As I mentioned in other postes I just picked up a "68 Firebird project car. It came with a motor and tranny the I won't be using. I sold the motor already and the tranny is a 700r4. I was thinking of maybe putting the 700r4 into my camaro asit will now be strickly a driver. My question(s) is, this tranny has a 4 blade electrical connection on it, does it need a computor to run/shift it? Is there any good how to info out there on how to or what is required to run a 700r4 from a T400? I assume there are several versions of the 700R4 so probably several applications as well. Sorry don't know anything about them and wasn't planning on keeping the 700r4 until I had the brainwave to maybe put it into the Camaro and put my T400 with brake and good converter into the Bird. Thanks for any info/ideas. Cheers!!

I am not an expert on 700's but am building one to put in my 69 at the moment. It does not need a computor to shift it. What are you putting it behind, BB - SB? The later say after 87 up are the better yr. 700's to use. Do some searches on 700's here. There is a lot of info. You will need to swap or modify your crossmember. If you have a horseshoe shifter you can get a direct fit detent and faceplate for OD. Check out bowtieoverdrives website, PATC's and maybe eatmyshift.

a regular 700-r4 runs and shifts on the tv cable. the 4 prong connector is for lockup.it will save on gas mileage but need to know inside wiring to even put a toggle switch or as they had it in those days a vacumn switch for lockup.

OK thanks, I had thought at one time that might be for the lockup and then I forgot about it and was just getting ahead of myself. The firebird came with the crossmember for the 700 so I can use it, it also came with a torque converter that I can use as well. Don't know if it is a lockup one or not, just havn't looked into it as I wasn't going to use it. It will go behind a 410 hp sbc with probably 4.56 or else maybe even 373's as I will pull out the 513's. Also the nos will be coming off as will be more of a driver (but with balls).

ive head that if you cut the wires and put a BB in the hole the lock up will engage as normal because the elctric switch is basically just a check valve

Don't believe everything you hear ! The solenoid for the Lockup can be controlled in many different ways (pressure switch etc.) but, they are controlled electronicly. (at least mine is, and all I have ever seen).

700R4's were made from around 1982 through 1992 give or take. Around 1993 and up they became computer controlled are called the 4L60E. I think now they are up to the 4L70E's now. The early 700r4's tended to have a high failure rate because the stock components were weak. Over the years GM continued to improve the product. Of course ones installed in Vettes were built stronger than ones put in other vehicles. You can get the beefed internals to make it handle your 400 in the aftermarket now.

You do need a some type of power source to operate the lockout torque convertor. Jeg's or Summit can sell the kit to make it work and have the torque convertor lock out at around 45-50 mph. You will also need to set up the TV cable correctly or your transmission will die an early death. Again Jeg's, Summit, or Bowtie Overdrives sells a bracket to set up your TV Cable. The TV Cable controls line pressure in the transmission. It is not just for a kickdown and if not set up correctly will kill the transmission.

Thankyou for the very important info, I will look into the tranny further to make sure it's what I've been told it is. And then I'll make sure I have the correct components to operate it properly and safely. Kind of makes me nervous when dealing with stuff I'm not up on. That's why it's so nice to have you folks as a sounding board. THANKYOU!!