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700R vs 350/400 Turbo
#786995 January 05th 2022 12:18 pm
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Hey guys ; I have a 1974 G10 with the original 350/4 barrel and a 3 on the tree. My plan is to build the original block ( 36,241 original miles ) or do a crate motor.

Keep going back and forth on doing a 350/400 turbo and " Freeway " gears vs a 700R.

What is your take ?

Re: 700R vs 350/400 Turbo
SDMickey #786997 January 05th 2022 1:16 pm
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YOU need to ask and answer -

How far are you really gonna drive it? Is a long trip 50 miles or are you planning on attending the 50th Nats in (hopefully) Colorado?

Do you have a bum leg that prevents you from using the clutch? Does your right arm function? What's wrong with the og combo?

With 36k miles it probably only needs thorough tune-up and a fuel system cleaning. There's a gazillion g-vans out there running original equipment.

Sorry to be so blunt.

If it was me, I'd keep all as is and save about $10k but if I was gonna change things, I'd opt for a modern LS, a 4L80 and an LSD.

Re: 700R vs 350/400 Turbo
SDMickey #787008 January 05th 2022 8:14 pm
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I hear you Brother. My heart wants to visit as many Vanners I've met thru this Forum through out this Good Ol' USA . For being a card carrying member of The Class of 74' ; I'm doing pretty good.

Had a BIG scare in 2019 and you just never know. If I won the Lotto I would do a LS swap; however a mild build would be cool like I did on my " Original" 74' ; it was my favorite ( had a 1967; 1971 & 1974 )

The van Gods blessed me with my current 74' from Original owner. Appreciate the pep talk.

Re: 700R vs 350/400 Turbo
SDMickey #787068 January 07th 2022 12:31 pm
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Don't know what your budget is but a crate motor (with the warranty) is in most cases the best way to go. Rebuilding a motor (unless you do it a lot) is pretty involved to do it "correctly" but only you can answer that question.

As for the trans.......have to ask your self how much and what type of driving are you going to do? Just short trips to local events or long trips to where ever?
Short trips with the performance I guess a TH400 is the way to go with the correct gear for how much get up and go you are looking for.

Long trips the 700R is your best bet.

For both types the other option is the 400 with a performance gear of choice with a gear vender unit installed on the trans.....will give you the best of both types of driving.


Recently purchased (10-2021) a 1991 Chevy G-20 “Shorty”. Past vans are a 1976 Chevy G-10 (purchased new in 1976 & sold in 1995). A 1978 Chevy G-20 Shorty purchased in 2010 and sold in 2015.
Re: 700R vs 350/400 Turbo
SDMickey #787272 January 13th 2022 9:05 pm
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Right on Thanks for the intel !

Re: 700R vs 350/400 Turbo
SDMickey #787273 January 13th 2022 10:22 pm
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The 700R all day, city or highway. Low gear is lower than 350/400 and the OD saves you on the open road. More grunt from light to light and better MPG.
Compare the gear ratios.

1 member likes this: frscke1
Re: 700R vs 350/400 Turbo
SDMickey #787277 January 14th 2022 2:51 pm
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Originally Posted by SDMickey
Hey guys ; I have a 1974 G10 with the original 350/4 barrel and a 3 on the tree. My plan is to build the original block ( 36,241 original miles ) or do a crate motor.

Keep going back and forth on doing a 350/400 turbo and " Freeway " gears vs a 700R.

What is your take ?

Gday !

Well, If money doesn't matter!! My left leg I pushed a stiff C10 327/4sp clutch for 15 years in my '70 Shorty, sez LS 5.3/4LE .

I'm thinking build as in Vroom build Hmm. Hey in Cali, Is 1974 a Pre Emissions year? Do you have to pass Smog? If so no smog, that would be so cool. Reseal/ freshen up the 350, if needed. A 700R4 would be a lot nicer, than say a 350/350 with 3.42 gears, but that would be the stock setup. You could even have a 3.08 up to a 4.11 in your rear end, stock.

A 4L80 would be nice behind my 7.4, instead of the T400. Like FRSKE1's, 2 BBC's. :DBut the 7.4/ T400/ 3.42 is fine for cruising around not being in any hurry hauling 12 people or 9000 plus pounds around up to 65 MPH with no sweat. And it's stock. Gear Vendors would be cool.

A 350 4bbl 3speed column shift 1974 G10 van is very cool. You could hot rod the motor, but I'd not plan on getting too awful frisky with that 3 speed!

Re: 700R vs 350/400 Turbo
SDMickey #787411 January 16th 2022 6:40 pm
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Always open to advice. 1974 = No smog required. It's about the budget to consider vs usage

Last edited by SDMickey; January 16th 2022 6:41 pm.

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