What I wouldn't have given to have stuff like the internet and this BBS back when I was 17 working on stuff and attending the University or hard knocks.
Probably have a lot less scars, but don't know if I would know / remember half the stuff I do today if it had been that easy back then.
May I suggest that you try to recruit a little help, this is not for the rookie, an buy the way a properly set up 700r (not for $400) will be the best investment you can make, an give you long service, these trannies got a bad rap because the factory did not put much effort in there quality, you know being a chevy an everything you kind of get use to it. I like the chevies because I can build about anything out of the Junk yard because parts are plentyfull, if you don't beleive me go walk a scrap yard, pickup a rock an sling it you'll hit a chevy with the parts you need.