Wanted to check with y'all to see if anyone has experience or recommendations regarding an overdrive transmission for a BBC with 650+ HP.

I understand from one of the members that a 700R would not be able to withstand the pounding from that much power.

I'm running a 468 with 13:1 compression, racing fuel thru a Holley 1050. Currently hooked up to a TH400 with trick shift kit on a 3000 stall. It is delivered to a (don't laugh) 10 bolt posi 2:73 on monoleafs with traction bars and air shocks.

The sucker is SCARY when you git on it!!! Won't hook worth a darn but the thrill is to the bone. Nothing like smok'n em up at 75+MPH. It cruises down the road OK at highway speeds, just looking to bump up the top end a bit more with the overdrive. Like to walk away from the Mustang crowd a little faster beyond 80mph.

I welcome any thoughts or comments?

Chris

How about a T56 with Viper internals?
We did one into this SEMA show car we built, and it dyno'd 712 hp at the rear wheels!!

http://www.pro-touring.com/~tylerb/68Camaro.jpg

Tyler

Just finishing reading a link about installing a T56 into a FB but teh link had nothing really available on "how-to's", pricing or availbility/sourcing.

The car is currently automatic. A T56 installation requires converting to a stick, right? No serious objections other than the number of unknow mod.'s required to make it happen. I'm no newbie with a nice tool set BUT welding and machining parts is a bit over my head.

Any pointers as to the process/procedure and round figures for the required budget? Thanks in advance for your feedback and recommendations!!

BTW.. the car you built for the show looks SWEET! I'll bet it drives like a dream too...

Chris

GearVendor makes an over-drive unit that bolts on to what you have now. It shifts electrically unlike the old Hone units which were mechanical, so you can even split gears if'd you'd like.

Not a difficult process to swap over. Here is a great tech article that show's the in's and out's of the swap:
http://www.lateral-g.net/tech_articles/ats_t56_install/

I also sell all the items to convert from an auto to a T56, no welding or machining needed.
http://www.pro-touring.com/~tylerb/T56comp.jpg

Tyler

Looks entising! Read though a couple more T56 install procedures and it's fairly straight forward (or so it would appear).

I just installed a nice factory console in my 68 and it looks like the shifter is going to extend through the center of my console door. :-( Is there any linkage extention that routes the shifter mechanism though the standard opening for a console installation? Hopeful but doubtful...

The price is comparable to add-ons like a Gear Vendor box with over/under drive. That unit would bolt onto the back on my TH400 and handle the torque but it appears to be more designed for a motorhome or HD truck for towing from what I can read.

Thanks so much for the education on your prodcut. I tis definitly in the top running for a replacement unit. The loss of the factory console is really bumming me out though...I love that console!

Chris

i am alomost positive you can use the facotry console i have seen it alot with t 56's

A 4L80E will handle that kind of power but they are not cheap. Check out my prefered transmission supplier:

http://www.phoenixtrans.com

A properly built 2004R should handle the power. As I recall, Camcojb had one built by Bruce Toelle behind one of his motors with some insane amount of power and it held up beautifully. Simple install as well.

A properly built 2004R should handle the power. As I recall, Camcojb had one built by Bruce Toelle behind one of his motors with some insane amount of power and it held up beautifully. Simple install as well.


While a 200-4R can be built for that power level, I would go with the 4L80E and forget about it...
You would invest almost the same if not more money in the 200-4R to make it hold up.

Go with the GV on the back of the TH400. Brutally strong and can leave your currrent tranny were its at. plus if you ever hurt the 400 rebuilds are cheap. If you hurt a built 2004r is gonna get spendy...

The options as I understand them are four:

1) Convert to a T56 transmission - 6-speed manual
- Not sure if I can still utilize my new console
- Cost for the trans and conversion kit is around $3K?
2) Convert to a 200R4 - automatic w/ overdrive
- Utilizes existing console w/ (detent and faceplate swap)
- build-up to handle he power requirements could cost as much as $2K?
3) Install a GV overdrive unit - uses existing TH400
- No change to console?
- Cost is around $2.5K
- not sure of the electronic controls and how easily/automatically the unit
engages??
4) 4L80E replacement - automatic overdrive
- VERY pricey, around $4K+ for a strong unit.
- No idea of the hookup requirements using a console (not seen any conversion kits for that)

Looks like all of the options require driveshaft modifications, so no benefit there.

I'll need more research before I can make a final choice. Your feedback has been excellent, thank you!!

If any of you are running the GV, maybe you could help with the operational questions and your satisfaction levels (Pro's/Con's). The T56 and 4L80E appear to be the premier choices. Those would certainly have to wait for the piggy bank to grow a bit more.

I'll shar what I learn with the further research and I'm sure there will be more questions.

Thanks again to everyone for the feedback and suggestions!!!

Chris

you can use stock console with all of those trans buddy just put in a 200 r4 and has stock 68 console my boss has the t-56 with stock 68 console