As some of you already know, the TH350 in my '86 Monte Carlo went out last year. I've finally got some money rounded up to fix it. This morning I stopped by the transmission guy's place and got a quote. I was a little surprised by the price. $550. About a year and a half ago I had him build a TH350 for my truck and it costed me $425. I was expecting about the same price for this transmission as well and it caught me off guard when he told me that it would be $125 more for this one. I realize that this isn't that high of a price but it's more than I expected and it's pushing my budget. I was hoping to use the $125 for fluid and etc.
So, now I'm trying to decide what I should do. I have a few more options.
1. Buy a used TH350 for $250 with a 90 day warranty and maybe put a shift kit in it.
2. Rebuild the TH350 I have myself.
3. There is a 700R4 from a Camaro at work that I could probably get for around $300.
My questions and concerns.
-I've never rebuilt a transmission. The people I've talked to who have all say that the TH350 is easy to build.
To the guys on here who've rebuilt them, how hard is it? If I go this route I plan on getting a factory transmission rebuild manual and an aftermarket/performance rebuild manual.
Do you guys have any advice on building a TH350? Do you recommend any certain manuals? What special tools will I need? How much space do I need to disassemble and rebuild it? Is there a particular kit you would recommend?
- I've never had good luck out of 700R4's but I'd love to have overdrive in the Monte Carlo. I would probably put a shift kit in it too. Is a stock 700R4 with a shift kit worth my trouble to put in?
Right now the car still has the stock 4.3 V6 in it. I plan on putting a Vortech 350 in the car in the near future. It'll hopefully put out 350-400 hp. Probably close to the same torque. What do you guys recommend?
So, now I'm trying to decide what I should do. I have a few more options.
1. Buy a used TH350 for $250 with a 90 day warranty and maybe put a shift kit in it.
2. Rebuild the TH350 I have myself.
3. There is a 700R4 from a Camaro at work that I could probably get for around $300.
My questions and concerns.
-I've never rebuilt a transmission. The people I've talked to who have all say that the TH350 is easy to build.
To the guys on here who've rebuilt them, how hard is it? If I go this route I plan on getting a factory transmission rebuild manual and an aftermarket/performance rebuild manual.
Do you guys have any advice on building a TH350? Do you recommend any certain manuals? What special tools will I need? How much space do I need to disassemble and rebuild it? Is there a particular kit you would recommend?
- I've never had good luck out of 700R4's but I'd love to have overdrive in the Monte Carlo. I would probably put a shift kit in it too. Is a stock 700R4 with a shift kit worth my trouble to put in?
Right now the car still has the stock 4.3 V6 in it. I plan on putting a Vortech 350 in the car in the near future. It'll hopefully put out 350-400 hp. Probably close to the same torque. What do you guys recommend?