I have a 71 Supreme that I am having a Olds "488 stroker" built (.30 over with 4.5" crank), the shop has a Oldsmobile specialist and he took a ballpark guess for now that the engine will make 550+ Hp and 700+ ftlbs. The current transmission is a factory TH350 and will be replaced since it appears to have internal damage and he suggested a TCI Transmission. He particularly pointed me to the TH350 TCI Streetfighter series so does anyone have any experience with their transmissions or recommendations for a new transmission. Would like to keep it a automatic since the shifter is on the column and I don't really want to convert to a manual since the car is almost completely restored and won't be drag raced or driven much.

 

for a big block you should really go th400 imo. Any good trans shop can usually build you a very strong th400 for less than what a tci will cost you. I do have a th400 for sale with a 3000 stall that lived behind an 11 sec 462 powered olds could be a good strating point for you trans build .

 

Call TCI, I believe their transmissions are stout enough, but I would check with them.

 

I purchased a dual pattern TH350 Street Fighter with converter from Summit back in '94. Installed the trans with new external cooler, fresh dextron in Oct., went to drive from Ft Worth to Cresson the following April for Pate Swap but got halfway and started to smell it getting hot, turned around and limped it back. I had Bright's Ft Worth tear it apart, and discovered corrosion, inferior parts and generally not what you might expect from a "performance" transmission. TCI refused to warranty anything of course because I had another vendor inspect it, and I was forced to have it done right locally. I ended up changing again to a Tremec TKO in '99 and traded the old TH350 for some welding work. That trans resides today behind a friend's BB bowtie in a '55 Chevy. I would strongly recommend finding a good, competent, and reputable trans shop, and avoid buying the brand. Some shops may have a core already that you could buy or perhaps find one in salvage or C/L locally. I know my experience was quite a while ago, and maybe those guys have improved their quality since then. Then again my memory tends to be much like that of an elephant, and the sour taste of that experience has not even started to wear off. Regarding the TH350, it is lighter, and requires less power to run. Many drag racers like them for that reason, but they also routinely go through them. The 400 would provide the better longevity, but I suppose it totally depends on your requirements. Regardless I hope it works out favorably for you, Good Luck!!!!