'78 305 coupe, tranny?

Grumbles · 08-11-2012, 10:29 PM

Anybody know what was standard for this layout as far as auto trannies go? I'm hoping and praying it isn't a 200.

In the depressing event that it is, will a 200 stand up in front of a base 290 hp goodwrench 350?

**77Impala** · 08-12-2012, 01:12 PM

Most likely the TH200. And no it won't hold up to that much hp. Now find a TH200R4 or TH700R4 or last choice TH350. The R4's would give you OD and save a bit on fuel. Plus you can beef them up to handle more HP as needed.

**kingnutin** · 08-13-2012, 11:22 AM

Probably need to check to be sure, but I think the TH350 may have only come on the 350 engines. A 700R4 would be a big upgrade.

**77Impala** · 08-13-2012, 01:01 PM

Nick he has a 305 in it right now. He will be installing a 350 into it.

**kingnutin** · 08-13-2012, 04:49 PM

I know, I was just figuring that he probably has the 200 in it because it came with the 305. I don't know how well it will handle a 350, especially a modern crate motor with a LOT more than the 170hp the 350 came with in 78. Gotta figure, if it wasn't enough to handle that, then 290 is probably way too much. I think a 700R4 would suit you just fine.

Grumbles · 08-19-2012, 06:33 PM

r4 needs a new driveshaft, which is a cost i'd like to avoid. I was thinking a TH350 from summit with a B&M floor shifter, mostly because I don't know shit about tv and kickdown cables and from what I understand if you mess the TV cable up you can kiss your tranny goodbye in like 20 miles.

**Old Bones** · 08-20-2012, 07:45 AM

My 305 had a 250 Trans , when going to a 330 HP 350 cdi I wanted a 700R4 but the cost was too much for my wallet , but a 350 trans built to handle the HP was less than half the cost of a 700R4. (I also added a transcooler too)
It works well for me

**kingnutin** · 08-20-2012, 11:54 AM

Messing the tv cable up, you will notice right away, and it's not that big of a deal. People freak out about driveshafts all the time, and I don't know why. When I rebuilt my tranny, I found out my driveshaft was too long from the factory, I couldn't get it back in. So I had it shortened, rebalanced, and new u-joints put on, all-in-all cost me about $100. With the kind of money you'll already be spending, I just don't see the big deal.

Grumbles · 08-20-2012, 03:14 PM

Basically what it comes down to is I wont be doing most of the switching myself. I learned a long time ago that while I CAN do it myself, it takes weeks with the little spare time I have, and even then I may have chewed something up in my ignorance. I'm aiming for maximum gains with minimum labor cost, and something that should for all intents and purposes drop right in, works great for me.

08-11-2012, 10:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Grumbles Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	'78 305 coupe, tranny? Anybody know what was standard for this layout as far as auto trannies go? I'm hoping and praying it isn't a 200. In the depressing event that it is, will a 200 stand up in front of a base 290 hp goodwrench 350?

08-12-2012, 01:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
77Impala 1st Year of the 5th Generation Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North TX Posts: 6,144 Thanks: 64 Thanked 64 Times in 35 Posts View My Garage 77Impala	Most likely the TH200. And no it won't hold up to that much hp. Now find a TH200R4 or TH700R4 or last choice TH350. The R4's would give you OD and save a bit on fuel. Plus you can beef them up to handle more HP as needed. __________________ 1977 Impala Sedan, 5.0L, TH200, 2.56:1, 100K miles, 37 Lifetime Warranty Parts. 1997 Dodge Ram B2500, 5.2L, 36RH, 3.21:1, 373K miles, 24 Lifetime Warranty Parts.

08-13-2012, 11:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
kingnutin 8th Gen Antagonist Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver , WA Posts: 11,780 Thanks: 197 Thanked 528 Times in 358 Posts View My Garage kingnutin	Probably need to check to be sure, but I think the TH350 may have only come on the 350 engines. A 700R4 would be a big upgrade. __________________ 1978 Caprice Classic Landau 350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl Stock rebuilt TH350 Edelbrock performer cam + intake Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed) Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks 95 9C1 3.08 posi 4 wheel disc brakes! 16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

08-13-2012, 01:01 PM	#4 (permalink)
77Impala 1st Year of the 5th Generation Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: North TX Posts: 6,144 Thanks: 64 Thanked 64 Times in 35 Posts View My Garage 77Impala	Nick he has a 305 in it right now. He will be installing a 350 into it. __________________ 1977 Impala Sedan, 5.0L, TH200, 2.56:1, 100K miles, 37 Lifetime Warranty Parts. 1997 Dodge Ram B2500, 5.2L, 36RH, 3.21:1, 373K miles, 24 Lifetime Warranty Parts.

08-13-2012, 04:49 PM	#5 (permalink)
kingnutin 8th Gen Antagonist Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver , WA Posts: 11,780 Thanks: 197 Thanked 528 Times in 358 Posts View My Garage kingnutin	I know, I was just figuring that he probably has the 200 in it because it came with the 305. I don't know how well it will handle a 350, especially a modern crate motor with a LOT more than the 170hp the 350 came with in 78. Gotta figure, if it wasn't enough to handle that, then 290 is probably way too much. I think a 700R4 would suit you just fine. __________________ 1978 Caprice Classic Landau 350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl Stock rebuilt TH350 Edelbrock performer cam + intake Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed) Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks 95 9C1 3.08 posi 4 wheel disc brakes! 16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

08-19-2012, 06:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Grumbles Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	r4 needs a new driveshaft, which is a cost i'd like to avoid. I was thinking a TH350 from summit with a B&M floor shifter, mostly because I don't know shit about tv and kickdown cables and from what I understand if you mess the TV cable up you can kiss your tranny goodbye in like 20 miles.

08-20-2012, 07:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
Old Bones Caprice Classic with Class Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Port Coquitlam B.C. Canada Posts: 4,143 Thanks: 265 Thanked 288 Times in 173 Posts View My Garage Old Bones	My 305 had a 250 Trans , when going to a 330 HP 350 cdi I wanted a 700R4 but the cost was too much for my wallet , but a 350 trans built to handle the HP was less than half the cost of a 700R4. (I also added a transcooler too) It works well for me __________________ People who drive slower than me are Assholes. People who drive faster than me are Crazy. 1983 Caprice Classic. 350 CID. 330 HP. 380 Ft.Lbs. Torque. Turbo 350 Trans. with Cooler. Headman Headers. Magnaflow Cats. Flowmaster Delta 50 Mufflers. Electric Fan. Compu STAR Alarm. Crazy Canuck behind the Wheel.

08-20-2012, 11:54 AM	#8 (permalink)
kingnutin 8th Gen Antagonist Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver , WA Posts: 11,780 Thanks: 197 Thanked 528 Times in 358 Posts View My Garage kingnutin	Messing the tv cable up, you will notice right away, and it's not that big of a deal. People freak out about driveshafts all the time, and I don't know why. When I rebuilt my tranny, I found out my driveshaft was too long from the factory, I couldn't get it back in. So I had it shortened, rebalanced, and new u-joints put on, all-in-all cost me about $100. With the kind of money you'll already be spending, I just don't see the big deal. __________________ 1978 Caprice Classic Landau 350 2-bolt, stock 4bbl Stock rebuilt TH350 Edelbrock performer cam + intake Dual 2 1/2" Flowmaster exhuast (waiting to be installed) Edelbrock IAS Classic shocks 95 9C1 3.08 posi 4 wheel disc brakes! 16x8 American Racing Baja's with 225/60/16 Pirelli P4's

08-20-2012, 03:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
Grumbles Member Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 47 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Basically what it comes down to is I wont be doing most of the switching myself. I learned a long time ago that while I CAN do it myself, it takes weeks with the little spare time I have, and even then I may have chewed something up in my ignorance. I'm aiming for maximum gains with minimum labor cost, and something that should for all intents and purposes drop right in, works great for me.

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