I know a lot of people swear by them, others swear at them. But if you've got 'em, how long have they lasted? If they failed, after how long? I'm curious to hear some long-term feedback.
1. What displacement, approx HP/TQ?
2. How many miles (or years or whatever) on the combination?
3. What kind of driving? Daily driven, all street? All track? Both? Sunday driver?
4. Who built the trans? What, if any, extras in the trans?
5. If you did suffer a failure, please describe.
Note: OK, I've seen, read, and heard all the different pros/cons of the 700R4 mated to a Big Block. I am also aware of the different transimission options. And there are plenty threads discussing such. Let's try not to in this thread.:beers:
Nelson V.

And I'll start:
1. 454, pretty mild, unknown HP/TQ
2. I had it about 8K miles and 8 months before it failed. I don't know how long the previous owner had it nor what of driving... (This was a couple years ago. I now have a TH400.)
3. Daily driven, all street
4. Who built the trans? unknown, it came with the car
5. I lost 3-4 gears. TV appeared to be poorly adjusted. No lock-up that I recall.
:beers:
Nelson V.

I built a 1970--SS 396 Sta. Wgn. in 2002--Low H.P.-396 with a 700R4, In 2005 my ego took over so I stuck in a 454 with a mild cam. Q-Jet. (same 700R4)
In 2002 got it running and drove it for about a half hour with the 396 and blew the 700--WHY ? T.V. cable not hooked up- 900.00 screw up. ( I thought it was a kick down cable)
Tranny shop installed a crate 700R4 in 2002. NO PROBLEMS.
It has a 3:08 12 bolt. With the low HP. 396 I was getting 22-23 MPG.
With the 454 at 75 MPH on the interstate the 454 is turning 1950 RPMs.
Drove it last year to CB-07 from Pittsburgh, Pa. to Nashville,TN. W/O the air on it got 19.46 MPG. I drive it as a cruiser, Now and then I mash on it. The 700R4 has been behind two B.B.s and still working.
For a cruiser it will be fine, I do not race mine. I take a lot of long trips with it, I would have second thoughts about a stock 700 for racing. I would get a Camaro or a Vette 700. I also have the Ele. lock-up, Put it in O.D. and drive it like my P/U. (My wife drives the wagon a lot ,I didnt want a bunch of gadgets to make the loc-up work)
Very easy to install-- Stock colum shifter-Done--Stock 307 cooler line (bolt to the 700)--Done--- Move crossmember back and bolt the 700 in--Done--Shorten the shaft about 2" Done--MOST important SET-UP the T.V. cable( It aint rocket science) and ENJOY!!!
Bob

I've had a 700R4 in my 71 1 Ton Longhorn pickup for 6 or 7 years. I have a 402 (stock) in the truck. I pull a 5500 lbs trailer with it every weekend. I had the tranny builder build it for towing.........he knew exactly what I would use it for. It has been flawless. The 402 is getting tired, and I'll build a 454 to replace it sometime soon. Already discussed with the tranny builder, and he says.........."no problem". The 454 will be built strictly as a towing motor.

What kind of donor vehicle did the 700r4 come in?

What kind of donor vehicle did the 700r4 come in?
My 700R4 was already in the Chevelle behind the 454 when I bought it. I have no ide what if came out of.

Anyone else?

1. What displacement, approx HP/TQ? Mine 355, 460/484
2. How many miles (or years or whatever) on the combination? appx 3000
3. What kind of driving? Daily driven, all street? All track? Both? Sunday driver?street/strip
4. Who built the trans? What, if any, extras in the trans?Franks Transmission, 3400 9 1/2" converter
5. If you did suffer a failure, please describe. No Failure


1. What displacement, approx HP/TQ?My builders, 468 600/600
2. How many miles (or years or whatever) on the combination?over 10,000
3. What kind of driving? Daily driven, all street? All track? Both? Sunday driver?Mostly street some strip
4. Who built the trans? What, if any, extras in the trans? He built it
5. If you did suffer a failure, please describe. No Failure

Nelson, I really think it depends on who builds it, and how it is built, meaning using the best and strongest parts.
Also the set up of the TV cable and adjustment is critical.

My builders car is a blown bbc Chevelle and he has over 600hp and no issues or failure.

I would not recomend using a transbrake, but transbrakes are hard on ANY transmission.

I have used and abused mine but my hp and tq are lower than what my builders car.

1. 454 putting out around 450hp
2. Daily driven 15,000 to 20,000 miles per year
3. Daily driven, never sees a track but driven pretty hard. Heavy car, my 4 door scales out at 4200lbs.
4. 1st 700r4 build by a local guy who builds drag trannys for some of the biggest names in drag racing. 2nd one build by myself with every modification under the sun.
5. Both wore out more than failed. The 3-4 clutches in both finally gave up right at 40,000 in both trannys. Never broke a hard part in either, but the 3-4 clutches were just never able to hold up to the torque and weight of my car over the long haul. This is still the problem with the 4l60's and is why all the tranny builders offer the "refresh" deals on those trannys in the Camaro forums.

I really like the 700r4 but would never recommend them at this point since there are much better alternatives. My big problem with the 700r4 is that they are getting hard to find in decent stock condition. You hear so many different stories about them, but remember, these things are subject to wear unlike motors where a good rebuild makes them all new inside. Old trannys have worn valve bodies and loose planetaries. Old 350's and 400's are much simplier parts wise than the 700's. My big problem with the second one was a totally worn out valve body that caused me tons of problems with I got it back together. I swapped out the valve body out of my old 700 and it worked fine but my opinion on the 700 could have been much different if I had not known enough to try a different valve body. After a few different govenor swaps and lots of tweaking with the different spring in the valve body I was generally pleased, but I could never feel really confident in the 700r4 like I can in my 4l80e. If you ever see the 700r4 and the 4l80e internals you would laugh at what the GM engineers did with the 700.
If you have a good core or a new factory replacement and don't drive it that much they still make a nice upgrade from the 350.
Oh, and I hate the 700's first gear. It sucks. The gear was designed to get the old early 80's low power slugs moving and I never liked it in my car. When I moved to my current 4l80e it was like having an old friend back getting back to a sensible first gear.
Hope this helps, good luck!

:hurray:all right then here is the deal i have a 1970 ss 396 car. engene was not an option to buy with this car ,as centamental value would not let this guy i bought the car from part with it .so i bought a 1997-99 7.4 engene and trans of course its computer programed so i need some one whos been there done that. to direct me on where to get plug in wireing for this application or is it in my best interest to go intake and carb

461 appr 550hp 500tq
700r4 bowtie overdrive stage 3 3000 stall lockup converter should hold 600hp
3.90 w 295/50/16
500 miles on it right now only weekend warrior