Rittmeister

OK folks, probably the wrong section of the forum so, sorry in advance.

I picked up an 86 rolling body (pretty much complete) as a project (I currently own a 89 FP and a 74 Camaro that were both scrap yard saves, now daily drivers).

I really...REALLY do not want to put a 700 R4 or an FI mess of a motor in it (both give me hives).

Here are the ideas I am thinking.

1. 350 with a 350 T.

2. 350 with a 400T.

3. 305 with a 350T

4. V6 with 350T.

(All motors naturally aspirated as the gods intended).

Ultimately, I will be giving this beasty to my elder kid who is getting her license this year. Dependability and durability are top of my list, of course. Performance is nice but not the point of it. I literally could not care less about gas mileage as cars are what I do instead of drugs. :P

Thanks to all for any advice, input or just fun comments!

Injuneer

Lack of O/D is going to kill the engine with high RPM, consuming huge quantities of fuel in the bargain. At least unless you opt for a low performance 2.xx:1 rear axle ratio.

What do you have against the 700R4? How about a 200R4? Neither of these is going to struggle with a stockish V6/305/350. The TH400 would be huge overkill. The TH350 is a 700R4 without O/D.

I like my TH400.... but it took an expensive Gear Vendors O/D unit to make it bearable on the street. I was cruising at almost 4,000 RPM at 70 MPH without O/D.

Rittmeister

Ahh, OK. A point I missed.

I refuse to deal with electronics. Gutting the 86, smashing the "brain box" and all it stands for while basically building a 1st or 2nd Gen in a 3rd Gen body.

My 89 FB, for example, was redone (by me) to a 305 with a carb, (threw all the FI in the trash), with a T5 manual. The 74 I built was done, bare bones (if it does not add to speed or tunes, it was not included).

Injuneer

The 700R4 is non-electronic, other than a switch for torque converter lockup. There's the derivative 4L60 upgraded, non-electronic version of the 700R4 used in the 93 Camaro/Firebird that is extremely reliable, and can be built to handle big HP.

Personally, even at a very advaced age, I prefer EFI to the carb issues in my "purchased new" 63 Impala 300/327, 66 GTO 398 Tri-Power, and 75 Grand Prix 455 HO.

Rittmeister

Each to their own, of course.

I simply do not like the 700 R4 and do like the 350T and 400T. Personal preference, to be sure.

So you know, in the 74 I built from the wheels up, (saved it from the crusher). It has a 350 done 40 over. 350 with a shift kit on a B&M and 4:11's on a mini-spool. Why? Because the ridiculous beast makes me smile. Yes, it is rough on rear tires and the side pipes (taken off a wrecked Corvette) sound like a war breaking out when I stomp the gas.