plan on changing out my stock worn out tb350 tranny from my 79 Camaro and installing a 700r4 for the overdrive. What year of a 700r4 should I be looking for to keep things fairly simple on the hook up, other than the driveshaft that I have to get made shorter that I've read about.

 

ok i will try to make this as simple as possible but any one will work as long as you are comfortable doing some custom wiring or installing a kit similar as http://www.summitracing.com/parts/prf-60109/overview/
they will pretty much do every thing you need in the 700r4.

 

You'll need to shorten the driveline, move the crossmember, and wire in a pressure switch to lock up the converter. You can buy the kit, or simply buy a pressure switch, and wire it in yourself. Be sure to either get a rebuilt 700R4 that has already been upgraded, as all the kits have the upgraded parts in them. Or buy a good used 700R4 from a truck, or V8 powered car.
Here's a video that shows the lockup kit install: