Hey all , I have a 78 nova that I will be dropping a 350 into soon. I am planning on the 330HO 350Deluxe turn key or the 285hp Goodwrench 350. I currently have a stock 305 in her with a TH250 transmission. I keep getting mixed answers as to what will happen if I match the two up. It is supposed to be a direct bolt on but to use the hp properly the reccomended transmission is aTH350 or a TH400. Will it wok, if so how will the gears react to 285hp or 330hp? Someone who knows their ****, please help me out with some good info !!!!

 

If I was putting a hyper motor into a 78 nova I sure wouldn't put it in front of a 250 metric transmission.
The engines your telling about aren't cheap so why not dump some cash into the tranny too.

 

Yeah get a TH350 with a shift kit or something from TCI. The TH400 from what I know will never fit a small block anyways.

 

Being 78 nova in assuming it has a 10 bolt corporate rear axle? You wouldnt have to worry much. But i suggest using full synthetic lubricants in your powertrain so you get the most outta this vehicle.

 

The THD400 willl bolt right up but you will have to re route the vacuum module from the rear to the side and the drive shaft for the 400 is bigger than the 350 or your 250.
I think I would stay carborated rather than getting a harness and all the sensors and then having to go buy a chip to match your pistons, cam and valve size too.
Automatic trannys are ok but without a clutch to allow the engine to get to its power range before engaging you'll need a stall torque converter. The converter works like a clutch but is a whole lot faster shifting than you'll ever be.
Converters can be bought at any stall rate which is also determined by the build of the engine. Without either a clutch or the stall converter the motor will be slugish at low rpms Below their power range usually determined by the cam shaft and engine timing.
If your cam doesn't begin coming on until your at 2000 rpm and you idle at 750 to 800 that first thousand revs increase can sure seem slow.
I prefer a clutch myself since converters are definately not for the street unless you like tickets for squealing tires