wich package
- Thread starter mugzi
- Start date
- Status
people always bash on the 700R4. i have one w/ a trans go shift kit, and i love it. the gas mileage isnt too bad b/c of the overdrive. great highway cruiser. its also got that nasty first gear 
The TH200-4R has a better OD, bolts to a Pontiac or a Chevy ( you did not say which 400 you wanted-maybe a Buick?) and fits with all factory parts with no modifications or adapter plate. The 700 only bolts to a Chevy and requires an adapter to fit a Pontiac, is longer and requires a custom driveshaft and mods to the crossmember, probably won't fit the factory cooler lines, etc. Plus, the 700's 1-2 shift drops you below the shift recovery point. So, while you get off the line quicker, you are out of the powerband when it hits 2nd in some cases. Besides, if you want an engine that large you will not need too much gearing as it will likely produce enough torque down low that it requires less multiplication to get it moving off the line. Too much gear will keep it from hooking up without a big increase in traction.
Anyhow, there's how I see it if you plan on building a street car and the engine is being planned for low to mid range torque, which is where the Pontiac 400 and SBC 400 are at their best in mostly stock form. Neither engine likes to be revved too high ( 6500+ RPM), but neither engine needs to be with the right combination and gearing that is properly matched to the RPM range and weight of the car. With all that being said, what combination are you considering and what is the intended use and quarter mile ET you are aiming for with your car?
Anyhow, there's how I see it if you plan on building a street car and the engine is being planned for low to mid range torque, which is where the Pontiac 400 and SBC 400 are at their best in mostly stock form. Neither engine likes to be revved too high ( 6500+ RPM), but neither engine needs to be with the right combination and gearing that is properly matched to the RPM range and weight of the car. With all that being said, what combination are you considering and what is the intended use and quarter mile ET you are aiming for with your car?
i just want a fast street car, eventually ill take it to the track. but i was considering a 400 or 454. i know gears play a part so much as the trans. i heard good things of the 700r4 (overdrive) and i do like to cruise sometimes. but if a mustang gt pull up i want to stay in front.
You really don't need an engine that big to take down a Mustang GT. The newest ones with the 3 valve engines make maybe 300hp at the crank and probably run high 13's/low 14's dead stock. A good 327 or 350 would do the trick just fine and be easier to deal with than a big block Chevy or a Chevy 400. The biggest issue with the 400 is that they have cooling issues in some applications due to their siamesed bores and the fact that they need a really big radiator to be sure they do not overheat. You can run a stock 3 core with a 327 or a 350 and be just fine, even in 95 degree heat sitting in rush hour traffic.
My car can take a stock Mustang GT and it has a very basic 355 with a rebuilder short block and a smooth idling cam.( combo in my sig) Mine acts and looks stock with no driveability problems and even gives decent fuel economy.
Here are a few questions to help us give more exact direction as to what advice to give on your project. Is the car meant to be a daily driver or an occasional cruiser? Will it ever be used to commute in heavy traffic? Do you plan on having A/C? What kind of budget will you realistically be dealing with for your drivetrain or swap? What trans does it have now? What rear axle will you run?
My car can take a stock Mustang GT and it has a very basic 355 with a rebuilder short block and a smooth idling cam.( combo in my sig) Mine acts and looks stock with no driveability problems and even gives decent fuel economy.
Here are a few questions to help us give more exact direction as to what advice to give on your project. Is the car meant to be a daily driver or an occasional cruiser? Will it ever be used to commute in heavy traffic? Do you plan on having A/C? What kind of budget will you realistically be dealing with for your drivetrain or swap? What trans does it have now? What rear axle will you run?
Torque is definately your friend on the street. If I was in your shoes I would look around for a 454. Even an emissioned out 200hp 454 will still make your car scoot pretty good on the street. If you go with a bigblock it will be easier to get the HP goal you want when you decide to make it a drag car but I believe parts are a bit more expensive for a BB compared to a SB. As far as trans, until your ready to drag it at the strip I would just leave whats in it assuming its in good shape. Maybe throw in a shift improver kit. Your rearend gear should be upgraded. I would reccomend a 3.42 with a BB and definately a quality posi. If this car is gonna visit the track a few times a year then buy yourself a posi and gearset for the 7.5. Its NOT GONNA EXPLODE from a few trips down the track a year. Ive ran mine for a long time now with no problems. My 455 olds puts down a little over 500 in torque. However if money isnt tight then by all means upgrade to an 8.5 or 9" I plan on running an 8.5 soon. Goodluck
I have two fast street cars a GN & a 442. They are built as street cars that occationally see the track not track cars that occationally see the street. Get a 200-4r from a shop that specializes and you will love it. On a heavy street car torque is your friend. I think a small cube high winding 327 would be great with a six speed in a g-body but with an auto go big. Over the years I have driven lots of well set up sbc 350s and they are great until you have something better to compare them to. Again thats on a heavy real street car. On a down & dirty lets run 9s as cheap as possible its hard to beat a 350 with lots of spray. Also since you have not found a motor yet consider a 500 Cad as you can often pick them up for next to nothing and they are a fairly easy swap into a g-body. You don't need crazy speed parts to make them go fast on pump gas either.
- Status
