spille85

Hey guys, i live in a small town with only one transmission shop. I stopped by and spoke with the mechanics earlier and they all recommended that i go with the 7004r because its a better fit for my 79 corvette. Well, i have read several posts here on the forum which most of the guys here went with the 2004r transmission vice the 7004r. I am not familiar with either one...can you guys give me some input...i sure would like to hear...as always thanks for you help..marty

shafrs3

The 200 is a bolt in box. The 700 needs the driveshaft shortened and the exhaust system re-routed. I'd go ahead and go with the 700 with the small block; it has a lower first gear for those out of the hole launches, if you're into that sort of thing. Do a search in the archives, many previous discussions on this very topic.

1JPC256

I put the Turbo 200-4r in my 79 because it was the same overall length as a turbo 350 so I didn't have to shorten the drive shaft. The trans mount is in the same location as a turbo 400 so you just have to remove the bolt-on bracket that your turbo 350 bolted to and bolt the th200-4r into place. A TH700 requires a shorter drive shaft and some work on the trans mount to bolt it down. None of this is rocket science. I would use what ever was easier and cheaper to come by in your area.

windsoreight

I met the engineer who designed the 200-4R when I worked at GM. He really didn't care for them. They were based on the chevette 200 metric trans. They had a limited run and in stock form were not know for their strength. However the 700-R4 had a longer run. It has gone throught vast improvments in the 4L60E. Since you can use the 4L60E internals in the 700 you can build a very strong trans at a reasonable price. The last 700-R4 I built is in a 69 Camaro with a 396 and runs in the 12's. I was a trans builder and am partial to the 700/4L60 platform. You will find many builders who never even opened a 200-4R up. Your money will go farther with the 700R4 than the 200-4R. If your engine is stock you could go with either. It would probably be less work to go with the 200-4R.

VintageMuscle

I stopped by the tranny shop the other day. The owner has been racing since the 50's and he said 700R4......

markdtn

Do a search of the archives and you will find more opinions on this than you can count. Almost as divided as Ford vs: Chevy at a NASCAR race.

That being said, 700R4 is the way to go.

Actually, a good case can be made for either WITH a rebuild with good parts by somebody who has experience building them. If you do go with a 700, find an 88 up core to start with.

bobs77vet

i'm running the 700r4 and i like it ....one of the biggest differences is that the 700r4 can be used straight from a junkyard where as the 2004r must be "built" since as a stock unit it is not strong enough

Xakk

I've got a stage 2 700r4 from Bowtie and love it. Their replacement crossmember made installation a breeze and made the dual exhaust way easier to run.

vettery

I'd go with a 2004R from Bowtie. Much better gear spacing: 1st=2.78, 2nd=1.57, 3rd=1.00, 4th=.67. Where the 700r4 has a lower 1st gear but a big jump to 2nd: 1st=3.06, 2nd=1.63, 3rd=1.00, 4th=.70

PureSilver

may be OT, but how is the 4L60 different from the 4L80? I have a GMC van with the latter...seems to be pretty rugged.

bobs77vet

that gear spacing is only better dependent on the rear end ratio....with my 3.08s the 700r4 1st and 4th are better....if i had 3.73 the 2004r then the 1st and 4th would be better....but yes there is a difference in the spacing.

Aflac

Well said! im not sure where the trans shop got the idea that the 200 is not a bolt in...

bobs77vet

perhaps they meant you couldn't get one from a junk yard and just bolt it in unless the trans had been "built" ....where as the you can do that with the 700r4 but you do have to change the crossmember and drive shaft

CheezMoe

Anybody have a link for the "Bowtie" parts?

Aflac

http://bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml

Pete K

The 4l80 is a 4 speed version (with lock up converter) of a turbo 400. They are nearly bulletproof in stock form. They require an aftermarket computer to run it, due to the electronics.

Buffalo Dude

I thought a 4L60 is a 700R4?



I went with a 2004R and it's great. I think either will be fine, but the 200 bolted right in place for my TH400.

1972warship

I think he meant a 4l80E not the 4l60. The 4l80E is the overdrive designed after the th400...the 4l60 is the 700R4.

Pete K

Hit the wrong damn number. I will edit it now.
First time in months I post in c3 and I get it wrong

1972warship

Not a big deal....just didn't want to confuse people...I understand I finger flub all the time.