When is my 700r4 going to explode?

[Mr. Anderson]

Situation....the plan for my Elky has escalated a lot since I got it. Had a tame 350 and th350, then I got a 700r4 for the overdrive. Then I canned the 350 and am having a 383 put together. We're estimating 450hp, and all the torque typically associated with a stroker small block.

The 700 I've got is a pretty much stock transmision. I haven't run any numbers to see exactly what it came out of. I'm putting a lock up kit in it, and a separate cooler (not through the radiator). My builder said with the cam he's putting in, a stock converter will be fine.

The project has gotten to the point of hundred dollaring me to death and I'm broke now. I am stuck with the 700 until I can afford to do a 5-speed swap.

This car will be a daily driver. I'm not planning on flogging it every day though I know I will get into it every now and then. I also know that the transmission is doomed from the start...I just don't have any other choice right now. Question is, 6 months? 2 weeks?



Whats your advice? Anything I can do (aside from keeping my foot out of it) to help extend it's life just a little?

[Jake's Performance]

Besides the cooler not much.

It may hold up fine for some time. It's hard to put any timeline on it.

I've installed new boost valves and pressure regulator springs to ensure good pressure and helped them in the past.

[Mr. Anderson]

I also don't know much about the history of the trans either...except that it was in a street rod and came out for a manual swap. Who knows how hard it was pushed in the past. I guess it's just gonna be a wait and see kinda thing.

[Mingus]

I think a lot will depend on how much tire you have on the ground and how its getting driven. 225's and a peg-leg I would think it would last for awhile. 315's and a posi, about the first time you get on it.

[H2Ogbodies]

imo, the huge drop-off between 1st and 2nd gear is what I don't like about them. That and they aren't as strong as say, a 4L60E where you have more clutchpacks for better holding power and electronic shifting. I would look for a 93-2000 4L60E trans over a 700r4 but if you plan on the manual swap anyway...maybe it's a moot point.