The 700 was used in big cars and the 200 in smaller ones. It has a smaller case. Which of the 3 is best? Depends upon what you expect. Freeway cruising with a quiet loafing motor or an automatic that shifts once, is easier to install and is very difficult to break. The 59 came with a cast iron Powerglide in a case that looks nothing at all like the new for 1962 Auminum 'Glide.

Dan

 

A 200-4R won't fit in a C1 without frame modifications, and those mods really need to be done with the body off the frame. You may be able to shoe horn one in if the motor is out of the car, but its not a drop out the old trans and install a new one like a 700 is.

As I said before, some writer at a hot mag decided a 200 had better gear rations for a small engine car when drag racing. Drag racing. So people picked it up and take it as gospel that a 700 is junk and 200 is the way to go, and they have NO idea what they are talking about, just repeating what they read on the web.

A 700 is much better trans for number of reasons. Strength being one, rear mount location being another.

Doug

 

Thank you

 

Thank you

 

So which one is better? Just all around……. 700 or 200

 

So I’m guessing you would pick the 700?

 

I was leaning towards the 200 but after reading this …………I have no idea…

 

Pick the 700. Confusion over.

 

Thank you

 

This is a 2004R in my 57 vette behind a 283. just set it in to see what would be necessary to mount it. Trans is from an 89 caprice, bolts right up to the block. Plan is to run it with my 350 ramjet. Project is dormant at this moment. Just to provide a real look vs speculation.

 

Thus, my point.

Ideally the rear of that 200 should be dropped down an inch or so. so the yoke is lower, which means modifying the X member.

Doug

 

Ask the experts BowTie, California Performance Transmissions (Art Carr)., Gearstar... I have spoken to several over the years.

in “ bone-stock” form (original or a cheap rebuild), the 700 is generally stronger, but given a quality, performance rebuild ( replacing a few key components), the 200 is as strong or stronger than a similar 700. The 1987 Buick GNX used a 200-4r, and IIRC it was relatively heavy and better performing car than the 87 C4 using a 700…

the 200 is generally an easier swap due to the physical size. Not sure on a C1, but the 200 is the same length and output spline as the th350 and aluminum Powerglide, so it uses the same driveshaft and yoke. The shifter can be modified ( usually).

Both the 200 and 700 require moving the rear mount, and a cable-operated “kick-down” (actually a TV cable). The 700 requires a shortened driveshaft.

as for fit, I don’t know with a C1, but for every other swap, the 700 is harder to fit because of its physically larger size. If a 200-4r needs to be shoehorned in, how does the larger 700r4 fit with no problems?

Ratios, generally the 200 has more-evenly spaced gears, while the 700 has a bigger drop ( especially 1-2 gear change). This is only a moderate change, and probably only affects all-out performance and even then, it’s minor…. But still, unless putting around, the 200 is slightly better, but mostly a draw.

the 200 has become difficult to find and therefore cores are expensive. 700s are everywhere.

the core charges problem offset the new driveshaft costs somewhat…

 

I recall reading the 350 automatic was exactly the same length as the Powerglide and would drop right in.

 

See post #30.

Your experts, Bowtie overdrive offer a 700-R4 conversion trans and kit for the C1. They don't offer a 200-4R for the C1, and never did even when the 200s were everywhere. That should tell you something.

The 700-R4 is an updated TH400,and the precursor to the 4L60, and was used in the Chevy Suburban in the 1980s and early 1990s, among other things. There are different tail shaft lengths for the 700, so you don't want to try to put the long tail shaft version into a C1.

To the other poster: a TH 350 also goes right in, it just doesn't have the OD gear.

Doug

 

Neither is necessarily better; it depends what you want.

The 200 has better gearing, that is undeniable, while the 700 is stronger in stock form. But the 200 in my Grand National easily handles the 400 lb-ft torque so unless you are building a mighty mouse 327 it is strong enough. If you don't care that much about acceleration the gearing is a non-issue, so there's that.

Assuming equal ease of installation, I'd try to find a 200 but I am admittedly biased.

 

I spoke to Art Carr today and he swears by the 200, all day everyday………decision made….200

 

I spoke to Art Carr today and he swears by the 200, all day everyday…….200 it is…..

 

See post #36 and #37

 

Good luck with the little or no fab work as you mentioned in your first post.

You can lead a horse to water....

I can tell you that when the 5 speed in my '61 needs work or a clutch, a 700 is going back in.

Doug

Edit: Get back to us with how the install goes for you.

 

different angle of the 200r4 in the 57