turbo 400

[nitroraptor2]

I got my 1987 El Camino 2 years ago and it has a turbo hydro-matic 400 in it (Stamped into pan) I need to know 2 things the first being if the 1987 came with that, the second being what it cam out of because the shape of the pan does not match any in my shop manuals (I will post pictures when I get home tonight). It is possible that the old owner had it installed because he was using it to haul large trailers but I cant be sure.

thanks
nitroraptor2

[baxter2w2]

TH400 the pan looks kinda like the state of texas(shape anyways). the 87 should have come with an overdrive tranny. there is also no kick down/throttle valve cable on a th400, just a single wire on the side to control the psaaing gear. lastly the th400 has a large output shaft yolk compaired to a th350 or 700R4.

[TrannyMike]

That trans was a conversion at some time. It's one of the most durable trannys ever built, but it won't get you great gas milage. It came in cars with big block motors most of the time or a truck. The truck models had a "bolt-on" yoke, the cars had a slip yoke.

[nitroraptor2]

that explains why I get bad gas mileage. is that tranny known to have slow acceleration from the line because I have an awful time trying keep up with traffic until it changes gears.

[goodcruiser]

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=31362
The th400 does use more HP to make them go but they can be built to take the slip out and then it comes down to HP and rearend gear.It sounds to me that you have a bad match for what you want out of your vehicle.
If you know someone that has a set of tires one size smaller than yours on the rear that will fit see if you can borrow them then take a drive to see if you get an improvement in reaction.By going to a smaller tire you reduce the overall drive ratio,keep in mind this probably won't improve fuel mileage any but you should be able to offset it a little by not slamming your foot to the floor(I know thats no fun).The change in feel will be slight but it should give you direction of where you want to go.

[TrannyMike]

Originally Posted by goodcruiser

http://www.elcaminocentral.com/showthread.php?t=31362
The th400 does use more HP to make them go but they can be built to take the slip out and then it comes down to HP and rearend gear.It sounds to me that you have a bad match for what you want out of your vehicle.
If you know someone that has a set of tires one size smaller than yours on the rear that will fit see if you can borrow them then take a drive to see if you get an improvement in reaction.By going to a smaller tire you reduce the overall drive ratio,keep in mind this probably won't improve fuel mileage any but you should be able to offset it a little by not slamming your foot to the floor(I know thats no fun).The change in feel will be slight but it should give you direction of where you want to go.

A 400 does use up about 25HP more to run it. That's probably why it feels like you don't have much get up and go. That's also why it's mostly used on big block motors. They have that extra power to run it better.

[steelybill]

The TH400 is also around 60 lbs heavier than a TH350, for example. So the extra weight and the power it soaks up make it more of a big block item.

[centex396]

This link might help you out. It shows the "typical" gear ratio for a given trans.
http://www.maliburacing.com/auto_tranny_id.htm

[TrannyMike]

Originally Posted by centex396

This link might help you out. It shows the "typical" gear ratio for a given trans.
http://www.maliburacing.com/auto_tranny_id.htm

That's a great chart for reference!

[DONE DEAL DONNY]

So which will take more abuse, a 400 or a 700r4? I have both in my El Caminos and I'm wondering which I'll be replace first?
Donny

[TrannyMike]

Originally Posted by DONE DEAL DONNY

So which will take more abuse, a 400 or a 700r4? I have both in my El Caminos and I'm wondering which I'll be replace first?
Donny

Donny I'm sure that YOU can destroy ANY tranny, but the 400 is tougher without a doubt!

[goodcruiser]

In my opinion the th400 will stand up better because it has a dedicated center support that is bolted down to the case ,the bolt is accessed by removing the valvebody and plates.By having it bolted down it doesn't move near as much keeping the transfer of power in a more lineal direction without internal deflection.

[DONE DEAL DONNY]

Originally Posted by TrannyMike

Donny I'm sure that YOU can destroy ANY tranny, but the 400 is tougher without a doubt!

Thats why I'm gonna make you my friend!!!!
It figures the 400 will hold up better cause it's in the 68 that I don't dog on (much)
The 700R4 is the one catching all the abuse!!
Donny

[TrannyMike]

Originally Posted by DONE DEAL DONNY

Thats why I'm gonna make you my friend!!!!
It figures the 400 will hold up better cause it's in the 68 that I don't dog on (much)
The 700R4 is the one catching all the abuse!!
Donny

Yea, I'll be here to help when you blow your trans to smithereens!

[Dinosdad]

Originally Posted by TrannyMike

Yea, I'll be here to help when you blow your trans to smithereens!

Yup... I can vouch for TrannyMike doin' that for DDD...He!!, He did it for Me!

Best Regards,

Tony