502 HO: which trans? I know ,Iknow- more ?s! [Archive] - Chevelle Tech

: 502 HO: which trans? I know ,Iknow- more ?s!


Jarret Grathwol
Feb 1st, 00, 4:29 PM
I found a NICE car 1970 red SS with a slightly built 502 HO with a TH350. Is this enough trans to handle it??- I though maybe a TH400 at least or an M-22 4sp.
Also what would be a good street/strip compromise in the rear- it has a 3.31, but that may hurt me at the track, 4.10 may be too much.
Which stall-speed would be good for this application?

sam
Feb 1st, 00, 5:27 PM
Jarret,
I find it very odd that the car has a TH350 trans. This would have NEVER been the original trans for an SS. Yes it could be built to handle the horsepower, but I would want proof of the build up.
My car was not an original SS and it still has a TH350 trans, albeit a very well built TH350 to handle the torque I've got with my 502.
The trans is something that a performance build up might ignore, therefore, are you absolutely sure that the car was an SS to start with. I can't imagine anyone that had a TH400 in the car would replace it with a TH350. The driveshaft, kickdown line, vacuum line, and other things would have all had to be changed to perform that swap. So why would someone install a high performance engine and back it up with a low performance trans?

------------------
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1992 Trans Am Conv(4Sale)
1992 Taurus SHO
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Jarret Grathwol
Feb 1st, 00, 5:33 PM
My bad- the guy said it had the stall from a TH350 (higher) but the trans is a TH400 unit, still sounds funny though- he still has the # matching 396 which may be a good build up to do for my kid bro's Nova.
I thought it was odd cause the 396 had to have a TH400 in it if it was a real SS

lev
Feb 1st, 00, 6:38 PM
I know of some guys that run a TH350 over a 400 in their drag cars because the tranny leches less power than a TH400. It takes a fair amount to build it right, though.

Bill T SS70
Feb 1st, 00, 7:50 PM
If you buy it and get the numbers matching 396, keep it stored for the future. The car is worth a lot more $$$ with a numbers matching 396 engine. A lot of people are pulling their numbers matching engines and installing crate motors so they take the cars out and have fun without worrying about hurting a numbers matching motor.

My $.02

[This message has been edited by Bill T SS70 (edited 02-01-2000).]

Jarret Grathwol
Feb 1st, 00, 7:57 PM
Good point, Bill
It will cost a bit more, but worth it in the long run to have the motor- ideal.
Plus I can teach my kid bro about cars and rebuild it to spec at the same time

rick
Feb 1st, 00, 8:17 PM
Jarret
350's are easy to tell from a 400. The 350 has a rectangular pan that has one corner cut off (4 long sides, 1 short). The 400 pan is shaped very irregular. If you look at it from the right angle, & use your imagination, it is in the shape of Texas (well sort of).
rick

Halldor ragnarsson
Feb 2nd, 00, 1:53 AM
In a recent Hot Rod Magazine,there was this beutiful 70 SS convertible,502 w/200-R4!
I belive that this car was built for GM performance Parts,correct me if i am wrong.
So basicly you could use the 200,if properly built,and it´has a nice ratios also.
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