350 trans?

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by thapachuco, Jan 24, 2008.

  1. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

    ahh i see, makes perfect sense.

    does anyone else recommend any good tranny i can pull for my 67 lesabre?

    is it cheaper to go to the junk yard and pull a used one and have it rebuilt or get a new one worries free???
     
  2. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

    anyone?
     
  3. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    i think a local rebuild is fine
    i would look at old/buick/ponitiac cars from 71-80
    regal,cutlass,lemans,grand prix,firebird,apollo/skylark,omega,ventura
    century and similar wagons
    some 77-80 delta 88 or 98,lesabre,boniville/parsieanne
    trans will have a cable and a vacuum modulator.
    anything else is a different trans. if it says metric stamped on the pan thats not the right one either
     
  4. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

    Thanks!
     
  5. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

    what kind of trans should i look for that will help with gas mileage?

    i'll be driving on the free way most of the time, but i will be cruising the streets as well.....which tranny will do the best?
     
  6. alec296

    alec296 i need another buick

    i have use 350 trans with 4.10 gears and still drove on hiway
    350 trans will be good for most anything and durable/inexpensive
    and as long as your gears are not steep will still get decent mpg
    i have a convertable with 3.42 gears 350 trans and a 430 that is
    good on mpg considering and will run 70 mph with little effort
    you could get a lockup 350 trans or a 2004r but the 2004r(overdrive)
    does require internal modifications that do cost a bit and wiring for lockup plus a trans cooler ,it could be costly to convert
    go with the 350 for now and research the 2004r for future
     
  7. DEADMANSCURVE

    DEADMANSCURVE my first word : truck

    the overdrive units will be a little more $$ probably but give better gas mileage . so in the long run may not be any more $$ actually . will depend on rear gearing , that car probably does not have performance gears and you may need some specific info/advice. does your trans have a switch with a couple wires coming out of it , on the driver side i think , could have a switch pitch converter function in which case your original converter will not work with a non switch pitch unit . i don't think the summit etc trans units come with a converter , but a used unit from a salvage yard should . if so it needs to be flushed at the very least and be sure to check the mounting bolt situation - flex plate to converter . different or overdrive trans could also require a dif driveshaft . del
     
  8. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

    so i spoke with a mechanic whos been handling most of the work done on my car...he said he spoke to an old GM mechanic that said a 2004r would be my best bet because it has lockup and would require minimal modification to my 67 lesabre...i already have the cooling lines to the tranny from the radiator, the kick down switch was removed years ago by my grandfather who couldn't find a replacement.

    i found a 2004r on summit for a v6 buick...this should work right?

    any other leads?

    if im trying to get even better mileage, what kind of rear end could i swap to do this?

    thanks fellas!
     
  9. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

    :Do No: anyone?
     
  10. nekkidhillbilly

    nekkidhillbilly jeffreyrigged youtube channel owner

    2004r it has od
     
  11. nekkidhillbilly

    nekkidhillbilly jeffreyrigged youtube channel owner

    yeah a 2004r is the v6 tranny but if want a tough one i dont know your power concerns you may look at somewheres else for a built one

    www.transmissioncenter.net i have found has nice parts and trannies and good prices

    me i wouild buy a kit and get the atsg manual for the tranny an build my own alot of ppl do
     
  12. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

    im not looking for any power gains really, something thats reliable, has some pick up and can hang on the freeway and ease the stress on the engine.

    i heard the 200r4 is too lightweight for my full size buick?

    why is the 200r4 / 700r4 better than a 350 overdrive?
     
  13. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

  14. 70aqua_custom

    70aqua_custom Well-Known Member

    the 2004r can be built to handle your needs and is the easiest to swap in to an old Buick. Your best bet would be to find a reputable trans shop in your area that can handle the swap and will stand by their work.
     
  15. No Lift

    No Lift Platinum Level Contributor

    Be honest to yourself. Are you going to be putting on 5-10000 miles a year? Going from a realistic 15 mpg to 18 mpg because of the 200r4's overdrive will not really save you money if you don't drive it alot. Everybodys worried about getting better gas mileage but then they don't think about all the money they spent to get that better mpg. A rebuilt 200 r4 will cost at least $1500+. A locally rebuilt 350 will be less than half that and will be a no brainer installation. The 200r4 conversion will be a little more complicated but wouldn't be too bad. The hardest part will be getting the throttle valve cable hooked up right. The trans crossmember would have to be moved back but on your car that wouldn't be bad. You car probably has 2.9 something gears and with the weight of the car and in overdrive and lockup your engine might not be too happy(lugging) with the low rpm's it will be turning.
    You have to remember that most of these cars even without an overdrive were built to cruise at 70= mph from the factory with no problem.
    If not driving tons of miles then a rebuilt junkyard t-350 will do fine. As somebody said previously get an early 80's t-350c(has the lockup). That would be even better. When it is rebuilt get a shift kit installed for a firmer shift. Keep the stock converter with whichever you do for best mileage if you are keeping the engine stock. If you can't find a t350c try using a standard t350 with a larger t400 converter. That would be worth a little mileage(the trans shop would be able to tell you if the 400 converter would clear the 350 bellhousing) or check into a "mileage" or "towing" converter. They will be tighter.
    Whatever you do be realistic in your assement on how many miles you will actually drive.
     
  16. 70aqua_custom

    70aqua_custom Well-Known Member

    two very valid points. This thread is so old I forgot the whole combo. I was saying the 2004R is an easier conversion than the 700R4. IMHO if his engine and rear gear is stock he should stay with the stock trans. There really isn't a reason to go to THM350.
     
  17. thapachuco

    thapachuco Well-Known Member

    rear is stock and engine is stock. So if i get the THM350 it really wouldnt make much difference?

    would it be better to just get the turbine rebuilt?

    did they ever come with overdire or a kick down (con someone explain this)?

    it would help since my trans only shifts once. :(
     

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