TH400/Gear Vendors OD

[btop]

Anyone out there ever tried this? Seems like a cool concept. You'd basically get a close ratio six-speed auto.

[RobM]

witha th400 youd get an 8 speed! imagine the look on peoples faces when you explain that one!

[derekf]

Erm... the TH400 is a three-speed auto.

Anyway, several folks over on Team Chevelle have the GV setup and seem pretty happy with it.

[btop]

I was looking into this because I wanted to go with the more durable 400 instead of a 700 or 200. I'm planning on a ZZ502, and I just don't have the same confidence with a 700 or 200 taking the torque. I'd rather spend the $$ once and build it bullet-proof rather than worrying about breaking something. Plus, the 1st-2nd gear difference on the 700 is pretty steep. I calculated that with the 400/GV, I can run 275/40-17's, 4.11 gears and still only turn ~3100 rpm @ 70.

[RobM]

i dont know why i thought a th400 was a 4 speed. oh well my mistake sorry to misinform

[Kenova]

Check these trannies out. It may be easier/cheaper than a GV OD.

http://www.transmissioncenter.net/4L80E.htm

Ken

[btop]

I didn't know you could get a NON-ELECTRONIC 4L80E! I thought you HAD to have a computer or something to use this.

The 400/GV setup would cost around $3400 and 4L80E is $2900.

That's $500 and less complication.

[SDMAN]

I have a T-400 with an Eagle OD bolted in place of the tailshaft. The eagle was a Gear Vendor copy (made in the US) and at the time had some advantages over the GV piece. Dont think they are in business anymore. In my 2nd gen T/A we had to do a lot of cutting and welding to get the OD unit to fit up in the tunnel. A lot. In the end we just cut the factory tunnel out and bent a new (wider) one up and welded it in. So you need to ask GV if the unit will fit in whatever car youre going to put it in without major work.
You will have a similar issue with the 4L80E, but the clearance issues will be up where it attatches to the engine. The surgery will be a lot less than the bolt on OD. I like the 4L80E solution myself.