I was told by a knowledgeable tranny guy that the 200R4 to use would be out of a Grand National or Monte Carlo SS. The reason supposedly is the better valve body in these transmissions. Has any other forum members heard of this? TIA, houstonvett

 

Thats the one to shoot for. But, if you can't find one of those specific ones, a caddy or truck unit is good too. The ATSG book has info on parts combos, I'll look tonight

 

The strongest TH200R4's come out of Grand Nationals!!

However, you can get a aftermarket 200R4 which is 5 times stronger..

 

Thats true, all the parts are available on Ebay and some other vendors. It takes a wide band, SS sungear shell, that sort of thing

 

I rebuilt mine for a grand total of near 500 bux....60 for the correct core, another ~400 for the parts, converter, 10 vane front pump, rebuild kit, wide band, and Trans Go shift kit, on that kit. accept NO OTHER>...while you at it, replace the TCC solenoid don't aske me why, just DO it.....

 

What year vette? I just finished replacing TH400 with 2004R in my 74. Night and day difference. No chance to check milage yet but smooth and quite.

 

Did you notice an increase in power? I know the gearing is lower in the 200R4 and they are supposed to consume less HP, I am wondering if the seat of the pants difference was noticeable?

 

Noticable difference but considering its being pushed by stock L48 I was not expecting a lot. I am in the process of rebuilding 70 LT1 and I am sure I will have a bigger grin on my face then.

 

I swapped out my TH350 for a bowtie 200R4 a few weeks ago. The car seems to pick up much better in terms of acceleration, third gear seems to be the same. I recommend using the bowtie TV kit, made dialing in much easier with excellent results. A totally different car on the highway.

 

Where is the best place to get all of the tranny parts such as the 10 vane pump, converter and all of the other parts to beef up a 200R4? Thanks for the Forum for all the help and have a great Thanksgiving houstonvett

 

http://www.transmissionpartsusa.com/Default.asp

http://www.bulkpart.com/Merchant2/me...T&Store_Code=2

http://www.oregonperformancetransmis...tore_Code=OPTI

Just a few places to buy parts to rebuild the trans.

The BFR G/N is hard to come by. The Monte CZF a little easier.
It is the best bang for the buck swap.

 

Gene,
How much previous tranny experience do you have? I have ATSG's for both the TH400 & 200-4R and the 200 looks to be quite a bit more complex of a rebuild. Is this list the total list of your purchased parts (besides the TV system, of course) & how much HP/TQ are you putting through it? I am still deciding between rebuilding my TH vs getting a 200 & rebuilding it. Total prices look near the same.

 

Here is another site to read if you wish to rebuild the 2004r. Pretty muc basic if you have done any trans work before.

http://www.nastyz28.com/forum/showthread.php?t=87368

 

What is the advantage to using the 200R4 over the 700R4/4L60e? Is it a space issue in the C3? I know the 4L60 has gotten a bad rap but it was mostly b/c of people who didn't know how to build it. Now they can take what most people can throw at them. The 200 is smaller than the 700 right?

 

The 200R4 is very close in size to the TH 400. I believe it will fit right in with just a very minor modification in the crossmember where the tranny mount bolts in. The 700R4 needs a little more mods done to make it fit. The 200R4 needs a different yoke then the 400 also. The 200R4 has a little better gearing in the tranny then the 700R4. I am sure the other members in the forum will correct me if I am wrong, houstonvett

 

The 200-4R will replace the TH400 with minor changes. The yoke is the same as the TH350, 700R4. The only thing you will need for the TH400 is a yoke and universal. Either the 700 or 200 need the TV cable hookup. The 700 will need a different cross member and a shorter drive shaft. The 200 will work with the stock cross member and drive shaft.
I did not have to do any modifications to install the 200 in my 73 except those mentioned.

200-4R Trans install

 

Hmmmm I've never owned one so IDK much about them. I did have a metric 200 3 speed in my Monte originally but threw a 350 in it and never had a problem again. But I was always under the impression the 700 was better. hmmmmmm....... must.... do...... reasearch. Thanks guys.

 

I have had both in my '72 here, it was a muncie car originally, I put in the 700 some ten years ago....little over a year ago I ditched out on it's last 3/4 clutch failure .....and the thing never did shift the way I wanted it to anyway....1-2 was greatly premature, 2-3-4 were ok, and the thing would downshift really soon if any gas was given in O/D, even if doing 90 mph....wind hell outa the engine for nothing, really...

engine is a all roller ZZ9 TPIS cammed '89 truck 4 bolt...ZZ4 type9L98) alumium heads, headers, large runners 52mm tbody...looking at ~425 ft lbs, and about 375-400 hp.....

the car is fine with my 200 4r, been a year now, the thing holds O/drive good, shifts nice, kicksdown where it makes sense....

it's FAR better suited to the sharks.....not as wide, not as long, 50 lbs lighter so I"m told...and it seems right....

I used a TRANS GO shift kit, the 700 I had was a superior/fairbanks shift kit......

I built it myself, put in a 10 vane front pump, new soft parts kit, shift kit, new converter, and while you are at it put in a new TCC soleniod, don't ask, just DO.....



my experience....well I rebuilt my 700 once before, rebuilt the T999 in the truck--a 3 speed lockup Dodge 318 truck tranny.....

then did this 200 4r, it was not all THAT easy, just need set up a good way to stabilise the unit with the tail end in a coffee can, and hole the bellhousing up in the air, work on it like that...ORGANIZE and READ directions, only thing you need is a decent set of snap ring pliars with changeable tips....and a good set of tools too, obviously....

I used a large black masonry mixing pan from HD/Lowes for the washing up of the case, using gasoline and for inside just poured gas, then carb cleaner then air jet to blow it clean....about 2-3 cans of good petrol based carb cleaner, NOT that new EPA detergent based crap that don'e clean jack nothing....

 

I can see the advantages of the 200 as far as size and weight and poss the gearing. but what about strength? I've heard complaints about the gearing on the 700's but my last 2 daylie's have had 700/4L60 so I'm kinda used to it.

 

You mean dualies?? at any rate, it all depends on engine torque curves, and vechicle weight and of course rear gearing....

broad torque curve and you can get away with that huge rpm drop 1-2 on the 700, IMO, you don't really have to care that much with the more popular vette+ converter stall speeds....

ME, I like a sharp snap to the shifts, and if possible feel a bump in my *** from it....or a chirp .....with a loose converter, that ain't happening, unless you got 456 gears or something, in which case why bother with an overdrive at all??? it would be still quite unliveable at 70-80 mph cruise....MPG today and all....

with the typical C4 gearsets at 308 or so at most....you get a decent 1st gear launch, that's true....

but sharks came with 308 as the MILDEST gears (ignoring the very few and hard to find 273 gearsets, rare as hen's teeth).....and as such being mostly in the mid 3-s.....well, who needs a 3.x first gear??

for instance with my 336 I cruise 80 at about 2500 locked rpm...