
- #HISTORY OF THE 700R4 TRANSMISSION HOW TO#
- #HISTORY OF THE 700R4 TRANSMISSION INSTALL#
- #HISTORY OF THE 700R4 TRANSMISSION SERIES#
The identification of a 700-R4 is easily identifiable due to special features. The 700-R4 was one of the best automatic transmission designs in its class and paved the way for more innovative designs as technology evolved. Replacement parts for the 700-R4 were easily accessible in addition to perks like the impressive improvement to fuel economy and cooler operating temperatures. Fuel consumption decreased by as much as 30% on the highway. There was a growing demand for more fuel efficiency and less emissions, and the 700-R4 met the challenge. The transmission was met with praise in the automotive markets. He is a member of the Sonnax TASC Force (Technical Automotive Specialties Committee), a group of recognized industry technical specialists, transmission rebuilders and Sonnax technicians.The General Motors (GM) 700r4 transmission, also referred to as the “Turbo Hydra-Matic”, surfaced in 1982 to replace the retired, less durable, 3 speed TH350. Gregg Nader is the Sonnax high performance transmission product line manager.
#HISTORY OF THE 700R4 TRANSMISSION SERIES#
If you are really looking to take performance to the next level with all the advantages of modern programming and greater horsepower potential, check out these Sonnax build charts for 4L60-E series transmissions. A more modern, 4L60-E series unit with electronic controls will support easier, more predictable adjustments through aftermarket tuning techniques. For even firmer shifts or with high-stall converters that tend to dampen shifts, go up to 50% larger.įurther fine tuning shift characteristics with the 700-R4’s old-school, mechanical controls is challenging, especially with the variety of OE core calibrations out there. A good starting point when tuning transmissions for shorter shifts is to increase clutch feed holes sizes by 20% area.
#HISTORY OF THE 700R4 TRANSMISSION HOW TO#
If you want to enlarge feed orifices in the 700-R4 or other GM transmissions, learn how to avoid problems by picking the right drill size in our guide to Drilling Orifices the Smart Way. It is very easy to use the wrong size drill, though, and produce harsh shifts. This helps with otherwise lazy-shifting transmissions, hardworking commercial applications or units modified for performance use. The following Sonnax transmission components are recommended for maximizing durability in any build.ħ00-R4 (4L60) Clutch Feed Orifices to Drill to Fine Tune Shift Feelĭrilling clutch feed orifices is a proven way to reduce clutch engagement time and firm-up shift feel. For those looking to improve 700-R4 torque capacity, a common question is: how much horsepower can the 700-R4 handle? While it’s an older transmission, the 700-R4 is no slouch and still very capable in many applications up to about 750HP.
#HISTORY OF THE 700R4 TRANSMISSION INSTALL#
Compared to other transmissions, the 700-R4 is a compact unit, is familiar to many and usually simple to install without a computer. A steep 1 st Gear gets heavy vehicles moving and makes for great burnouts, while the Overdrive 4 th Gear delivers lower-cruise RPM. The 4L60-E has an aluminum valve body with computer-controlled solenoids actuating the shifts. The 700-R4 has a cast iron valve body controlled by throttle cable and mechanical governor determining shift points. The valve body itself is the biggest difference between these two types of 4-speeds. This new naming convention continued with the later 4-speed, electronically-controlled series of units designated as the 4L60-E, 4L65-E, 4L70-E and 4L75-E. The OEM simply changed the official name of the unit in 1989 - some eight years after the 700-R4 was introduced. A little less commonly known is that the 700-R4 is the exact same transmission as a GM 4L60. This means many of the Sonnax parts developed to improve 4L60-E performance and durability also can be used in the 700-R4.Īs a little background, the 700-R4 is a GM Turbo-Hydramatic unit known by a number of acronyms, including TH700R4, TH 700R4, THM700R4 and THM 700R4. Most of the unit’s internal components are shared with the ’93-later 4L60-E, which was regularly improved/revised up through 2010. Introduced in 1982, the 4-speed Overdrive GM 700-R4 transmission - also known as the 4L60 - remains a popular option for street/strip performance applications.
