Auto Trannys
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TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,049
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From: Newport News, Va
Auto Trannys Can someone tell me the difference between the TH-400, TH-350, 200-4R, and 700-R4? I dont really understand the differences. Which has the best performance capabilities?
Thanks
Thanks
Re: Auto Trannys The 200 and 700 are OD transmissions. If your looking to do alot of cruising, or highway driving they are more user friendly. If you intend to drag race those same transmissions, they cost about twice as much to prep for drag racing.
TH 350/400 are 3 speed transmissions. They can be excellent transmissions for drag racing if properly built. Some will argue the 350 vs. 400 thing, but I still think that any car that weighs over 3500lbs should run a TH400. I had a built TH350 in a Trans Am years ago, and it kept breaking. Built the TH400 version of it, and it never broke again.
Just my 2 cents.
TH 350/400 are 3 speed transmissions. They can be excellent transmissions for drag racing if properly built. Some will argue the 350 vs. 400 thing, but I still think that any car that weighs over 3500lbs should run a TH400. I had a built TH350 in a Trans Am years ago, and it kept breaking. Built the TH400 version of it, and it never broke again.
Just my 2 cents.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 521
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From: Farmingdale NJ
Re: Auto Trannys To further things; the 4L60 is an electroicly controlled Th700, and the TH700 is an overdrive 350 in essence. The 4L80 in the truck is basicly an overdrive TH400.
As far as the 350's and 400's being cheaper to build up, I don't know about that. I can order about $700 worth of parts for my 4L60 and get it mighty damn strong. The TH350 and TH400 setups I've seen for the LS1 F-bodies are rediculous! On the order of $2500+. True the 350's and 400's are dirt cheap to build internally, by the time you get the bellhousing adapter, flywheel, crossmember, shifter or linkages, driveshaft, etc the cost really goes through the roof. I mean, go to Yank's site and price a built 4L60 compared to a full 350 setup. IMO all you're going to loose is overdrive, TC lockup, and an extra $1,000 from your wallet going with a 350. It's essentially the same trans minus the modern ameneties, for more $$$.
I agree 100% though, for durability the 400 is king, unless you have the HP for a Powerglide or the $$$ for a 4L80 and don't mind modifying your floorpans and the extra weight. To switch from a 4L60 to a 350 is a waste IMO.
As far as the 350's and 400's being cheaper to build up, I don't know about that. I can order about $700 worth of parts for my 4L60 and get it mighty damn strong. The TH350 and TH400 setups I've seen for the LS1 F-bodies are rediculous! On the order of $2500+. True the 350's and 400's are dirt cheap to build internally, by the time you get the bellhousing adapter, flywheel, crossmember, shifter or linkages, driveshaft, etc the cost really goes through the roof. I mean, go to Yank's site and price a built 4L60 compared to a full 350 setup. IMO all you're going to loose is overdrive, TC lockup, and an extra $1,000 from your wallet going with a 350. It's essentially the same trans minus the modern ameneties, for more $$$.
I agree 100% though, for durability the 400 is king, unless you have the HP for a Powerglide or the $$$ for a 4L80 and don't mind modifying your floorpans and the extra weight. To switch from a 4L60 to a 350 is a waste IMO.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 9,246
Likes: 3
From: Troy, AL
Re: Auto Trannys A waste to go from a 4L60-E to a 350? I'm not sure I'm following your logic here. For example...
I ran a well built 4L60-E down to a 10.06 in the 1/4. But that was as far as she would go. I was lucky to get 25 passes out of it between rebuilds. This was with about 500 RWHP or a little better. Then we got an old TH350 out of a junkpile (free but it's not uncommon to find 'em for $25-50), ordered up about $1500 worth of parts and built it. That tranny saw many low 10 and high 9 second passes and never fried the first clutch. It's still in the car in fact.
There is simply NO comparing the strength of a well built TH350 to a well built 4L60-E. Some folks even believe a well built TH350 to be just as strong as most TH400s while being a good bit lighter and more efficient. I saw quicker times with my 350 than with my 4L60-E despite it having a gearing disadvantage (2.75 1st gear compared to the 4L's 3.06.)
A TH350 is an awesome transmission if done correctly.
I ran a well built 4L60-E down to a 10.06 in the 1/4. But that was as far as she would go. I was lucky to get 25 passes out of it between rebuilds. This was with about 500 RWHP or a little better. Then we got an old TH350 out of a junkpile (free but it's not uncommon to find 'em for $25-50), ordered up about $1500 worth of parts and built it. That tranny saw many low 10 and high 9 second passes and never fried the first clutch. It's still in the car in fact.
There is simply NO comparing the strength of a well built TH350 to a well built 4L60-E. Some folks even believe a well built TH350 to be just as strong as most TH400s while being a good bit lighter and more efficient. I saw quicker times with my 350 than with my 4L60-E despite it having a gearing disadvantage (2.75 1st gear compared to the 4L's 3.06.)
A TH350 is an awesome transmission if done correctly.
