700R4 reliability questions...

[bnoon]

<snip>
early/pre ~87 700R4=should be avoided like the plague.
late 87-92 700R4=non computer controlled (cept for TC lock up) 4spd OD trans.
4L60E=same trans but computer controlled as well as TV calbe control.
4L65E= ditto here but no TV cable and 100% puter controlled (correct me if Im wrong its early in the AM).

The list of trans's above have durability updates the newer the unit is and in most instances the newer hard parts will retro fit into the older units. Im running GM 5 gear planets for the 65E in my 91 700r4 right now after shattering the older 4 gear units...twice. Personally, I dont recommend the 700 to be used in anything that makes 425ish ftlbs of torque and can put that power to the ground. At around that level its not a matter of if it will break but when and the more torque you put through it the shorter its life gets. IMO the 700s internals just cant be made strong enough to reliably handle high HP for any length of time no matter WHO builds it or what kind of magic dust is sprinkled on it (yes, Ive spoken to the REAL Art Carr and he hates the 700 too).</snip>

Here's a snip of a quote from mycyclone. Can anyone tell me why to avoid the pre '87 700R4's? The '84 and previous trans was the one to avoid I thought because of the 27 spline input shaft vs. 30 spline for '85+... Or was that the "~" before the 87 that he means he didn't know what year they went to the 30 spline? Do the 5 gear planets still fit the '86 I have? Is that the weak link? I will only have around 400 HP/TQ with a nice trans cooler and heavy duty frictions, but I want it to last. The car will never see slicks, but it will see the occasional blast down the quarter with street tires.