I have bought a monster transmission 200r4 HD. I want to put it in my 1980 stock corvette - 190hp. Because it has a stage 2 valve body and shifts very hard. I want to install standard valve body and standard servo. Can this be done without hurting the trans. I know it will be a soft shift. Any help would be appreciated.

 

MY advice, having been into several auto trans....

do yourself a favor, and leave it the HELL alone.....


you will get used to it shifting the way hotrod heaven intended....

 

Not quit the answer I was looking for.
will this work... I am having a certified transmission shop do the work.

Not a hot-rodder..... just a cruiser.

 

I would want to know more. What exact parts are in this transmission and what does Stage 2 get you? If it were me, I would install the transmission, if it works. Since you bought it from a friend I assume you know it works but it is just a firm shift.

Depending on what is in your transmission, you may be able to soften the shifts by adjusting the TV cable. Moreover, all the parts you are wanting to change, can be changed with the trans in the car.

All I can tell you about is my own experience. I have a 200-4R from an 87 monte carlo ss. This trans already has the stock hi perf valve body. But, the shifts were dangerously soft. The longer it takes the trans to shift, the more wear and heat you will experience.

I installed a CK Performance shift recalibration kit and a CK Performance billet servo. The shift kit, among other springs and things, comes with a .555 boost valve. Most shift kits I have seen come with a .500 boost valve. This is one of the things that helps to increase the fluid pressure. This billet servo is a game changer. Its advertised as the largest available.

Now here is my point. After I installed these parts, I adjusted the TV cable by hand opening the throttle to wot and let the cable ratchet forward and self adjust. (car off) At part throttle it would sometimes "bang" into third. At full throttle it would chirp 2nd. For the street, it was touch too much.

Answer: The TV cable was still too tight. I disconnected the cable from the throttle, opened the throttle to wot and then pulled the cable to compare the distance between the connection on the carb and the connection on the cable. **I was about 1/2 in. too tight**

I spent an afternoon adjusting the cable out until I lost the kick down shift. And then tightened it back up one click at a time until I got it back. Now, cruising around it is a nice quick positive shift, but not hard. Full throttle is a nice firm shift as well.

I think going backwards to a soft, long, mushy , stock shift calibration will only "hurt" by increasing heat and wear.

 

you should be fine, hard to screw up a 2004r, easiest auto I've ever delt with, there are other ways to soften the shift on one though, hard shifts with them have more to do with line pressure. you could have changed to a stock servo or even a stock servo spring. most of the rebuilders ship them with 2-3 springs so you can tailor the shifts to your own taste. they also sell an adjustable servo. the spring change is bout $15 instead of what ever a trans shop will charge to do the same thing and you could have done it yourself
btw in most tech papers its a '2004r'. i'm actually curious which shop recommended a valve body swap instead of the spring change, sounds like inexperience

 

Not a be a *****...but if you trust a "certified transmission shop" do this work, why don't you ask them if it will work? They're the ones you're going to go after if they screw it up.

 

Well I just wanted to be headed in the right direction. By asking here I get a good idea if it worth doing this. From what information has been posted it has been very helpful. From the posted information I am first going to make sure the TV cable is adjusted properly and go from there. Also this information may have saved me $200.00 in parts and $200.00 in labor.

No shop recommend to do this and I have not talk with yet. I thought this would be the way to go. If the work was going to be done I would have it done by someone who knows what they are doing. Again I am going to try other things first.

 

Your going to have to install the trans and go from there , if the differences in power and gears are big you will need to not only adjust the shift firmness , but governor springs , and speedo gears as well

 

why not call monster transmission, they built it, they know whats in it. you may want to have them " freshen" it up.

 

I agree with Mr. Vette.

 

OK this may sound stupid, but I never thought of that. I will do that on
Tuesday.

Another question... can the tv cable be hook to the kick down point a Q-jet.? The kick down point appears to be directly under the pivot point of the carburetor. If not where can I get the right attachment to hook up the tv cable. Yes I am going to ask Monster Transmission about it. With all everyone has said I may have not hook the tv cable up right

thanks for all the help everyone

 

the cable is a weird beast to me.
last one I messed with had like a 7/8 in travel limit and made it hard
for me to find a lever that moved it the right throw at the right time.
I have not used the "kits" for them.

 

Here is a quick shot of a Qjet and the stock connection.

 

thanks everyone for the help.... trans is up running fine. again thanks

 

The 80 has a standard TH350C with lockup. the bracket on your carb will not work correctly for the TV cable. If your not careful you will burn up the 200.

They make a bracket to mount on your carb that will make the TV cable work.

Neal

 

ok sound good --- where can I get this bracket for the carb???

 

I don't know where the source of this material is from but it looks quite official.

 

Hockey - if your interested in selling the suped-up trans and just buying a standard build, let me know. Been looking for one like yours.

 

Summit, Jegs or the like along with TCI will have the brackets

Make sure to get the one for the Q-Jet, they are different for the holley

Neal

 

Ibanez540r - sent you a message --- should be in your in box.