[Robertin Austin]

I have a 69 Chevelle Malibu that we swapped the 350 for a 454 a couple years back.
Now I am thinking that the TH350 is not the right tranny for the vehicle.
I am looking for a 4 speed automatic that can handle the 454.
Recommendations for a 4 speed automatic tranny on a budget.

 

[NickeyChevelle]

There are three choices: 200-4R, 700R4/4L60, and the 4L80E. One may as well set up an opinion poll, because each has its supporters.

I suggest that you locate a near-to-you transmission builder and take their advice and have them build one.

 

[toofastforyou]

I have a 700R4 behind my 496... works great!

 

[nashville beth]

I have a 69 Chevelle Malibu that we swapped the 350 for a 454 a couple years back.
Now I am thinking that the TH350 is not the right tranny for the vehicle.
I am looking for a 4 speed automatic that can handle the 454.
Recommendations for a 4 speed automatic tranny on a budget.

The 4L80e is the only OD trans strong enough for a 454 IMHO. If you are on a budget, you might be able to find one from a wrecked Silverado or HD 2WD truck.
There is a stock converter with 2400 stall also available.

 

[lucifershammer]

There are three choices: 200-4R, 700R4/4L60, and the 4L80E. One may as well set up an opinion poll, because each has its supporters.

I suggest that you locate a near-to-you transmission builder and take their advice and have them build one.

I'm happy with my 200-4R behind my 467, and it is the closest direct fit bolt-in for a TH350 replacement.

That said - to the OP, you say you are on a budget. What is your budget?

 

[Kirk's67SS]

I have a 69 Chevelle Malibu that we swapped the 350 for a 454 a couple years back.
Now I am thinking that the TH350 is not the right tranny for the vehicle.
I am looking for a 4 speed automatic that can handle the 454.
Recommendations for a 4 speed automatic tranny on a budget.

How is the Car going to be used ?
- Street & Hwy Cruzin
- Street/Hwy and Drag Strip Runs

 

[NickeyChevelle]

Poll so far:

700R4 2 Votes (mine bolted up with no surgery to the trans tunnel)

200-4R 2 Votes (Lucifer makes a good point: Close to a direct bolt in)

4L80E 2 Votes (massively strong tranny -- will require MAJOR surgery to the trans tunnel)

Like I said... Ask your builder.

 

[DZAUTO]

Of course, a person could always build and install an M22W. Pure bolt in, strong, and it has the whine.

 

[70 Flint $$]

if you don't mind moddin' the tunnel, 4l80e. otherwise, a built 700r4. just my .02c. good luck!

 

[hydro462]

A Turbo 400 with a 3:08 rear end gear....

 

[toofastforyou]

A Turbo 400 with a 3:08 rear end gear....

Lol... ... that's exactly what I had in my car when I bought it and I got rid of both the TH400 and the 3:08 gears...

 

[shovelrick]

Have you thought about a T400 and a Gear Vendors overdrive?

 

[NickeyChevelle]

Have you thought about a T400 and a Gear Vendors overdrive?

An excellent choice that I'd not considered. The strength of the TH400 with an O.D. Nice.

But at 3K just as expensive as a whole tranny.

 

[Kirk's67SS]

With the OP not supplying enough info eg. 454 HP = / how he is going to use the car / current RearEnd Gear Ratio
it is hard for me to give any good recommendation

To give good advise we need good/more info IMHO

 

[shovelrick]

Just as expensive but IMO a very good choice, the only trans upgrade Im considering but I already have an HD T400 from an RV with less than 25,000 miles already in my car

 

[Bronze68]

4L80E 2 Votes (massively strong tranny -- will require MAJOR surgery to the trans tunnel)

WHOA.

This is absolutely NOT true. A 4L80 will fit into a 68-72 Chevelle with NO surgery. Is it a tight fit? Somewhat, but if using the banjo cooling line fittings, it will easily fit without any metal work on the floor pan. I know, because I run one in my 71.

Don’t believe me? Check this out:
69 Chevelle with 4L80 install

Needless to say, you know where my vote lies. Essentially it is a TH400 with overdrive - many of the same parts between them.

If you’re using the car at the strip as well, a TH400 with a gear vendors will reduce the power loss to the rear wheels. But, you will have to hammer the floor pan in a couple spots to clear the GV unit.

 

[cage2592]

If you’re using the car at the strip as well, a TH400 with a gear vendors will reduce the power loss to the rear wheels. But, you will have to hammer the floor pan in a couple spots to clear the GV unit.

My vote is 4L80 as well and it would be from Jakes Trans. I have not personally seen a 'New' GV unit, but I thought someone recently posted that the Gen2 GV are a little smaller and will fit the tunnel without Mods.

Mike

 

[NickeyChevelle]

WHOA.

This is absolutely NOT true. A 4L80 will fit into a 68-72 Chevelle with NO surgery. Is it a tight fit? Somewhat, but if using the banjo cooling line fittings, it will easily fit without any metal work on the floor pan. I know, because I run one in my 71.

Don’t believe me? Check this out:
69 Chevelle with 4L80 install

Needless to say, you know where my vote lies. Essentially it is a TH400 with overdrive - many of the same parts between them.

If you’re using the car at the strip as well, a TH400 with a gear vendors will reduce the power loss to the rear wheels. But, you will have to hammer the floor pan in a couple spots to clear the GV unit.

Great news for those of us who don't absolutely trust our 700R4s. Thanks for sharing. There are so many horror stories out there about hacking up the trans tunnel it's nice to see that we can actually cram a 4L80/4L85 into a Chevelle with only a hammer blow or two. I was absolutely thrilled when my tranny guy fit my 700R4 into my '69 with no mods (except a short trans mount).

 

[Bronze68]

I believe the closest point I have is about 3/4" at a couple of spots, but really pretty good everywhere else. In my experience, you can buy yourself roughly a 1/4" by using a good set of Energy Suspension body bushings. The closest I've seen (with newer factory-style bushings) is about 1/4-3/8" clearance. Natural assembly variation in the body, floor pans, and body bushings from car to car are all going to play a factor to some small degree, so please keep that in mind - but still should be no hammering.

In my opinion, if you're running a torque-laden engine like a 454, you really should (need to) have some good body bushings anyway.

 

[hydro462]

I don't see the need to have all those gears with a big block engine. My 69 el Camino has a stock 1978 454 truck motor, Th400, 2.73 rear end.. Even with low compression, my el Camino is so much fun to drive.. All that torque is so much fun driving around city streets and Blvds and on 87 octane to boot!!

Trying to drive a street car with a engine that was designed for drag racing is misery..

Frankly I think these cars need more work on the suspensions then the drive trains..