86 700r4 (4x4) in a 69 Chevelle?

[carpeonnel]

I got a question for you tranny gurus. I have a strongly rebuilt 700r4 from an 86 K5 laying around that my buddy has some interest in putting in his chevelle. Now I know the output shaft and tail shaft has to be changed along with the flexplate and his driveshaft will have to be shortened some as well, but my question is about the electrical power hook up plug on the tranny. I know the 700r4 is electronically shifted but how can we hook up the plug on his 69 chevelle to make it work correctly? I still have the plug. His chevelle is a built 454 with a 350 behind it now but the problem is he's got 4.10 gears and is SCREAMING going down the highway without an overdrive and he doesn't want to regear it. So help a brother out. I know alot of you guys are very knowledgeable

Pic of it in background

 

[Stomis]

Youd be insane to put a 700r4 behind a built big block. Aside from that to answer your questions.

The 700r4 is not electronically shifted. The torque converter lockup is. This is what binds the TQ to directly mate the motor and trans when in overdrive after about 50mph so there is 0 slippage. There are plenty of kits that aftermarket companies sell to allow this electronic function to be used off of a vacuum source or the VSS cable.

Go on summit and search "lock up kit" they range from $80 to $200 depending on whether you want to be able to control it manually. This is a vary discussed topic amongst 80's Monte Carlo owners as alot of them eliminate the computers and use this solution.

And just to say it again, your friend would be out of his mind to put that motor infront of that trans. Get a 4L80e and an aftermarket controller.

 

[carpeonnel]

I don't see the big problem with running a properly built 700r4 behind a big block. my father runs a 700 behind his 502 now in his drag truck and this 700 is built the same as his. If it was a stock 700 I would agree with you but after the use/abuse my father's has taken I have no quarrels with a 700.

Note - he ran a 400hp 350 in front of the same tranny for 4 yrs on the strip before swapping in the 502 8 months ago. He currently drags with no issues and the tranny hasn't had a hiccup in 5 yrs except for a busted detent cable. So no it's not INSANE to run a 700. Anyway his Chevelle is a show queen and is basically driven like grandma would

 

[dyeager535]

The pre-TBI trucks that used the 700 ran the TCC standalone, vacuum based, no ECM, no vehicle speed sensor. If the Chevelle produces enough vacuum (no idea what the truck switches at) that would be my choice. The aftermarket stuff is too expensive to do the exact same thing.

 

[carpeonnel]

I thought there was an easy way to bypass the pre-TBI 700s. What exactly is the plug going to and controlling on the early 700s. Is it just the torque convertor lockup? I'd hate to put the lock up on a switch as that is kind of ghetto to me

 

[dyeager535]

It's solely TCC AFAIK.

I agree on the switch. Other than for specific applications (which I can't think of any) there would be no reason to take an automatic function, in an automatic transmission, and make it a manual function. Otherwise, get a manual trans.

I like the idea of the truck setups because they are common, not failure prone, simple, and seem to work great.