Ford rear.
\ - 18 Sep 2004 01:31 GMT
> TH350 is shorter than a TH400, so you would need to shorten the DS. You
> would need to move the cross member back I believe 3.5". You would also
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> GMC Gremlin

Ya got it backwards bud, the TH400 is a much stronger transmission than the
TH350 or the TH700R4.  How many street/strip machines run 350's as opposed
to 400's?

He'll also need to wire-in a kickdown as the TH400 has an electric kickdown
whereas the TH350 has a cable-actuated kickdown.

Doc

>> Sorry for the off topic post. I have a 73 Nova 454 with a TH350
>> transmission. What would I need to change to go to a TH400?
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
>> 62 Chevy II, 406 SBC, TH400, 9" Ford rear.
>> 73 Nova, 454, TH350, 9" Ford rear.
GMC Gremlin - 18 Sep 2004 01:50 GMT
I just ran a google search and could not find it. But I swear I remember a
post from Gary about how there is a shaft within the TH400 that can chew out
it's carrier & the case. I was able to find one problem from gary:
"the 400, while sturdy, requires a LOT more care in rebuilding, especially
older units...........center support-to-case wear
will kill the intermediate and direct clutches in short order if not
addressed properly, and end-play is critical"

But I also remember him bashing it (quite severely?). Guess it's just me
that remembers him. However I have heard allot of people say that it is a
great tranny. But in my defense, allot of people say that K&N is great. And
insist that a "bigga intake" is essential....

GMC Gremlin

> > TH350 is shorter than a TH400, so you would need to shorten the DS. You
> > would need to move the cross member back I believe 3.5". You would also
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
> >> 62 Chevy II, 406 SBC, TH400, 9" Ford rear.
> >> 73 Nova, 454, TH350, 9" Ford rear.
el Diablo - 18 Sep 2004 04:06 GMT
All of the 60's and 70's era GM muscle cars that I owned that were automatic
all had the TH400 in them. That transmission can take some serious abuse
trust me. ;-)

1968 Pontiac GTO  400 Cu In 350 HP
1969 Olds 442 400 Cu In 350 HP
1971 Chevy Nova  350 Cu In 330 HP

Brian

> I just ran a google search and could not find it. But I swear I remember a
> post from Gary about how there is a shaft within the TH400 that can chew out
[quoted text clipped - 41 lines]
> > >> 62 Chevy II, 406 SBC, TH400, 9" Ford rear.
> > >> 73 Nova, 454, TH350, 9" Ford rear.
\ - 18 Sep 2004 05:18 GMT
>I just ran a google search and could not find it. But I swear I remember a
> post from Gary about how there is a shaft within the TH400 that can chew
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> GMC Gremlin

Look at it this way...................put a bone-stock TH350 behind a 454
and watch it grenade quite quickly.  Put a bone stock TH400 behind a 454 and
it'll run forever.  The TH350 does require less power to drive it, so it is
a more efficient means of getting flywheel power to the rear wheels.

I remember the post to which you are referring; he wasn't really bashing it,
just pointing out the one major flaw in its design.  Hell, if I worked on
blown up trannies all day I'd likely have some nasty things to say about
them as well!

Doc

>> > TH350 is shorter than a TH400, so you would need to shorten the DS. You
>> > would need to move the cross member back I believe 3.5". You would also
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>> >> 62 Chevy II, 406 SBC, TH400, 9" Ford rear.
>> >> 73 Nova, 454, TH350, 9" Ford rear.
GMC Gremlin - 18 Sep 2004 17:01 GMT
> Look at it this way...................put a bone-stock TH350 behind a 454
> and watch it grenade quite quickly.  Put a bone stock TH400 behind a 454 and
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
>
> Doc

I just also remember him saying it was better to build a TH350 up than a
TH400 because of those. Just my $0.02 DEFINITELY not a "tranny" guy!

GMC Gremlin
el Diablo - 18 Sep 2004 18:11 GMT
> > Look at it this way...................put a bone-stock TH350 behind a 454
> > and watch it grenade quite quickly.  Put a bone stock TH400 behind a 454
[quoted text clipped - 15 lines]
>
> GMC Gremlin

There are some that prefer the TH350 to the TH400 in a racing or performance
application. As I've been told that the TH350 has a lower 1st gear than the
TH400. And if one wants to they can build the TH350 to be pretty strong. But
in stock forms the TH400 is much stronger, probably when both are built up
as well.

Brian
TranSurgeon - 19 Sep 2004 01:40 GMT
> > > Look at it this way...................put a bone-stock TH350 behind a
> 454
[quoted text clipped - 23 lines]
> in stock forms the TH400 is much stronger, probably when both are built up
> as well.

In 'stock' (NEW, no case-to-center-support slop, no case lugs chewed up by
center support, all bushings in good shape) the 400 is heftier than a 350

However, the torque converter in a stock 400 is pretty 'doggy' (loosely
coupled), at least I feel it is

A properly rebuilt 400, if one can find a good case, good center support,
wants to replace EVERY bushing in it, pays meticulous attention to end-play
(both front and rear, the 400 has two separate end-play adjustments and
requires a lot of checking on this), and if you put either a good custom
converter in front of it, or use the AT-540 Allison converter for everyday
use, it will be marginally better (IMO) than a 350

A 350, on the other hand, can pretty much be tossed together from across the
room, mated with the stock '4701' 'truck' converter, and give the 400 a run
for its money

a 700 is a 350 with a different arrangement of the gear train, lets you run
a higher (numerically) rear gear and still get resonable mileage via OD in
4th

the 700 does REQUIRE the lock-up to be functional, ot it will toast very
quickly at highway speeds
GMC Gremlin - 21 Sep 2004 02:52 GMT
> In 'stock' (NEW, no case-to-center-support slop, no case lugs chewed up by
> center support, all bushings in good shape) the 400 is heftier than a 350
[quoted text clipped - 19 lines]
> the 700 does REQUIRE the lock-up to be functional, ot it will toast very
> quickly at highway speeds

Okay. I don't think I have ever gotten this quite right in my head. A
TH700R4 has the following gear arrangement:

1-2-3-4 and LOCK UP. And from what you just said, if I choose "3" instead of
"OD" my TC still locks up (or should)?

Have you ever heard of or installed the kits that allow you to select any
gear in the TH700R4? I've heard of these but I have never really read about
them.... couldn't find anything. It is supposed to allow you to choose any
gear you want, so if you want to START in fourth - then you can. I always
feel that my truck would have allot more "romp" if when I punched the gas,
it didn't kick down to first gear or whatever the hell it does (while
revving to the moon). If it acted more like a manual....

GMC Gremlin
\ - 21 Sep 2004 03:49 GMT
> Have you ever heard of or installed the kits that allow you to select any
> gear in the TH700R4? I've heard of these but I have never really read
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
>
> GMC Gremlin

It's called a manual valve body.  Makes it essentially a standard
transmission without a clutch and with a torque converter.  About $300 for a
TH350 or TH400, $400 for a TH700R4 in Jegs or Summit.

Doc
GMC Gremlin - 21 Sep 2004 04:09 GMT
Does it allow automagic operation as well?

GMC Gremlin

> > Have you ever heard of or installed the kits that allow you to select any
> > gear in the TH700R4? I've heard of these but I have never really read
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> Doc
\ - 21 Sep 2004 16:21 GMT
> Does it allow automagic operation as well?
>
> GMC Gremlin

Some do, some don't, depends on which you buy.  Some are 100% manual, some
will still give you automatic shifts so long as the gear selector is in the
highest gear when you start moving.

Doc

>> > Have you ever heard of or installed the kits that allow you to select
> any
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
>>
>> Doc
GMC Gremlin - 21 Sep 2004 23:52 GMT
> > Does it allow automagic operation as well?
> >
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> Doc

Well the surgeon doesn't have any experience with them, what is your
opinion?

GMC Gremlin
\ - 22 Sep 2004 05:16 GMT
> Well the surgeon doesn't have any experience with them, what is your
> opinion?
>
> GMC Gremlin

I don't have an opinion, never used one!

Doc
TranSurgeon - 21 Sep 2004 13:44 GMT
> > In 'stock' (NEW, no case-to-center-support slop, no case lugs chewed up by
> > center support, all bushings in good shape) the 400 is heftier than a 350
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
>
> 1-2-3-4 and LOCK UP.

some shift 1-2-3-4-L

some do it 1-2-3-L-4

and some early S-10's will even lock up in 2 (and with a 2.8 that makes it a
REAL dog)

>And from what you just said, if I choose "3" instead of
> "OD" my TC still locks up (or should)?
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> it didn't kick down to first gear or whatever the hell it does (while
> revving to the moon). If it acted more like a manual....

nope

never tried 'em, probably never will

> GMC Gremlin
 
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