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

[DoubleV]

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

It seems odd to me you suddenly seem so confidant the 350 is the way to go. Are you not going to be running any decent gearing? If not your car should be fine but it will be a slug. If you do run some gear you're really going to want OD.

 

[DRIVEN]

Depends on the combination. There's thousands and thousands of muscle cars and street rods running around with 350/350 combinations. Most are running 3.00-3.55 gearing with obvious exceptions on either end. They're just fine. No, not as well rounded as something with deeper gears and an overdrive but still just fine. Remember, GM sold millions of cars with 3.55s, 3.73s and 4.11s that didn't have overdrives in front of them.

 

[B1tchin'-Buick]

Double V -- I get your just trying to help and thanks. Had you read my opening post closely tho, I specifically said I'm building a mild 350 SBC and only want to drive it like an Old man on a Sunday afternoon...

When you have a blown 3.8 Na you will be happy just to drive around the block. I told the Ole'Lady I was gonna cut holes in the Pass. Side floor-board and we can cruise it "Flintstones style."

Besides I have snooped around and have seen some of "Driven's" projects in other threads and he really seems to know what he talking about so I feel confident taking his word for it..... 8)

Thanks <Mike>

 

[DoubleV]

Depends on the combination.

Exactly. With steeper gears you're going to want OD. With granny gears you'd be fine without it but your performance is going to take a hit.

There's thousands and thousands of muscle cars and street rods running around with 350/350 combinations. Most are running 3.00-3.55 gearing with obvious exceptions on either end. They're just fine. No, not as well rounded as something with deeper gears and an overdrive but still just fine. Remember, GM sold millions of cars with 3.55s, 3.73s and 4.11s that didn't have overdrives in front of them.

What is 'fine' though? People have non OD transmission's in their car's for various reasons none of them being because they are superior. They are great for drag racing but not on the street when combined with steep gearing. It was 'fine' for people in the past because that's just the way it was back then ( not to mention cheap gas ). Atari 2600 was 'fine' in the late 70's but no one plays them now because they're outdated. IMO, if it weren't for drag racing or retaining the originality of an older car, the 3 speed transmission would've gone the way of the dodo.

So yes, if you're going to run granny gears then OD is not needed but be prepared for lackluster performance ( how much depending on the variables ). IF you're going to run better gearing though, then OD is king.

P.S. Big blocks make so much torque they could get away with less gearing so can get away with not having OD in more applications.

 

[DRIVEN]

Dude, I'm not disagreeing with you at all. We're on the same side here . Overdrive IS great. In a perfect world we'd all be able to afford paddle shifted 6 speeds. Unfortunately, life is full of compromises. So, from the standpoint of ease of installation and affordability, a TH350 is just fine and has been perfectly acceptable for countless drivers over several decades. That's all I was saying. Are there better options? Absolutely -- but that wasn't really what Bitchin'Buick was asking in the original post.

 

[B1tchin'-Buick]

Can I use my stock drive-shaft? Too long, too short?

Thx <mike>

 

[DRIVEN]

You can use it as long as you are installing a "car" TH350. It will be about 28.5ish" long just like your TH200. There are 2 longer versions of the TH350 that will obviously need shortened drive shaft.

 

[B1tchin'-Buick]

You can use it as long as you are installing a "car" TH350. It will be about 28.5ish" long just like your TH200. There are 2 longer versions of the TH350 that will obviously need shortened drive shaft.

So there are 3 sizes/lengths of the TH-350. That will be good to know comes order time. So are the 6inch and 9inch tail the two longer ones then? I like to be educated so when orders go in I know for sure. Unfortunately people on the other end of the phone will swear up and down "Oh it will definitely fit!" Then you get it and it doesn't... From the research I've done think the 1700-2000 stall/converter will be fine for my needs....

I did the 727 Torquo-Flite on my 73' Charger but that was just swapping in and out the same size transmission. I did that 20 years ago before the internet became main-stream. Got a "Chiltons" from the library, laid on the gravel drive and had at it. Took me a week of working on it but Damnit I got it.......

Thanks <Mike>

Research, research, research........

 

[DRIVEN]

There is a 6", 9" and 12". Double check your application but I think you'll need the 6".

 

[B1tchin'-Buick]

There is a 6", 9" and 12". Double check your application but I think you'll need the 6".

Thanks..........