200-4r
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 744
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From: Lenoir City TN
200-4r
With the more even spread between internal gear rations of the 200-4R is it a better transmission for performance upgrades? Is it capable, with the proper built, to stand up to our performance outputs at normally aspirated levels? Just a thought.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove CA
I run a 200 4R in a hot rod '65 El Camino - 681 hp n/a big block, runs pump gas 10.8x e.t.'s at 125 mph in full street licensed and insured trim. The trans has been in the Elky for 7 or 8 years, works great, never any issues. I have a toggle switch for the lock up converter on the highway. Thanks to all of the hard core Turbo Buick racers, there are some amazing race parts made for this trans: mine has a 300M steel input shaft and a billet steel forward drum. The 200 4R has a superior lock up vs. a 700R4, and it is a very efficient trans: it made 579 rwhp which reflects the efficiency of a manual transmission - bringing 85% of the flywheel hp to the rear wheels.
There is one big issue for using the 200 4R in a C4 - how to attach the C-beam? I do believe there have been C4's running the 200 4R with a custom crossmember etc.
Thomas
There is one big issue for using the 200 4R in a C4 - how to attach the C-beam? I do believe there have been C4's running the 200 4R with a custom crossmember etc.
Thomas
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
I run a 200 4R in a hot rod '65 El Camino - 681 hp n/a big block, runs pump gas 10.8x e.t.'s at 125 mph in full street licensed and insured trim. The trans has been in the Elky for 7 or 8 years, works great, never any issues. I have a toggle switch for the lock up converter on the highway. Thanks to all of the hard core Turbo Buick racers, there are some amazing race parts made for this trans: mine has a 300M steel input shaft and a billet steel forward drum. The 200 4R has a superior lock up vs. a 700R4, and it is a very efficient trans: it made 579 rwhp which reflects the efficiency of a manual transmission - bringing 85% of the flywheel hp to the rear wheels.
There is one big issue for using the 200 4R in a C4 - how to attach the C-beam? I do believe there have been C4's running the 200 4R with a custom crossmember etc.
Thomas
There is one big issue for using the 200 4R in a C4 - how to attach the C-beam? I do believe there have been C4's running the 200 4R with a custom crossmember etc.
Thomas
Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove CA
Leave it to hot rodders to figure out where the factory went wrong. There are 9 second cars out there with 200 4R transmissions - here is a peek at how it is done http://www.ckperformance.com/resourc...CALMANUAL.html But I expect that anyone installing a 200 4R into a non-traditional application like a C4 already has the heads up on 200 4R tips and tricks. Source of more 200 4R gospel http://www.turbobuick.com/forums/transmission-talk/ The moderator, WE4, built my "Killer Street" 200 4R.
Thomas
Thomas
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Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Lenoir City TN
Thanks for the info. I've heard that the short track guys like to use them as well. I believe they have a detent cable just like a 700-R4. I wonder if anyone has come up with a kit for installing one in a C4. It sure would solve the problem with the big spread between 1st and 2nd gear that we have with a 700R4
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
They are a medium duty trans that can be built up to support quite a bit of power, for a short amount of time. The planetaries are so small, they have always scared me. The case and tailhousing are cast as 1, so serius fab work is needed to get them to bolt in.
I am about to install a 700r4 with aftermarket planetaries that are similar in ratio to a 200r4.
I will report the gain or loss over the stock 700r4 ratios.
I am about to install a 700r4 with aftermarket planetaries that are similar in ratio to a 200r4.
I will report the gain or loss over the stock 700r4 ratios.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 1,874
Likes: 1
From: Garden Grove CA
Pete, special for you: they make billet steel planetaries for the 200 4R - but I don't think it is needed until engine torque is in the upper 700's and beyond. The 700R4 trans seems to have gotten a lot better design and quality race parts within the last year or three.
Rod, yes, that kind of C-beam mount adapter is what is needed.
cshuman, I believe some short track guys are using the TH200 trans; which is a three speed non-overdrive non lock up trans vs. the 200 4R which is an overdrive with a lock up.
Three main reason why I like the 200 4R:
1) small and compact with a better gear spread, it fits just about any car.
2) the natural state of the torque converter clutch is locked, vs. a 700R4 which is naturally UNlocked . I.E.: if pump pressure falls off on a hot rod 700R4 you will shred the converter clutch (which to me is the reason why so many performance builders reccommend running a hot rod 700R4 as a non-lockup trans.
3) the 200 4R has a center support, vs. the 700R4 which does not.
Thomas
Rod, yes, that kind of C-beam mount adapter is what is needed.
cshuman, I believe some short track guys are using the TH200 trans; which is a three speed non-overdrive non lock up trans vs. the 200 4R which is an overdrive with a lock up.
Three main reason why I like the 200 4R:
1) small and compact with a better gear spread, it fits just about any car.
2) the natural state of the torque converter clutch is locked, vs. a 700R4 which is naturally UNlocked . I.E.: if pump pressure falls off on a hot rod 700R4 you will shred the converter clutch (which to me is the reason why so many performance builders reccommend running a hot rod 700R4 as a non-lockup trans.
3) the 200 4R has a center support, vs. the 700R4 which does not.
Thomas
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 744
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From: Lenoir City TN
Thanks Pete. Can't wait to hear the results. Do you do rebuilds for others? Just curious, my 91 has 93K on it now with the stock unit. I just installed a super ram with all the trimmings and think that it will be the next thing to go and when the time comes I would like to use someone I can trust.
Thanks
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 19
Thanks Pete. Can't wait to hear the results. Do you do rebuilds for others? Just curious, my 91 has 93K on it now with the stock unit. I just installed a super ram with all the trimmings and think that it will be the next thing to go and when the time comes I would like to use someone I can trust.
Thanks
Thanks
The custom planetary (front)for the 700-r4 I referred to (in my build) are expensive. $1,250.00. Not something many people will do.
