THM 350 Vs TH200-R4 / Swapping 3.8 for S.B.C.

[B1tchin'-Buick]

I have been searching old threads here and at other Forums. I like the idea of the THM350 cause I can keep my current cross-member. From the sounds of the 200-4r I would have to weld in a modified cross-member. This will add to my bottom line as well as trying to pay someone to come over for welding.

I plan to keep the 350 mild and want it to be street-able. The THM-350 is only 3 spd. without the over-drive am I going to burn up my engine if I hop on the E-Way? My 3.8 only has a 3 spd. and I drove her on the E-way no problems....

The reason I bring this up is cause I will be doing the transplant in my garage and the THM350 seems like an easier install. BUT my concern came into play after reading at another forum that the THM350 sucked, but those who where saying that mostly had higher geared rear-ends 3.73, ect...

I plan on keeping my slow stock rear-end cause I don't plan on beating on her. I just want to cruise like an old man on a Sunday afternoon.....

Now knowing how I plan to drive: Will the THM350 be fine? Can I take her on the E-Way without burning up my Engine?
And/or Will the THM350 be just fine if I stay off the E-Way?

Thank You <Mike>

 

[DRIVEN]

You'll be fine with the TH350.

 

[B1tchin'-Buick]

That's what I was hoping for..... Want to learn all I can now so it doesn't bite me in the *ss later......

<Mike>

 

[80ELCAMINOFLAKE]

U should be koo, but if u have 3.73 gears then on freeway will be a pain in *ss.. Rpms screaming like krazy... Off the subject but i have a dual modifited crossmember to run ur exhuast.. Ck out my threads... Good luck 🙂

 

[B1tchin'-Buick]

Off the subject but i have a dual modifited crossmember to run ur exhuast..

I didn't see anything in the Engine/Swap sticky mentioning exhaust concerns if I kept My stock cross-member? :?

 

[80ELCAMINOFLAKE]

Off the subject but i have a dual modifited crossmember to run ur exhuast..

I didn't see anything in the Engine/Swap sticky mentioning exhaust concerns if I kept My stock cross-member? :?

heres the post:

viewtopic.php?f=31&t=42746

its just so that you can clear your driver side exhuast to run dual exhaust 😀 a must have

 

[efigp83]

just check out g-force crossmembers they have all the answers for trans swaps

 

[B1tchin'-Buick]

its just so that you can clear your driver side exhuast to run dual exhaust 😀 a must have

Yours does look really good, but I'm thinking I should be able to mod the exhaust for much cheaper instead of the extra work and cost replacing the cross-member If I don't need to........

>>>>>>>> I'm assuming the "3.8 to 350 swap" sticky wouldn't of told me I could keep my stock cross-member if there was going to be an issue down the road?? :? <<<<<<<<<<<

When I get my refund from Uncle Sam I don't want to buy things I really don't need......
Research, research, research......

Thanks <Mike>

 

[DoubleV]

IMO, a TH350 transmission ( or any transmission without overdrive ) is garbage in a street car with any sort of gearing. If you have a smaller engine and performance is your goal, you're gonna need some gear hense you're going to need an OD transmission.

I know there's plenty of people who say they have no problems driving on the highway with their 3.73+ gears, but frankly I think it's just because they got used to the noise, the crappy milage and rarely go over 60 anyway. If any of those guys had experienced overdrive, they would never go back. I occasionaly take my car out of OD on the highway for sh*ts and giggles just to feel what it would be like driving with no OD and 3.73's and let me just say I quickly put it back in OD.

P.S. I remember last year a nice Cutlass was tearing it up at Norwalk. Way faster than my poor slug. When I was making the journey home on the highway I see this Cutlass. Everybody's passing him up because he was forced to go so slow due to his steep gears and no OD. I effortlessly cruise right by him ( in OD of course ) and you can hear his engine reving to the moon. I could only imagine the noise inside not to mention the sh*t gas milage he was getting. I just found it funny that while technically his car was alot faster than mine, in the real world of street driving, his car couldn't hold a candle to mine.

 

[B1tchin'-Buick]

I will be fine with the TH350........