What trans to go with

1stgenxxx

1stgenxxx

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 19, 2005
Location
Hudson
I have a stock TH350 in my truck right now but I'm looking to slowly build something a little stronger. My set up is semi built sbc 350 with I'm guessing around 400ish HP. My axles are tons and tires are 40"s on 17" steel beadlocks. My truck is fairly heavy. Which tranny would I be better off using?
~TH350
~700R
~TH400
After choosing said tranny...what would be the best mods to make for the money. I don't have gobs of cash but I want to build it right.
Are the TH350 and 400 the same length?
 
Since you already have it, build the TH350, it will be plenty to suit your needs, of course the TH400 can be built stronger, you will have more into getting a new transmission, and possibly having to go through it, than building your TH350. The only sense in building the 700r4 is if you intend to drive it on the highway and need the OD. From the description of your rig, I do not believe fuel mileage is your plan.
 
A stock rebuild on that TH350 and you'll be good. Don't make me have to give you a dozen examples of who and what buggy is running said tranny, including myself.
 
I want to go with more than a stock rebuild......Maybe a kit such as this? it has kevlar bands
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-705020/?rtype=10

Stole From Pirate~
to begin answering your first question (how to beef the th-350) rather than argue about what trans is better, the first thing you should do is get the "TURBO HYDRA-MATIC 350 HANDBOOK" by HPBooks, the last 20 pages in this book are worth their weight in gold. ive built a few TH350's for guys in my club and my own trans using this kit with very good results. the next item you may want to get is a heat treated intermediate sprag race. its not absolutely nesisary, but for $55 its worth the extra insurance. next, find yourself a junk 700r4 and rip the center support out of it, as it is much beefier than the failure prone 350 version, and it fits with no modifications. the book goes into detail about drilling clutch basket holes larger for better cooling and so on.- very easy to do. and lastly a good valve body or shift kit to keep line pressures up and firm shifts, along with a good trans cooler. i also highly recomend running a trans temp gauge! heat is the #1 killer. i agree that case failure is 90% due to mounting and/or bottoming out drive shafts(been there) hope this helps.
 
You didnt mention what case your running as the 350's and 400's have different splines on the output shaft.
 
Just keep it cool, 350 should be ok.
 
paradisePWoffrd said:
hes running the 205... I say th350 rebuild like said on pirate, and maybe even swapping in a lower 1st gear... and possibly a RMVB
Click to expand...
Which one??? The spline count on his 205 is gonna dictate what trans he will run unless he plans on changin it.If his is 27 spline he probably needs to stay with the 350 unless he wants to have his case bored,find an adapter and input to go with a 400.
 
Franklin said:
Just keep it cool, 350 should be ok.
Click to expand...
Yep, one of the best mods you can do to keep an Auto alive, especially in the conditions wheeling puts them in is to install an over sized transmission cooler.
 
I have a 10x12 cooler with a 12" electric fan on it.......plumbed with metal line to the back of my cab
 
Back
Top