Which Transmission & Engine

[Respected_Cutlass]

84 Cutlass Supreme - Choosing between the 350 Olds and Chevy is impossible for me. I would love to keep an Olds heart in an Olds body but I hear Chevy creates more power and is probably easier to upgrade. I also understand it will be more work to do a Chevy transplant. To remove all the love for your choice, which motor is actually better, power & durability wise?

Onto the transmission, which one? THM 200-4R or TH350? I really don't know if I need/prefer an overdrive as I have never noticed anything different with driving the two (I didn't know what I was looking for). Can someone explain?

As I read, I see a lot of people don't like the 700r4, what does having a LOW first gear mean? I'm taking a guess here, better burn outs or increased 0-30mph? What is the disadvantage of a low first gear? My friend has an 88 GMC 1500, should I recommend a better transmission?

 

[bonesninja]

84 Cutlass Supreme - Choosing between the 350 Olds and Chevy is impossible for me. I would love to keep an Olds heart in an Olds body but I hear Chevy creates more power and is probably easier to upgrade. I also understand it will be more work to do a Chevy transplant. To remove all the love for your choice, which motor is actually better, power & durability wise?

Onto the transmission, which one? THM 200-4R or TH350? I really don't know if I need/prefer an overdrive as I have never noticed anything different with driving the two (I didn't know what I was looking for). Can someone explain?

As I read, I see a lot of people don't like the 700r4, what does having a LOW first gear mean? I'm taking a guess here, better burn outs or increased 0-30mph? What is the disadvantage of a low first gear? My friend has an 88 GMC 1500, should I recommend a better transmission?

i hear the Olds motor will drop right in where the chevy will require a lot of changes with vacuum lines and stuff

 

[Respected_Cutlass]

I read that, but that's not too much of a problem...

I was also curious if anyone has used a 4l80E transmission. According to this article, it is possible. http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/driv ... index.html

And after reading more of it, that transmission is expensive. Definitely not gonna be my choice. Still though, would anyone use it?

 

[Wants_a_wagon]

If you have a TH350 now, to mount a 200r4, I understand that you'll have to mount a new cross member.

See this site for more info: http://crossmembers.com/g-body.htm

In terms of which motor to choose, rather than picking one based on a bunch of preconceived notions, why don't you see if you can get a reasonably-priced running example of either near you first? Neither makes more power than the other, per se.

Also, you didn't say what motor you have in there. If it's a 231 v6 the easiest swap would be a 350 Buick, and to get a Chevy or Olds in there, you'll have a lot of mving things about to do.

Relative to the other trans questions, the page here can answer them: http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml

 

[custom442]

And after reading more of it, that transmission is expensive. Definitely not gonna be my choice. Still though, would anyone use it?

They're nice transmission's but the only reason I would use it is if I were an old rich guy enthusiast who wanted to electronically paddle shift my restomod....or if I got an amazing deal.


I vote th350, a short tail will bolt right up with a universal transmission mount (the one with 3 holes in it). The gear ratios are also nicer for street driving. If you want an overdrive I'd splurge for the 2004r

 

[olds307 and 403]

Olds can make just as much power as a chevy. The Olds makes more torque everything being equal, which is great on the street. Unless you get a late model block with roller cam and modern fast burn style heads, why even consider the sbc? Parts cost a bit more for Olds, but not a ton more.