Vannin' Home Forums Chevy General Discussion Trans swap

Hey y’all, my first thread. Just recently acquired a 77 g10 shorty w/ a 327 swapped in. It is a three on the tree. I can drive it but live in a city of traffic lights and terrible drivers. Im working on rebushing and adjusting the shift shafts to get it acceptable. However within the year would like to swap to an auto trans. Is there a trans anyone would recommend? I’ve been looking at the 700r4. Any thoughts, help, or experience would be greatly appreciated. I’m assuming at minimum I’d need a 3 or 4 speed non electric trans and steering column.

Pretty much any Chevy auto will be a decent choice. Just do your research and weigh the pros and cons of each. I find a well built TH350 hard to beat, but the overdrive of some of the more modern transmissions like the 4L series and 700r4 or 2004R are appealing for long distance runs as well.

I would suggest adjusting your current shift linkages really good, drive it for a while, and give yourself plenty of time to make up your mind. Once you go through the trouble of a swap, you may decide to go a different route, so best to be sure of exactly what you want before you do. TONS of research.

Here is a good article to start with.

http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/46140-chevrolet-transmission-swap-guide/

200R4. What's your rear gear?

Kursed, thanks for the well thought out response! I will definitely read that article. I was poking around last night and there are lots of 700r4 trans available for decent prices around me. I had not done any research on the 200r4 but absolutely will. Just wanting to stay analog on this van in the spirit of 77’

Hasan, in all honesty I don’t know. I do know I cant find a filler plug on it as I tried to swap my diff fluid. I’ll see if I can find a stamp somewhere

2004R is a great alternative to a 700R4 if you can come across one cheap. The 700 is usually much easier to find at a reasonable price. I just got offered a good rebuilt 350 engine with the 200 trans out of a Monte Carlo, but $1000 was a bit out of my league at the moment. It does offer a bit deeper overdrive though for the long hauls.

Kursed, I will keep my eyes peeled for a 200 trans, as far as the overdrive lock up, would you recommend a manual switch or another route?

That part I'm not sure of bud. I know there are places that sell TV cables like TCI for doing the swap, but I've never done one.

A turbo 350 would fit the bill yeah? Other than the fact it’s a 3 speed and doesn’t have overdrive? It isn’t electronically controlled is it?

No sir, it is analog. That's what I'm running in my van and my Chevelle, so I own 4 TH350s at the moment. Several will be rebuilt and waiting for the Chevelle for when it blows the next one at the track.