transmission choice help

[454cutlass]

My friend has a th350 in his 86 regal wants to change to a th400. The th350 is toast and needs to be rebuilt anyway. Any reason to change to a th400 or just build the th350. Is is going to be bolted up to a 383 with a 172 blower. It will be a around town car maybe see the track once a year.

If to change what is a good crossmember and would he have to buy a new driveshaft.

Thanks for any help

 

[85GPLef41]

I would think the th350 built up right shouldn't have any issues and require less HP to turn... But a TH400 built up right would be somewhat the same at a cost of a few more ponies to turn it... I was under the impression that a TH400 built up right would be bulletproof. If he plans on racing it every once in a while i would build it up as strong as possible to avoid having to spend $$ twice... Now if it was me i would "build" up a 2004R and enjoy cruising rpm's, if he has a th350 he could reuse the drive shaft and get a 2004R cross member and it would bolt in in OK... :lol:

 

[454cutlass]

I would also get the 200r4 but he doesn't (probably a cost thing) not to worried drive train loss. Spent most of his money rebuilding his engine. Spun some bearings. The engine should be ready in a few weeks just trying to figure some stuff out for him