a3/th-350 swap
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 67
From: wyoming @ 12000 DA...
a3/th-350 swap I have a Auto 96 T/A right now nad i want to put a th-350 with a HUGE stall and 3.73's.... i was curious what is all involved int he swap besides the obvious (like trans and stall).
And where do i get the parts needed to make the swap?
Thanks.
Nick
And where do i get the parts needed to make the swap?
Thanks.
Nick
you can use your stock driveshaft if you get the longtail t350, And B@M sells a kit get on summit to mount your torque arm. Speedo will be off, shifter, I have a pro ratchet, Dip stick I purchased mine from madman. If you dont have a tranny cooler, i would get one. And some tolerance to tolerate not having OD
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Aurora , Ill
I have the tourque arm adapter if u need it.
From what i was told the swap is relatively easy. I had a short tail Th350 but decided against it.
If ur interested in my adapter let me know , it's brand new !
From what i was told the swap is relatively easy. I had a short tail Th350 but decided against it.
If ur interested in my adapter let me know , it's brand new !
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 67
From: wyoming @ 12000 DA...
Originally Posted by Vaders94
you can use your stock driveshaft if you get the longtail t350, And B@M sells a kit get on summit to mount your torque arm. Speedo will be off, shifter, I have a pro ratchet, Dip stick I purchased mine from madman. If you dont have a tranny cooler, i would get one. And some tolerance to tolerate not having OD
Ok... so i jsut need the torque arm remount?
I can use a longtail th-350 with the stock crossmember in the stock location (or with minor mods like drilling holes IN THE CROSSMEMBER for the slightly different mounts), and with the stock driveline?
If so.. then this sounds like it up my ally...
Wouldn't getting a lock-up style trans/converter help out the driveablity?
AFAIK you have to use a different crossmember... the best and cleanest way to do it is to order one from bmrfabrication. they stopped making them for awhile but now they make TH350/400 crossmember conversions.... You will also need what was already talked about with the torque arm off of the tailshaft. I personally with my TH400 swap I ordered the spohn unit torque arm that puts the connection onto the g-load brace which is much stronger than the tailshaft....
If you don't have a cooler THEY ARE MANDATORY! heat will kill a tranny and with a big stall you want to run heat will destroy your tranny quick on the street without a good cooler...
You will also need to figure out something with the speedo to convert the signal cause i'm sure that your 350 is a mechanical speedo type and the 4L60 is not.... some also talked about getting a4 files deleted from your PCM. not sure about that cause i swapped from a t56... The filler tube you can get from madman... i also had to order a driveshaft from denny's but you might get away without doing that if you order the right length 350 the dimensions of which i'm on 100% sure.... good luck. you'll like it i'm sure. i'll never go back.... the highway is overrated. pulling tires and launching like a madman is not....
If you don't have a cooler THEY ARE MANDATORY! heat will kill a tranny and with a big stall you want to run heat will destroy your tranny quick on the street without a good cooler...
You will also need to figure out something with the speedo to convert the signal cause i'm sure that your 350 is a mechanical speedo type and the 4L60 is not.... some also talked about getting a4 files deleted from your PCM. not sure about that cause i swapped from a t56... The filler tube you can get from madman... i also had to order a driveshaft from denny's but you might get away without doing that if you order the right length 350 the dimensions of which i'm on 100% sure.... good luck. you'll like it i'm sure. i'll never go back.... the highway is overrated. pulling tires and launching like a madman is not....
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 67
From: wyoming @ 12000 DA...
Originally Posted by OutlawZ
AFAIK you have to use a different crossmember... the best and cleanest way to do it is to order one from bmrfabrication. they stopped making them for awhile but now they make TH350/400 crossmember conversions.... You will also need what was already talked about with the torque arm off of the tailshaft. I personally with my TH400 swap I ordered the spohn unit torque arm that puts the connection onto the g-load brace which is much stronger than the tailshaft....
If you don't have a cooler THEY ARE MANDATORY! heat will kill a tranny and with a big stall you want to run heat will destroy your tranny quick on the street without a good cooler...
You will also need to figure out something with the speedo to convert the signal cause i'm sure that your 350 is a mechanical speedo type and the 4L60 is not.... some also talked about getting a4 files deleted from your PCM. not sure about that cause i swapped from a t56... The filler tube you can get from madman... i also had to order a driveshaft from denny's but you might get away without doing that if you order the right length 350 the dimensions of which i'm on 100% sure.... good luck. you'll like it i'm sure. i'll never go back.... the highway is overrated. pulling tires and launching like a madman is not....
If you don't have a cooler THEY ARE MANDATORY! heat will kill a tranny and with a big stall you want to run heat will destroy your tranny quick on the street without a good cooler...
You will also need to figure out something with the speedo to convert the signal cause i'm sure that your 350 is a mechanical speedo type and the 4L60 is not.... some also talked about getting a4 files deleted from your PCM. not sure about that cause i swapped from a t56... The filler tube you can get from madman... i also had to order a driveshaft from denny's but you might get away without doing that if you order the right length 350 the dimensions of which i'm on 100% sure.... good luck. you'll like it i'm sure. i'll never go back.... the highway is overrated. pulling tires and launching like a madman is not....
bottom of page...
http://www.bmrfabrication.com/F-bodyChassis.htm
As for the speedo i will run all autometer gauges so im not too awfull worried about that.
Seeing how i already have a auto i already have a cooler and will just utilize it.
and what about the lock-up? any insite on this? that way i can lock up the converter and that way when im way below the converter rpm im not overheating **** so easy...
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 67
From: wyoming @ 12000 DA...
so im looking at the crossmember.... dip stick (link anyone??)...
I guess i can use the 4l60 tail housing on the 350 for the torque arm mount... so i just need the $150 crossmember and the dip-stick and im good to go...
Sound right??
I guess i can use the 4l60 tail housing on the 350 for the torque arm mount... so i just need the $150 crossmember and the dip-stick and im good to go...
Sound right??
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
I modified a stock auto crossmember to work. The mount on th350 is about 2in farther back on the trans.
For a dip stick I just went to a local parts store and picked up a universal th350 dip stick, and cut it down so that it would not hit the underside of the cowl. When you cut the top up the tube you just have to cut the same amount off of the bottem of the stick itself, and remark your low and full area on the stick. The dip stick sticks up just behind the valve cover, and works out real nice.
I also run a large b&m cooler mounted on the front of the radiator.
For a dip stick I just went to a local parts store and picked up a universal th350 dip stick, and cut it down so that it would not hit the underside of the cowl. When you cut the top up the tube you just have to cut the same amount off of the bottem of the stick itself, and remark your low and full area on the stick. The dip stick sticks up just behind the valve cover, and works out real nice.
I also run a large b&m cooler mounted on the front of the radiator.
You don't have to buy the BMR trans mount, although it looks nice. I used my stock auto crossmember but had to weld a tab to to line up with the TH350 holes, very easy. I even used my 4l60e poly trans mount that I already had. The factory shifter can also be used with a little modding. You cannot use a stock 4l60e tailhousing on a longtail TH350. There was a guy who was modifying them to fit on a TH350 for the factory speedo and TA mount but this a couple years ago. I was told that a M6 crossmember lines right up with the Th350 mount if you had easy access to one. My setup has gone 1.4 60's and 9's in the 1/4 so it's very strong. You will be happy with the durability and not worrying about the trans acting up once it's done. Later Clint
The M6 crossmember lines up with a TH400...... not the TH350... I have the stock M6 crossmember under my 400.... new holes had to be drilled but that was it... and a spacer block has to be used....
but i'm going with the BMR now that they started making them again.... much cleaner install with the Bmr and at a lil more than 150 bucks not a huge price considering what the swapover costs....
but i'm going with the BMR now that they started making them again.... much cleaner install with the Bmr and at a lil more than 150 bucks not a huge price considering what the swapover costs....
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 67
From: wyoming @ 12000 DA...
well i will get a longtail th-350 for $400... get the BMR crossmember... then get the adapter that make the stock torque arm mount to the trans.... and a huge stall and i should have some wicked launchs then?
well take this with a grain of salt cause it's my opinion and that's it.... I would try at all costs to remove the torque arm mount from the back of the tranny.... the tailshaft is not designed to take and absorb those loads without shearing.... If I were you i'd look into a spohn torque arm that puts the mount on the g-load brace or get what in that picture looks like mounts the t/a mount to the ds loop brace..... remove the mount from the tranny at all costs... i have several friends who cut 1.5 60 foots and sheared the tailshafts off their trannies...... i might have a pic of where it mounts on my car.....
Here ya go... torque arm coming from left mounted to bracket on g-load brace next to d-shaft loop...
Here ya go... torque arm coming from left mounted to bracket on g-load brace next to d-shaft loop...
or you could get this
TORQUE ARM RELOCATION KIT
Take the load off of your transmission tailshaft by relocating the torque arm mount with this kit from BMR. This kit replaces your transmission crossmember with a stronger tubular piece that also has an integrated torque arm mount. The mount itself is adjustable up and down to allow easy "instant center" adjustment. Made from heavy wall DOM tubing and 1/4" mounting plates, all hardware included. Available standard in red or black powdercoat, additional colors also available by special order
TORQUE ARM RELOCATION KIT
Take the load off of your transmission tailshaft by relocating the torque arm mount with this kit from BMR. This kit replaces your transmission crossmember with a stronger tubular piece that also has an integrated torque arm mount. The mount itself is adjustable up and down to allow easy "instant center" adjustment. Made from heavy wall DOM tubing and 1/4" mounting plates, all hardware included. Available standard in red or black powdercoat, additional colors also available by special order
I dont believe you can use the stock drive shaft with a 400.
What kind of rearend do you have?
I ask because from what I have seen a stock lenght driveshaft will not be to happy if you have a 12bolt and a th350. The th350 is slightly longer than the stock trans, and with a bigger rear the drive shaft is pushed slightly forward. If you have one or the other you should be fine, but if you have both the stock drive shaft might be about a half inch too long.
What kind of rearend do you have?
I ask because from what I have seen a stock lenght driveshaft will not be to happy if you have a 12bolt and a th350. The th350 is slightly longer than the stock trans, and with a bigger rear the drive shaft is pushed slightly forward. If you have one or the other you should be fine, but if you have both the stock drive shaft might be about a half inch too long.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 67
From: wyoming @ 12000 DA...
well i have a stock rear end right now.... but with a big stall and t-braked a3 i doubt it will last all that long....
wont modifying the driveshaft cost about $100 or so?
wont modifying the driveshaft cost about $100 or so?
With a TH400 you will need a new driveshaft..... Spend the money and get a denny's nitrous shaft.... they are like 400 bucks.... guaranteed for life and practically indestructable....It's one of thsoe things where your car WILL find the weakest link. if that's the stock d-shaft then it'll break, if it's the rear it'll break that.... This is how ppl (like me) end up 80K into mods.... cuz if you do it right you need it ALL not just SOME.... sad but true... 
And yes you could get that BMR torque arm relocation bracket... it would work too.... I like the spohn cause it combines three things.... T/A, relocation bracket, and the driveshaft loop (which might also come in handy for nasty launches...) again just my opinion.....
You could do a 400 or a 350.... both built right are good into the 9's... the 400 is a bit stronger and can survive well into the 8's.... the 350 is running ragged at the 8 second threshold...
And yes you could get that BMR torque arm relocation bracket... it would work too.... I like the spohn cause it combines three things.... T/A, relocation bracket, and the driveshaft loop (which might also come in handy for nasty launches...) again just my opinion.....
You could do a 400 or a 350.... both built right are good into the 9's... the 400 is a bit stronger and can survive well into the 8's.... the 350 is running ragged at the 8 second threshold...