Quick question, guys. I don't have a 3rd gen, but my cousin is asking me about the ability of a 700R4 out of an '87 Camaro 305 to handle his somewhat built 350 for his Monte Carlo. Supposedly the engine makes around 345 hp (he said he dynoed it there, but I don't know if it was engine or chassis). Did the 305 use the same version of the tranny as the 350 (with its ~ 345 lb-ft)? I assume so, but I figured there is no place better to ask than in the 3rd gen section of our beloved board. Any info/ opinions would be greatly appreciated.

Unfortunately, I don't know how he intends to use the Monte (drag car? just cruising?), nor do I know if the tranny has been recently rebuilt or was just yanked from an old 3rd gen? I just want to give him some info so he can decide or dig deeper if he wants.

TIA.

 

Its the same tranny, but often times a tranny thats been getting along behind a 305 doesn't have what it takes to handle a 350 anymore, much less one putting out significantly more power than stock. I think he would probably get away with it as long as he goes easy, but if he starts beating on it its going to get questionable, put slicks on it, forget about it.

 

I agree.

He might want to at least put in a TransGo shift kit, or their Stage 2 kit if he has a few more $$$ hanging around. This will strengthen it quite a bit.

Finally, he MUST spend a lousy $30 for a 12,000 gvw tranny cooler! This is not a suggestion. I want to emphasize this as much as possible because it will usually DOUBLE the life of the tranny.

Yes DOUBLE

 

Thanks for the feedback, guys.

 

i like the flavor of this post. guys my tranny is cleaner then the whole undercarriage. does this mean its been rebuilt. also 700r4,s in 305 tpis do they hold up well and a tranny cooler is a big deal to install?

 

It means nothing. You cannot tell if it has been rebuilt unless it is taken apart. A cooler is not too difficult. It is plumbed into the radiator on the right side so you disconnect the 2 connections and connect them to the cooler and place the cooler in the front of the car.

 

if its plumbed into the radiator wouldnt that already be a tranny cooler. i f not what is it just rubber hose with hose clamps on the tranny lines

 

is there room for the elongated frame rail coolers?

 

You might have a few clearance problems with this type of cooler,but you could mount it cross-ways across the bottom of the radiator,but why? I did this ,but only cause the cooler was free and when it started leaking (picked up a stone I went double.
The cost differance is not worth it get a good double duty cooler and use one side for the tranny ,and one side for the engine oil you kill two birds with one stone.


And yes the radiator has a trans cooler built in ,but it only cools to a minimum (the temp of you engine coolant).

 

I would think it helps the tranny to get up to temp on a cold day and cools the tranny on a hot day up to the coolant temp.

 

This would depend on the climate of your area,if you live in a cool regin then you may NOT want a cooler ,but if you live anywhere that the temprature goes over 90* for more then one week a year,you CAN benefit from a trans cooler. If you ARE concernd about being to cool you can run a by-pass,and you can have it thermostaticlly controled as well. If you live in a warm climate,WHY don't you have one yet?


Plus Third Gens run hotter than your average dailydriver sedan,it helps to cool it down for better peformance.