They are a notoriously shiatty trans...I have smoked 3 personally, they were all "built to the hilt"....my junk definately gets used pretty aggressively. .02 In addition, I have several friends who have attempted to use them in their buggies with exactly zero luck as well....just a really light duty pile imho. I can also tell you that I've broken the tailhousing on two th350's as well, I've figured out that a second rear output brace is a must on them as well. .02 I run a 4l60e in my current Chevota and haven't had issues with it yet...keeping my fingers crossed. I will definately only run a th400 or 80e in future buggies fwiw.
i don't see how the 4L60 has lasted you longer than the 700r4. they are identical transmissions. The only difference is the 700r4 is vacuum and the 4L60 is electronic. I hear lots of guys saying that the 700r4 and 4L60 are junk. It all depends on who's building them. If you don't know what your donig, and yes, there are lots of tranny shops out there that don't know how to build one the right way, it won't last. I have a 4L65e(built up 4L60) in my truck now and I drive the crap out it. also have a 700r4 in my buggy that gets driven just as hard. never had problems with either. But I also had a buddy that knows how to build them go through mine. just my
