So I'm in middle of rebuiling my dad's camaro I inheirited from the ground up because it was caught in the Nashville flood a few yrs ago My plans are old school 350 swap looking for around 400 hp. Can the stock tranny support that amount of hp?I read that with t-tops the car flexes alot, will I get alot of body flex with 400 hp? I already have junk 305 out with trans , repainted engine bay, interior out going from grey to black interior doing that this weekend. Car coming together faster then I thought so before I buy the motor and rebuild the trans I need to know if it'll hold up and what kind of stability mods I should do. Thanks.

 

400 hp at the wheels or the flywheel? Either way it'll take some work, 383 stroker will get you there faster while allowing a more street friendly cam. What trans came out of it?

400 hp will give body flex, but sub-frame connectors will help fix that.

 

dedinately getting the subframe connectors, looking for 400 at wheels if possible without needing alot of stability mods.I'm pretty sure its a 700r trans, was told that by my rebuilder.i can post pics tonite of my build if any one interested.

 

So you're looking in the range of 470 hp at the flywheel. For a small block, that's not going to be a mild daily driver type of engine.
And no, a stock 700R4 isn't going to handle anywhere near that type of hp/torque. Neither is the rearend.

 

It's going to be a sunday street beast and only go to track once The car will never get sold due to sentimebtal value so I plan on building it how my dad wouldve built it. What trans/rearend do you reccomend? Thanks for the info btw

 

Ford 9" would be the most logical considering performance parts for them are plentiful. Also having a front loader is nice to have if you ever want to swap gears.
If you want to stay with an overdrive automatic (which I'd want to keep an overdrive), you can get good beefed up 700R4's. A step up would be a 4L80E which has the strength equivalent of a TH400, but then you'll have some electronics to contend with. Aftermarket stand-alone shift controllers are available to go the 4L80E route, but it's going to be a more expensive option.

 

So I'd be able to get 700r beefed up during rebuild to support est. 500hp at flywheel? I'm hoping to have her up n runnin by spring next yr.I def wanna do it right the time bc i'm not filthy rich lol.Any idea on rear end cost?

 

Do some window shopping on summitracing.com. That'll give you a rough idea of what you're in for.
Here's a source for transmissions: 700R4, TransmissionHead.com the Ultimate 700R4 Performance Website, 700R4 Raptor

 

I'll look into it tonight after i make a project thread and post pix. As far as stability goes ive read higher hp t tops will break the roof body between t tops... other then sub frame connectors, what else should I look into for stiffing her up? I dont want to put in a cage at all . With that said should I lower my hp expectations?

 

I think there is some over-reaction when it comes to the whole body flex issue. I can see if you were running slicks on a tacky track, but with street tires, you will break traction and thus limit the flex. I have a semi-mild mannered stroker that is in the range of HP/Torque you are looking for. I have a Hughes built 700R4 with a re-built 10bolt that has upgraded internals, axles, and the like. I did not go the 9" route as it started to add up really quick (3-4K for a well built unit). Most of the drag guys I spoke with said that unless I put slicks on it, and did 30 launches every day...i'd be fine.