Drag Racing Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

th400 guys and weekend cruising

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 06:30 PM
  #1  
SPRAYED Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Default th400 guys and weekend cruising

How many guys have a th400 and actually drive them around A LOT.

what is your setup and how much power do you make?

I have a mild cam setup with 3.23 gears with 275/50/15 tires and boosting the car but the setup is not in yet. SOme say I will be fine driving it with the trans and others will say it will blow the tranny. Which is true?
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 06:40 PM
  #2  
Doug G's Avatar
10 Second Club
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 195
From: Harford Co. Maryland
Default

I don't understand the question....people have driven for unknown amount of miles on 350th/400th/PG's with no real issues in stock form...sure some needed rebuilt due to wearing out from no maintenance/and other issues.
Just because it's behind an LS motor, it doesn't mean it will fail quicker.
As long as the tranny temps are kept in check, along with fluid and filter changes, it should live happy.
Now it should have been built to handle the power you'll be throwing at it to start with also.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 06:47 PM
  #3  
SPRAYED Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Default

it will support 1200hp easily. A lot of people just say that running it N/A will blow the tranny up and make it not last long at all. It will just destroy the trans because im running it n/a with a 3.23 gear and a mild cam on a 113lsa
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 06:55 PM
  #4  
SuperSlow02's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 0
From: Cape Girardeau, MO
Default

Trans temp will kill any transmission. I run a cam/spray set up with 4.10s/28s and drove it round trip 60+mi to the track a few times and it was fine...annoying, but fine. On a boosted set up with a 3.23 gear it wouldnt be bad at all. If its just a week end cruiser, I wouldnt think twice.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 06:55 PM
  #5  
95killerz's Avatar
12 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
From: Newton, MA
Default

Like posted above keep it cool it should live a long and healthy life. You have to remember these 400s came behind big blocks and usually paired with steeper gears like 3.73s and 4.10a
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 07:10 PM
  #6  
SPRAYED Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Default

I have a cooler for it and thats bout it
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 07:49 PM
  #7  
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 953
From: No VA
Default

I've had no problem driving mine... I love the 400! 650+hp, 3.70 gears, 275/50-17 tires, B&M cooler. Drive it an hour and a half to the track, all around town, highway, etc. Cruises about 3,000 RPM with the 6L80 I cruised about 2,600RPM so not much difference really.
Reply
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 10:08 PM
  #8  
SPRAYED Z's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 360
Likes: 0
Default

anything else I should know?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-7

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-8

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 1, 2012 | 10:46 PM
  #9  
Packy's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,151
Likes: 0
From: Surf City, NC
Default

I drive mine all the time. I drove it from Florida to NC and back to FL before. Just get a big trans cooler and change your fluid out every year and you will be fine.
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 10:57 AM
  #10  
BlackScreaminMachine's Avatar
Internet Mechanic
20 Year Member
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 9,830
Likes: 2
From: Wallingford CT
Default

Originally Posted by SuperSlow02
Trans temp will kill any transmission.
Exactly, having a guage for the TH-400 is considered mandetory for regular street driving.

As for the amount of power the trans can take, it all depends on what parts are in there. TH-400 are strong but has limits and depending on the set up and use some go right to the Power Glide, but some want 3 gears.... all depends on what you can handle.
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 03:44 PM
  #11  
BAIN's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth, TX
Default

Originally Posted by SuperSlow02
Trans temp will kill any transmission. I run a cam/spray set up with 4.10s/28s and drove it round trip 60+mi to the track a few times and it was fine...annoying, but fine. On a boosted set up with a 3.23 gear it wouldnt be bad at all. If its just a week end cruiser, I wouldnt think twice.
What cooler are you running? What speed/rpm are you turning? I have the same gearing/tire size and my tranny gets hot pretty quick on the hwy.
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 05:42 PM
  #12  
SuperSlow02's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 1,865
Likes: 0
From: Cape Girardeau, MO
Default

Typical b&m cooler mounted to the bottom of the front bumper with a deep pan. Rpms were maybe 3800
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 07:32 PM
  #13  
Doug G's Avatar
10 Second Club
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 195
From: Harford Co. Maryland
Default

Bypass the radiator and run the biggest cooler you can reasonably fit....you won't over cool it.
Well unless you're in Antarctica maybe
Reply
Old Jul 2, 2012 | 07:59 PM
  #14  
TWS's Avatar
TWS
10 Second Club
iTrader: (63)
 
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 3,095
Likes: 1
From: Austin, TX
Default

I don't understand the question either. Over history didn't several hundred thousand GM cars and trucks drive millions of miles with TH 400's? On the street too. Oh my!
My only guess for people telling the OP something completely stupid like that is due to the "performance application" aspect of it... but still kind of an odd question.
I have a TH 400 in my '00 Camaro SS. I can drive it anywhere, as long as I don't mind cruising at 60 MPH on the 70/75 MPH Interstate while Toyota Camry's drive around me shaking their fists.

There's no magical different concept for a TH400. Build it appropriate or above your power level and like everyone else has said, run a trans cooler and a nice pan. There is nothing special that needs to be done.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2012 | 12:49 PM
  #15  
T6Rocket's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 453
Likes: 0
Default

The big difference is the high stall converters that people commonly run on the street today VS the stock or very mild stalls most everyone ran on the street back in the day. That is where the heat comes from.

Al
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2012 | 01:31 PM
  #16  
chasgiv3's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 782
Likes: 0
From: Chicago
Default

I've been running the TH400 for years with no issues at all. Perhaps 2K miles on it. Swap Filter and fluid and it's been very reliable. Now since mine is a manual valve body there are things to NOT do on them. For example I broke a sprag once being an idiot and downshifting manually and flooring it on full boost. I run a 4000 stall with a 3.42 rear end ratio. Highway is fine also with no issues. Most folks with very high stalls don't like it on the street but with 4K it's no issue and just fine on the highway. I run a cooling pan and a remote transmission cooler under the nose where I get lots of air.

You should have no issues with a well built transmission to start with.

Power is something that I'm not sure about on the street. At 10PSI I'm pulling 600RWHP.
That's the minimum I can run and what I tested on the dyno. I run 14PSI on the street and 23-24 at the strip. The tranny is holding a little over 1000RWHP at this point with no issues.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2012 | 02:15 PM
  #17  
John02SS's Avatar
10 Second Club
20 Year Member
iTrader: (47)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,452
Likes: 0
From: Pace, FL
Default

It will drive fine. Mine is big converter and 4.11's on a 28 tire. Turns about 3200 at 60. The large B&M cooler with fan and the fan comes on at 176. Trans temp stays right there.
Reply
Old Jul 3, 2012 | 03:43 PM
  #18  
tektrans's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 3,377
Likes: 0
Default

Originally Posted by T6Rocket
The big difference is the high stall converters that people commonly run on the street today VS the stock or very mild stalls most everyone ran on the street back in the day. That is where the heat comes from.

Al
Bingo right there.
Big *** cooler and temp guage is a must.
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2012 | 11:16 PM
  #19  
Zero4488's Avatar
Restricted User
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,455
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
Default

I drove mine everywhere...bolt on's 4.11's on a 28" tire....never had an issue...all with a 4400 converter....
Reply
Old Jul 4, 2012 | 11:48 PM
  #20  
Fbodyjunkie06's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 4,712
Likes: 5
From: Greensboro, NC
Default

People tell me my cooler is as big as there radiator

I drive mine everywhere I want and never have a problem. Did it with the old stall on motor and new tighter stall for nitrous. New stall is much nicer. 4.10's/28's 3000rpm at 60mph.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 03:08 AM.

story-0
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-1
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-3
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-4
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-5
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-8
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-9
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE