Alternate OD options for a TH400

[Beagle]

I don't think it's the HP that's gonna kill it, it's the weight and the trailer behind it's weight.

Add 400.00 for controller on E anything. Dad's 4.3 in a little S10 tore up a 4l60e that had been largely pampered it's whole life. I'm not a fan, and the math doesn't really work for me even at 5.00 a gallon. How many have been in the white car?

[TC]

I don't think it's the HP that's gonna kill it, it's the weight and the trailer behind it's weight.

Add 400.00 for controller on E anything. Dad's 4.3 in a little S10 tore up a 4l60e that had been largely pampered it's whole life. I'm not a fan, and the math doesn't really work for me even at 5.00 a gallon. How many have been in the white car?

Just add a Z-pack and an extra wide kevlar band, along with the good clutches and steels.......

But your right about the controller, this is about the time where the Gear Vendors looks good.......

[tiresmoke!]

Yeah, the engine isn't built up in any way, just whatever the '91 454SS made stock(which is where the replacement engine came from)....

I'd say it's going to be a case of
1) A Gear Vendors(or equivalent if it exists) unit
2) Gear swap(currently has the factory 4.10's, just remembered)...just a case of what ratio to go with.
I just can't justify ditching the TH400, they'll handle pretty much anything you throw at'em.

[Bamfster]

Maybe a taller tire as well ....

[SuperBuickGuy]

If you're planning on towing a trailer - leave it alone. You really won't get better mileage. Again with brother's single wheel 4x, towing 11. It didn't matter if it was a travel trailer or his quad trailer (4 quads on a car trailer)... he got the same mpg 11.

Add to that cost of putting in an overdrive, rebuild the transmission more often. Even if you change the transmission to the even stouter 425 (motorhome transmission) you'll a life of 40k from the transmission. Yeah, I know there are guys who'll pipe up and say they get ten billion miles on their T400, not that they're lying, but they are talking on BS. 400s are cheap to rebuild, but the 10%-16% savings you might get in mpg just won't pencil out on the true costs.

There is much to say about changing tire diameter - it can help, but that varies so much that I'm not going to relate my experiences because they're probably not comparable.

I have an 83 6.2 diesel that I just put a gale banks turbo on... I'm not ever going back to gas powered trucks.

[squirrel]

Don't look at the mileage increase as a percentage...look at it as $ saved per mile, times miles driven per year.

I sure could use an overdrive on my old truck, but it probably won't get one any time soon, unless I luck onto something.

I'm kinda thinking of trying to find some 3.21 gears for the 14 bolt.

[antmnte]

Is the 700 going to live behind that thing just occasionaly towing a trailer or should I tell him not to bother and maybe just change the gears.

[6 Grrrs]

It's a shame when they put the '91 454SS motor in they didn't use the SS's 4L80e then as well. 1990 454SS's (230 hp) came with a TH400, '91-'93 trucks (255 hp) came with a 4L80e. '91-'93 also used the Mark V 454 which included dual exhaust.

I have a 1990 454SS that I have owned since 1991. Mine is heavily modified though.

[milner351]

Great to hear from ya Smoke! Very very sorry to hear about your Dad, far far far too young indeed.

With limited use as you're describing - maybe 7500 miles per year - it would be many years before you paid yourself back as shown above. If you could find a great deal on a known good used one, maybe - but don't forget to add in some $$ for the shortened drive shaft.

You can't play around much with tires on a dually - you have to be very careful you don't get sidwalls too close to each other.

Load Range E tires aint cheap! Used to be able to get "LIBERATOR" tires at walmart 235 - 85 - 16 LRE for about $90. Not any more -LRE tires of any size are $160 and up last time I checked. Cost me $760 to put four on the 2001 crew cab, and that was a deal.

Honestly - as much as you're going to drive it, and especially hauling the trailer.... I know it's blasphemy - but - DRIVE SLOWER!

If you run that big beast hauling a big trailer - the best thing you can do to save yourself money on fuel is to run at 55 - 60mph.
The aerodynamic load of pulling a large by huge trailer goes up rapidly with increasing speed.
Driving slower will not only allow the engine to turn less RPM, but there will also be less load on the engine because the aero load will be lower. I truly believe you'll be best to leave the mechanicals alone (tune it up and put synthetic lube in the rear axle) make sure no brakes are dragging - alignment is good etc, and just drive the big girl slower on the freeway.

and NO - I still haven't done a dinged danged thing with those I beams you helped me load in Indy!