th350

[Reegal]

Ok peeps, I have a 83 regal limited 3.8 v6 swapping for a sbc 350.

I was reading Bitchin Buicks thread about the 350 trans. I seen a lot of good statements, but I aswell was planning on using a 350 transmission with my 350 swap, but I also want OD cause I plan on taking it on highway everynow n then. It will not be my daily driver. I plan on having a mild 350 but now I'm stuck.

Is the th350 the only other trans to bolt up with any mods?? I was going to go with the 2004r but don't wanna mod.
Yet, I wanna hit 80 sometimes without my rpms going nuts. Idk what to do now I'm lost. Should I just go with the 350 trans due to its simple install?? Also wat gears Should I go with?

Remember, not a daily driver, so mpg is not an issue to me.
Thanks in advance

 

[martin.ca]

What's your rear end ratio? That's going to have a large effect on whether you can use OD or not effectively. Most likely the 3-spd THM200 you have means the rear end is probably a 2-series, and the THM350 will work pretty well . An OD transmission will probably mean you'd end up with a *very* High Ratio (low numerically) rear end.

 

[DRIVEN]

^^^This.^^^

A 350/TH350/3.23 would be a good all-around combo. You could probably go 3.08 or 3.42 without much penalty. It's a balancing act. Too tall feels gutless but cruises the freeway easily. Too deep is fun in town but not great on the open road. Play with this calculator and see where your sweet spot is.
http://www.angelfire.com/fl/procrastination/rear.html

 

[dogsht]

Agreed with Driven a th350 especially with a working lock up and a 3.23 is a probably your best balance for a mild 350 not sacrificing too much acceleration or too much mileage. If you are doing some 80 mph blasts down the interstate you might appreciate the 3.08 more.

That said the ideal would be a 200-4R with say a 3.73 likewise not too much penalty for going up to a 3.42 or down to a 4.11. With a 200-4R / 3.73 you should get both better acceleration and better mileage than a th350 / 3.08 but it will normally cost you more to source one and or rebuild one. With a 200-4R/3.73 the overdrive brings the final drive ratio down to 2.49 ie same as having a th350 with a 2.49 only with acceleration of the 3.73.

 

[Reegal]

Thanks guys. I wanna do a 200 but don't wanna do any mods. Just want a bolt right up.

Thanks for the input fellas.

 

[DRIVEN]

You could bolt in a TH200 without any mods -- just not a 200-4R .


I know what you meant.

 

[Reegal]

Yes exactly. Using my phone and got finger lazy. Lol