Debating the 700r4 or th400 route. I like the idea of overdrive, but I am wondering at what cost...
I already have both transmissions, so that's a start...

 

The TH400 will handle that much power easier than the 700R4. You can build the 700R4, but it'll still wear out eventually. Its just not strong enough for that.

 

Talk to the folks at www.rosslertrans.com

 

i've built my 700r4 and it's holding up to my 383 and a 150 shot for like 2500 miles and 30 bls of juice. It seems to be holding up but who knows.
They do have hardend input and output shafts now

check out www.transmissioncenter.net i purchased my parts there.
i spent like 1000 on parts not including the converter that blew up so i'm using stock converter for now. but plan to buy a 400 and a gear vender to simulate overdrive.
To my understanding 400 is so much cheaper and stronger.

 

http://www.pro-built.net/

Do a search on thirdgen.org and you will see how highly recommended his trannies are. I emailed him about a 700-R4 to hold 500 tq/hp and he said his street strip for $1395.00 would do that. There is no core either so check out his site. I will be getting one this winter.

 

Get one from Pro-built. That guy (Dana something) knows what the heck he's doing. He posts on thirdgen.org alot. I have heard nothing but praise for him and his company. I'm getting that tranny with the 9.5" ACT torque converter sometime soon I hope.

 

Purchase price only, yes. In the long run, NO. Not sure but don't you have the change the driveshaft for the 400 to work? Anyway, without overdrive, your gas mileage sucks the big one.

 

yes you do have to change the drive shaft besides i wouldn't want aluminum driveshaft behind a bulletproof tranny.

Not sure why "aklim" you would say a 400 would not be cheaper in the long run? If you have to rebuild the 700r4 every year or every other year. And the 400 every couple years if any. You can also simulate overdrive by purchasing a gear vender. But if your building a car that needs something stronger than a 700r4 you not too concerned about gas mileage anyway.
If you want something strong and gets good gas mileage buy a t-56.

 

with 500-600hp i doubt he is perticularly worried about gas mileage. i'd go with the 400

 

Actually gas mileage is not a concern, but more of a added bonus. I realize the car is going to be fed some fuel. It will eb street driven fairly often in the warm months, as well as see some strip use on the weekends.
I talked to Dana at Pro Action and here is is response:

 

Reason I say that is because my car is a daily driver. I got one of LPE's 383 in it and they rate it at around 480 ft/lbs of torque and I use it to tow my ATV, Sea Doo, get groceries, go on vacation, go to work, etc. I do stomp on it whenever I get the chance. Cruising, I get around 300 miles on a tank of gas. Gear ratio is 3.73.

In my case, the lack of overdrive will hurt me because I do put around 20000 + miles on it a year.

I kept the tranny running for 3.5 years before it broke. If I were making that level of power (500 - 600) I would certainly get it built up to the max and not have to worry about it breaking for a few years. Even if it did die, I would be better off in the long run with overdrive. Going a few hundred miles towing an ATV without overdrive, it would take gas in large swallows.

 

here in AZ.. $500. well kinda.. the guy who did it did alot of work on my car and cut the price for me.. usually its about 800--1000.

 

The Street/Strip 700R4 is good for about 550 hp maximum, but with the HD input drum it is good for about 625 hp max. Add another $240.00 for the input drum.