ok. im new to gm autos. im going to be putting a th400 in my car, with a 3200rpm stall and i did search, but havent been able to find what i need to know. figured there should be some pretty knowledgable people here. anyhow. i want to rebuild the trans before i put it in and need it to hold a fair amount of power. i plan to put at least 600tq through it and was wondering what all needs done. i found these kits on summit that include new clutches, steeles, shiftkits, etc...

hughes

tci

b&m

im just not sure what else would need to be replaced, and also, which of these kits would you recomend. also, any pointers on the rebuild or what to be extra carefull with, otr ay special tweaks to help it hold more power etc.. i plan on using and external filter kit and a large trans cooler to keep the fluid clean and cool. anyway, enough rambling i guess. on wit hthe comments, suggestions etc... thanks in advance.
william

 

looks like the B&M kit the best deal out of that list since it does include a shift kit! you will need a good torque converter! I sugest you try Tampa torque on Hillsborough ave, they will help you with matching your converter up to your ride! have you ever rebuilt a tranny before?

 

no, i havent myself. my friend dave has. if he is around he will help me with the build. that way i can learn to do it myself. plan to start reading books on rebuilding them soon. just dont have the cash in hand to order the service manual yet. i know the th400 sucks more power then a th350, but from what ive found by researching, is it takes less to build a 400 to hold the same amount of power as a 350, so, i cant just spend money anywhere so try to be conservative when i can. thats why i need to know if any hard parts need changed out or will i be good wit hthe clutches, steels, kevlar belt, etc.. also was wondering if any of those kits included extra clutches. in the summit catalog, iirc, the hughes kit has blue coral clutches and koleen steels and has extra clutchs. dont recall the b&m kit saying it had more cluths. if i have to buy a more exspensive trans kit for it to hold, thats fine. i dont want to cheap out on things that will just fail on me, but i cant aford to go pay over $1k+ for a built trans. i can get a good th400 from a friend for ~$50. hes got all kinds of spare parts. and then the build kit with stronger clutches and whatnot for <$300 then free labor by doing as much of the work as i can myself with some instruction from my friend dave. makes it alot more affordable as i still need the convertor, and then a driveshaft. thought the last driveshaft i had made only cost $20 so that shouldnt be too bad.

also, thnx for the info on tampa tq. didnt know they exsisted. makes it easier for a convertor. just hope it isnt too much. i figue a 10in street strip unit should work well and fit in the stock toyota bellhousing.
william

 

the B&M kit should have everything you need for clutches, as far as hard parts? you will have to see what the condition your is when you tear it down? You might want to look at this book at your local parts store> Rebulding the GM automatic transmission by Haynes? it`s only $15.00.

 

sweet. ill check my bank account after i finish paying all my bills then prolly swing by barnes and noble. i just ordered the adaptor this week to bolt the stock bh to the front pump on the th400. then got some other misc crap i needed. i hate bills, cuts into my car fund too much. lol anyhow, from what your saying, as long as all the hard parts are in good shape, they shouldnt need upgrade to hold 600tq at the wheels? thats what i really need to know. i dont mind buying them, itll take longer to finish it, but i dont want to have to rebuild this thing again for a long while.
william

 

Yes! your hard parts will work if in good condition!

 

B&M is junk. convertors, trannys, shift kits (or whatever they call them).

 

trans kit is a full rebuild kit with better clutches, steels, kevlar band, etc.. though if it is junk, what would you recomend?

 

hmm, only time i can see the input shaft needeing replaced is for the powerglyde. havent read anything or been told before to upgrade the input shaft of a th400. as for the rebuild, ill prolly go manual valve body for the fact id rather have manual, but at this point, the mods i have to go on will start destroying the manual trannies i have, and i cant afford a t56 to stick in there so auto it is.
william