Anybody get a 700R4 from Bowtie Overdrives? I want a 700R4 behind my 383 and want to know people's feelings about them.

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1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's

(click to see a bigger version)

not from BTO but ive used 700r4's... the od is nice and any modern trans shop has the bugs worked out of them.

but .. from a conversion standpoint you might want to go with one of BTO's built up 200r4's.. its an easier fit.. and they are just as strong when built right. and they weigh less.

get a stage III 200 r4 and you wont be disappointed.

people use these in grand nationals.. you wont hurt it.

I have the 200-4R and love it. Simple drop-in setup. Everything bolts right up. Either one will need some playing around to get the TV cable set right so pay the extra for the pressure and temp gage. More info on my web page.

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Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

I did the 700r4 swap this late spring from bto. Very positive experiance. They helped me out with every little question I had. The crossmember bolted in like it was from GM. The drive shaft shortening was not any trouble at all. I bought the stage 2 trans and got a 2200 stall converter. so far it has been fantastic. I still need to change my gear ratio in my diff to take advantage of my engine's cam to notice a serious boost in performance. The motor in front of it is cranking about 380-400 hp and 420 ftlbs. The trans doesn't mind it at all. The tcc made ez system from them made it so easy to set up the trans. I recommend it! the 700r4 was not difficult for me cause my trans was a th350, though the drive shaft still needed to be made shorter. Go with a 3.55 gear or 3.77 ratio. for good perfomance and good street manners. - Tom

|UPDATED|8/18/2004 10:11:07 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

Thanks for the info Tom. Its always nice to hear positive experiences when you are thinking about getting something. I'm thinking this winter I may swap out my rear for some 3.55s or 3.73s to take advantage of the overdrive and also to replace it with some heavy duty parts. Can you still shift the 700R4 manually when you want? I think I'm asking if it has a manual/automatic valve body....I don't know much when it comes to transmissions. I just like being able to do that with my TH-350 every now and then. It shifts too soon when you want to get on it from a light.

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1977 Corvette EX-L48
383 Stroker, Holley MPFI, MSD Ignition, BTO 700R4, VBP Street/Slalom, Hooker Sidepipes with JCL Spiral Baffles, Corbeau A4s w/ Shark Bar and Simpson 5-Points, 17" AR TTII's, Kumho MX's

(click to see a bigger version)

I have been thinking about getting their stage 2 700R4 as well. Seems like they have the right stuff. Everyone I have talked to says dropping in that 700R4 is the best thing they ever did, it really improves the launch because of the lower 1st gear ratio, but will greatly improve highway mileage also.

Tumarr said: Go with a 3.55 gear or 3.77 ratio. for good perfomance and good street manners. - Tom

what ratio do you have now?

with a 2.73 or 3.08 your launch ratio isnt very good.. (8.4,9.4)

but with a 3.36 or 3.55 its very respectable (10.3,10.9)

with 3.73,3.90,4.11 (11.4, 11.9, 12.6) you start having problems hooking up.. great for spinning tires.. not so good for getting that quick launch.

your OD rpm at 70 mph (assuming 27" tires) would be 2050, 2166, 2275 resptively with 3.36,3.55,3.73

I think the 3.36 or 3.55 would be good with the 700r4 with street tires.. 3.73 might be a little too far.

with an SB id probably go 3.55 with a BB or high torque SB id go 3.36

|UPDATED|8/19/2004 9:30:36 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

I agree with Ben. I personally would go with the 3.36. I am interested in mileage. And I like about 2000 rpm cruising. But for a bit more off the line go up one more. Either way you will probably be happy.

I run 3.55 gears with my 700r4. Great combination! 70mph tachs about 2100-2200 rpm. I used a 2000 rpm stall converter.