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Mounting a 400 in a GN

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Rick

Senior Member
Joined
May 24, 2001
Messages
383
I tried HRPartsNstuff to no avail. Can anyone tell me since I have a 400 tranny and a GN on the way (separately) what I will need to make it work?? The GN is a rolling chassis with a ford rear end so i know I'll need a modified drive shaft. Also what recommendations do you have on a shifter. Keep in mind I've never done this before so be detailed!!!!!!!
 
only the turbo 400's with the bop pattern will work....i have a turbo 400 in my shed along with my 200r4...the th400 i have is for a 72 nova and doesnt have the right bolt pattern...so check there..that should be a start...as for the shifter..i would get either the b&m prostick or the hurst quarter stick (imho):D
 
Give Don a call here http://www.drwtransmission.com/index.htm

his number is in small print at the bottom of the page. He can give you first hand info on getting a 400 mounted up to the GN chassis/engine.

Most importantly (as has been stated) get a 400 with a BOP (Buick Olds Pontiac) bolt pattern only!


As for what a B&M shifter might look like, use the photo link in my sig and check out the Grand National photo album. I think I have a photo of mine in there.
 
As previously stated about the bolt pattern is the main concern.
Next is to make sure it is a short tail. Fullsize cars and trucks used a longer tail shaft which would require some drastic driveshaft shortening and crossmember repositioning. The casings are the same, it is the output shaft and the tailshaft housing that are different.
Stick with the short tail. As far as mounting it, it should go right in with the stock TH2004r crossmember. Keep in mind there are also 2 different crossmembers. The Buick style has an offset mount. The Chevy/Olds/Pontiac style uses a centered mounting. The latter of the 2 might be a better idea since poly mounts are readily available and wont need adapters to bolt in.
As for shifters..........if you prefer the stock look, then grab one from any 78-87 Regal with a 3 speed (more common on the 78-82 models) OR a 78-88 Olds Cutlass Supreme (again more commone on the 78-82 models).
If you want a racing shifter, then I would say the sky is the limit since all you need is a 3 speed pattern.
Dont forget the 32 spline output yoke for your driveshaft.
 
TH-400

Hey Rick Paul took a few days off for some much needed family time. Putting a 400 isn't a big of a deal. If you don't have a 400 yet you need to do some looking around as there are a couple different BOP cases one of which is MUCH stronger than the other. It ends up fitting much closer to the tunnel and removing the upper bolts is more difficult (takes twice as much time to r&r). Paul's (HRparts) transmittion mount for the conversion makes it easy completely bolt in. You can adapt the stock shifter if desired although an aftermarket shifter may be a better choice for racing. Feel free to email me if you have any specific questions. Dave
 
Hey TurboDave...

...is that a B&M pro stick in your GN? If so, where did you score that slick console plate with the gear indicator? I was thinking of going to the pro stick myself but just thought I'd have to go without a gear indicator.
 
Re: Hey TurboDave...

Originally posted by V8_bait
...is that a B&M pro stick in your GN? If so, where did you score that slick console plate with the gear indicator? I was thinking of going to the pro stick myself but just thought I'd have to go without a gear indicator.

Well, it's a B&M all right, but not a pro-stick, it's a street stick. B&M made them for the regals and monte's back in the late 80's. Whole kit, plate and all.

Unfortunately they discontinued them (lack of sales), so you'll have to settle for a pro stick and fabricate your own plate.
 
thanks for the info...

...I'm used to it by now...a day late and a dollar short everytime! :mad:
 
Take a look at the B&M Megashifter install on my web site. Has a lighted indicator in the console plate.
 
Very nice Nick!

So the mega shifter is ratchet style? I was also looking at the quicksilver and other makes to see what would work. The stock unit just 'feels' a little weak, maybe it's just in my head? Nice installation intructions, well done!
 
I have the quicksilver in mine, I actually bought 3 shifters and decided I liked the quicksilver the best, it fits under the counsel with a little trimming looks kind of close to stock, has the reverse pattern reverse lockout true ratchet action. The biggesst seller for me is the way it ratcheted, you pull it back it shifts you let it go it goes back to the center position you pull again and it shifts again and then back to the center position, I just like the way it feels a lot better.

as far as the install it is a breeze I got the tranny from jimmy so I didn't have to find the core but it bolted in without tranny tunnel mods I modified/welded a bit on the crossmember to get it to work but used the origional frame bolt locations, ran the cable mounted the shifter and was done with it. mounting the shifter is definitly the most difficult as it can be time consuming to make it look clean. for others out there my driveshaft worked just fine too without touching it (threw some new joints in and it was ready to go). of course with the 9" this will be diferent for you.

good luck on it
 
Pic of tranny

This is the info I have on it:
"Besides the normal high performance items (clutches etc.) it also has the HD sprag. It does not have a manual valve body so it works as an auto when left in drive. I also have the required yoke that will let this trans bolt into a TB."

Thanks for the replies. Will I need to modify the stock crossmember if I buy the 400 tranny mount from HRPartsnStuff?
I'm assuming from reading archives that I can't install a T-brake without going to a manual valve body. When I buy the shifter will it come with the parts to mount to the "U" bracket on the tranny? I also read that only a non-lockup convertor can be used, true also? The QuickSilver sounds pretty appealing to me and Jegs has it for $142. Justin, will it shift as an automatic when in the "Drive" position?

Thanks for your patience with someone without a clue yet!!!
 
Nick, very nice. I may just go that route those instructions are just what I would need:D
 
Getting ready to order the 400 mount from HR. Is this all I will need to mount the tranny?
 
Yes just order the 400 kit

Rick sorry I have been burried last few days. Just order the kit and that will make it a bolt in. Obviously shifter is another issue all together but not a big deal. I had some driveshaft to driveshaft loop clearance issues with mine so check that before bolting everything down tight. I was able to just push the trans to one side 3/16 of an inch and cleared ok, I have a very large aluminum driveshaft. Later Dave
 
turbo 400

I know this is'nt what you were asking but I just wanted to chime in and let you know of an overdrive option if you decide you would like a fourth gear bolted to the back of your turbo400. I have a turbo 400 in my t-type and I put a gear venders overdrive unit in it. It works awesome. In manuel mode you can split all three gears(6 shifts), or you can put in automatic mode(uses a vss and small ecm) and it shifts into 4th(overdrive) gear after third. All shifts can be performed at wide open throttle and the gearvendors website says they will handle over 2000 horspower. I really like my turbo 400 and the trans and overdrive have been trouble free for over 5 years. My car has run a best time of 12:10 @116, But I have put over 40 thousand miles on combo. James:D :D
 
A lot of guys , especially Stage 2 guys with 400s have looked into the gear vendors. It s high price keeps most away tho.
 
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