th400 swap worries - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bo White · 12-21-2015, 04:03 PM

Ive been seeing and hearing questions and comments on tranny swaps of the nonoverdrive variety.
Ill put this here then.
Im in my 40s. I consider myself part of the last generation that seen new cars on the lot that didnt have OD. Never had a problem with it and still dont because of that. I will also say that I was part of the generation that seen all the issues the early ODs had. Some new car buyers even avoided cars with ODs because of not wanting a possible issue.
Some may say that 4.11s with a 28.6" tall tire and no OD would not be DD material.....
I say your Dad and Granddad done it all the time and drove across the country with such gearing with a short 26" tire(all factory stock mind you). Daily drove em without a second thought. I am of the same opinion.
Granted the ODs of today are awesome, cant take that away from them.
Say you have an 1978 Z28 with 3.42s, 26" tires and a TH350, all factory. With the larger tires of the new Camaro that would be equal to 3.73s with no OD. New Camaro M6 has 3.45s so its even a milder gear than that comparison.
I had said 1978 Z28, drove it everywhere.....
I also had 3.73s in 2 other 2nd gens....drove them everywhere too. That would be 4.11s in a new Camaro....no OD.
I just dont get the fear of this. Its by far nothing that hadnt been done a million times in the past....from the showroom floor.

bcguy · 12-21-2015, 04:39 PM

The price of fuel has changed a bit from that era

. Seriously, I had my car with the 6 speed standard. You could cruise at an idle pretty much , now with the 3 speed I find on the hyway I want another gear . It's a play car ,non serious drag car ,so I don't care but it is noticeable once you take it for any distance. The good part about it is it is noisier at hyway speeds so you tend not to speed , where before you look down and your at 140 km ( Canada)

pancherj · 12-21-2015, 08:29 PM

The biggest advantage I see is being able to have a 4000 stall converter that can lock up on the highway. This is especially important for a heavy vehicle and an engine that makes poor (ish) low speed torque.

bct10985 · 12-23-2015, 08:18 AM

You already know my opinion we have commented back and forth about it a few times.

renbiane · 12-27-2015, 11:46 PM

agree,we have commented back and forth about it a few times.

BplumCrazy-SS · 01-06-2016, 08:56 AM

I don't see the big deal either... I'm 35 and drive mine EVERYWHERE around 12-15K miles a year

bowtienick · 01-25-2016, 02:52 PM

Yeah I'm getting tired of braking stuff. As much as I LOVE the M6 I'm thinking of doing a th400 or 350, manual valvebody and brake. I would still stret drive it too. I have done it before in a iroc with 4.10s and 4000 stall. Little sketchy in rain but it was fun.

Irnwkrkev · 01-25-2016, 05:42 PM

After running a stick at the track an auto would seem kinda boring unless it was stupid fast.

I think I'd rather faceplate the stock trans and see what it can do.

Couldn't imagine trying to take a 3spd auto an hour and a half on the expressway to get to the track.

12-21-2015, 04:03 PM	#1
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,019	th400 swap worries Ive been seeing and hearing questions and comments on tranny swaps of the nonoverdrive variety. Ill put this here then. Im in my 40s. I consider myself part of the last generation that seen new cars on the lot that didnt have OD. Never had a problem with it and still dont because of that. I will also say that I was part of the generation that seen all the issues the early ODs had. Some new car buyers even avoided cars with ODs because of not wanting a possible issue. Some may say that 4.11s with a 28.6" tall tire and no OD would not be DD material..... I say your Dad and Granddad done it all the time and drove across the country with such gearing with a short 26" tire(all factory stock mind you). Daily drove em without a second thought. I am of the same opinion. Granted the ODs of today are awesome, cant take that away from them. Say you have an 1978 Z28 with 3.42s, 26" tires and a TH350, all factory. With the larger tires of the new Camaro that would be equal to 3.73s with no OD. New Camaro M6 has 3.45s so its even a milder gear than that comparison. I had said 1978 Z28, drove it everywhere..... I also had 3.73s in 2 other 2nd gens....drove them everywhere too. That would be 4.11s in a new Camaro....no OD. I just dont get the fear of this. Its by far nothing that hadnt been done a million times in the past....from the showroom floor.

12-21-2015, 04:39 PM	#2
bcguy bcguy Drives: 2011 ss/rs m6 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: british columbia canada Posts: 507	The price of fuel has changed a bit from that era . Seriously, I had my car with the 6 speed standard. You could cruise at an idle pretty much , now with the 3 speed I find on the hyway I want another gear . It's a play car ,non serious drag car ,so I don't care but it is noticeable once you take it for any distance. The good part about it is it is noisier at hyway speeds so you tend not to speed , where before you look down and your at 140 km ( Canada) __________________ Agp 62/66 ,lsx 427. , Callie's ,diamond ,all pro ,American racing ,I'ds130s,102 intake and throttle body,etc .fore triple , Turbo 400 level 5 , b and m pro , dss carbon fiber , dss ford 9 inch with strange pumpkin,3.73 ratio,1400 hp axels,boost and air fuel pillar guages. Weld rts 17x10 and 17x4.5 with m and h drag radials and skinnys

12-23-2015, 08:18 AM	#4
bct10985 Drives: 2010 2SS LS3, 2013 duramax Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Dover, De Posts: 1,451	You already know my opinion we have commented back and forth about it a few times. __________________ ECS Ysi-B, cam, Tsp 2" longtubes, Squash dual pumps, Id1300s, meth, 4L80e, FTI 3600, ZL1 3.73 diff, BMR suspension, 15" conversion, weld rts mt 275 et street R. 9.6@147mph

01-06-2016, 08:56 AM	#6
BplumCrazy-SS Drives: 416 w/TH400 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Houston Posts: 697	I don't see the big deal either... I'm 35 and drive mine EVERYWHERE around 12-15K miles a year __________________ ERL 416 - 12.5 cr, TH400, Custom VVT Cam, PRC 255 heads, NW 102 TB, Aeromotive stealth fuel system, Fast 102 plumbed with a nitrous express direct port kit, BMR 15" conversion kit

12-21-2015, 08:29 PM	#3
pancherj Drives: 2010 Camaro SS Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Central PA Posts: 438	The biggest advantage I see is being able to have a 4000 stall converter that can lock up on the highway. This is especially important for a heavy vehicle and an engine that makes poor (ish) low speed torque.

12-27-2015, 11:46 PM	#5
renbiane Drives: camaro Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: CA Posts: 2	agree,we have commented back and forth about it a few times.

01-25-2016, 02:52 PM	#7
bowtienick Drives: 2010 ss m6 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: houston Posts: 117 View My Garage	Yeah I'm getting tired of braking stuff. As much as I LOVE the M6 I'm thinking of doing a th400 or 350, manual valvebody and brake. I would still stret drive it too. I have done it before in a iroc with 4.10s and 4000 stall. Little sketchy in rain but it was fun.

01-25-2016, 05:42 PM	#8
Irnwkrkev Drives: 2011 SS/RS LS3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Miami Posts: 528	After running a stick at the track an auto would seem kinda boring unless it was stupid fast. I think I'd rather faceplate the stock trans and see what it can do. Couldn't imagine trying to take a 3spd auto an hour and a half on the expressway to get to the track.