A transmission swap from a TH350 to 700R4 HD on a 1978 CHEVY Suburban

I have a 1978 Chevy Suburban that I use for daily driving to hauling heavy loads up to 8000 pounds (4 TONS). I've gone threw 4 transmission since 2005 when I installed a 305 rebulit. 1st was the one when I got the suburban, the 2nd & 3rd from Auto Zone, and then 4th a rebuilt. When I started to watch Spike TV and the shows from My Power Block Hour that every gear head should watch convence me enough and showed me that and if i wanted a stronger and better built transmission to give the guys from MONSTER TRANSMISSIONS a call. I now have installed an 700R4 HD 2WD with a Super Duty Torque Converter 1650, a Hayden Transmission cooler Kit 15 1/2" x 10 x 3/4", and last a external LOCK-Up KIT. Total transmission fluid now is 13 1/2 quarts. The good the about this swap was that the th350 9" cone was an exact fit to 700r4, which meant that I didn't have to cut the drive shaft....

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• 700R4
• Transmission
• Upgrade

[KingCharles52003]

That old 350 3 speed was ok, but was bad on gas around 5 to 9 mpg. my 700 4 speed has overdrive with elec locking torkconverter that gets around 10 to 14 mpg.I order the xtra deep deep oil pan that hold 2 plus quarts with trans cooler. I'v driven 3,200 mile in 8 months since I installed the 700 trans. The 350 rebuilt trans i had 1,300 in 1 year, yes that was a really bad rebuilt that i tool to a trans rebuilt shop.

[1980zz4]

Lots of different experiences with the 700R4. For sure, there were many problems with three or four years after introduction. However, improvements have been made that now make it a great option for pre-1982 installations/conversions. Lots of really fast street cars are running them without any issue.

Thanks for the heads up with Monster. They won't get my business.

[Vyssockdude1]

Good luck with Monster, they pretty much screwed me over when i bought my trans from them, they wanted more to rebuild the trans than for me to buy one.

[blindskater200]

@cbr900rr919 Not to mention the 700 is an all around piece of shit. When they updated it and went all electronic (4l60E) it was so much better. But still not as good as the turbo 350

[cbr900rr919]

yup im throwing out my 700r4 in my camaro and putting in a th350 lol the 350 is way better than the r4 in a drag race anyway there is so much you can do with a th350 and cheaply to.