[cdnpont]

Team,

I'm looking at buying a TCI Streetfighter 700R4 for my project. I'm in Southern Ontario. My plan is to drive down to Summit in Akron and pick it up as well as do some "shopping" there. Their price is right within my budget and I can't have one built up here for less, in fact it would cost me a pile more.

Should I beware of anything here? Are they a good rebuilder?
Any input is appreciated?

Cheers, Mark.

[South Side Goons & Hitmen]

I have heard good things about TCI.

[kustomwerker]

mark if you are putting a pile of power down, than the 700 might not be the choice for you...what kind of car???how much power???what gears???the 700 is good until you get to 500 or so horse, and then find another candidate...

[pdq67]

Ditto to me too Kustom!!

pdq67

[68resurrection]

hey, sorry for cutting in on this thread. so your saying that a this tranny will work fine for a 327/350 motor? i was thinking about doing this change over myself. im a few months off, but im still wondering about it now.

[cdnpont]

Kustomworker,

It's only going to see max 380FT/lbs tq in the near term. I'm starting with a crate HO 350 with a Edelbrock 600 carb.
It's a big 69' "B" body rag..4000 lbs with a 12 bolt 3.73. Obviously not a Camaro but she'll still be sweet. !

Hell...It's actually a 69' Canadian Pontiac Parisienne Ragtop (Impala chassis) undergoing a body off. I come here for the drivetrain info mostly, but enjoy all the forums. Because this site involves the most popular GM muscle (Camaro) this is the best place for drivetrain information, and much of it is relavent to the big car anyway!

Am I still allowed here?

Cheers, Mark.

[South Side Goons & Hitmen]

If you are going to have around 400 horsepower/400 ft. lbs torque the 700R4will work great. When you get over 500/500 it needs to be built like a full race trans with hardened input shaft, drum, full manual valve body and the whole works. Same goes for 2004r. If you are going to use a 700r4, get the one made from the l1984 & later or was it 1987 & later with 30 splines. The 1982 & 1983 versions with 27 spline input shaft was junk.

I like the 4L80E but it's HUGE money and it needs a computer to run it. If overdrive is not a concern there is nothing better than a tried & true durable THM400.

Lastly, the technology has improved dramtically with 700R4's & 2004R's. They can me made to take more than 500/500 but must be built to death from front to back. 700R4's in some cases can go as high as 800HP, I'm not sure on the torque. But that will cost you triple what a normal 700R4 goes for and double what a normal 2004r goes for. Long live the THM400!!

[kustomwerker]

mark, whatever you drive is fine with me...i cant afford a 1st gen, so i`ve got a 2nd gen t top ride...whatever keeps you in the hobby man...i think for a car like yours where weight is an issue, the 700 will be better than say a 2004r because of the deep(3.08:1) first gear...it`ll really help get you outta the hole...when you talk to the tci guys, get a converter loose enough to get you outta the hole also...(i would think 1800 would be good)...keep in mind that these trannys are prone to failure due to shock loads, so firm shifts are good...bone rattling shifts are BAD...put a good tranny cooler on it, as heat is the number 1 cause of transmission failure...tci is a very reputable builder, and you should be really happy with their products as long as they are installed right...(proper tv setup)...good luck, and i hope you`ll keep us updated with the royal poncho...

[cdnpont]

Thanks for the replys guys,

Yes, I'll be installing a good trans cooler without a doubt!

So you think a stall around 1800 would be a good choice for the curve of a HO 350, 4000 lbs with 3:73's? I have no idea where to start with that choice. I will be going with a lockup though. Would you go with a TCI converter as well?
I think any full restomod today should include a overdrive trans, I plan on actually driving this car on long summer trips.

Have you seen this months HotRod magazine? It has a very good article on the 700R4 and 4L60.

Cheers, Mark

[travis]

I had the 700r4 in my '86 3/4 ton truck (4700 pounds with driver ) built by a local shop. Upgrades included a "beast" drive shell (tranny shop said this is the first thing to fail in most heavy applications), a trans-go shift kit (the best on the market in many peoples opinion), a corvette servo assembly, and a number of other beef up mods. Price was about $900 installed with a rebuilt stock replacement torque convertor. I am using a BTO (Bow Tie Overdrives) EZ-TV cable/bracket setup and EZ-Lockup kit because I replaced the dead factory q-jet with an aftermarket intake and 600 edelbrock carb. TV cable setup is absolutely critical with one of these tranny's. The engine makes about 375/390 "magazine" horsepower/torque. I pull a 4000+ pound camping trailer all the time with it on fairly long trips, tow cars, tractors, etc, and so far after about 4 years of service it still works great. Unless you are doing a lot of drag racing with nitrous, I doubt your tranny will ever see loads like mine does. At this power level, a 700r4 can live a long happy life.
My only complaint with the tranny is the HUGE 1st-2nd gear gear spread, as it really makes the rpms drop when towing a heavy load. Other than that, I'm quite happy with it.

[jaguareats]

As for the torque converter give tci the cam specs hp rating rear ratio and what you plan on doing with the car. they probally got the same setup up as me. and im a small shop. you probally good with a stock torque converter from a late model corvette or camaro which what they call is a b-stall which is 2000-2100 stall. cause once you in lockup its like a clutch in manual you locked motor and trans 1 to 1. also get converter from them if buying trans cause any problems with warranty they will say well trans not under warranty cause converter failed and ruined there trans now pay me again lol.

[South Side Goons & Hitmen]

If one puts a full manual valve body in a 700R4 does that mean you don't have to worry about the Throttle Valve cable set up?

[kustomwerker]

ssg, yes...there is no tv cable in a full manual vb...it eliminates fluid paths to the governor i believe, and tv system completely...with a loose converter, you get softer shifts under stall speed too!!!but over stall, she will hit as hard as she can every shift...cool feature...i had it in my th350, but went recently to a 2004r in my 79...

[fatblock]

Originally Posted by cdnpont

Team,

I'm looking at buying a TCI Streetfighter 700R4 for my project. I'm in Southern Ontario. My plan is to drive down to Summit in Akron and pick it up as well as do some "shopping" there. Their price is right within my budget and I can't have one built up here for less, in fact it would cost me a pile more.

Should I beware of anything here? Are they a good rebuilder?
Any input is appreciated?

Cheers, Mark.

Gday Mark.
I have a TCI streetfighter 700r4 behind the 427 BBC in my 68 Camaro.It is the 30 spline lock up version.I have no issues with this trans and street rubber with 3.73/1 12 bolt.The auto/manual feature is a nice bonus also.Just know that this is a performance trans for the street and does have an aggresive shift....barking the tires with minimal throttle input.My BBC knocks out 550 hp.With street tires...I feel this trans will survive if kept cool.