200-4R behind a 455

Discussion in 'The "Juice Box"' started by Golden Oldie 65, Oct 23, 2007.

  1. Golden Oldie 65

    Golden Oldie 65 Well-Known Member

    I have a 200-4R behind my 350 (approx. 350hp) in the `65 right now and I love it. I got the trans out of an `87 Grand Narional that had 48,000 miles on it but there was a sticker on the side of the case that indicated a GM Sevice Replacement, which I assume means that it was perhaps a warranty replacement so I believe it has even fewer miles on it than the car did. I installed a complete Transgo kit, a Bow Tie Overdrives TV cable kit for the Holley carb, plus their stand alone lockup wiring kit. I and am using the stock D5 turbo converter. I am contemplating a mild 430 or 455 (mild cam, ported heads, headers, intake, etc.) for my next engine. Do you think this trans will stand up to the extra torque of the big block? Thanks.

    Bill
     
  2. jakeshoe

    jakeshoe Well-Known Member

    It will likely need mods to hold up.
    A bigger servo, better band, 3 clutch overdrive setup, and billet forward drum.
     
  3. LARRY70GS

    LARRY70GS a.k.a. "THE WIZARD" Staff Member

    Bill,
    Heavy car + big torque + great traction = broken weak link. If you drive it on the street with lots of wheel spin,:3gears: it survives. Hook it up at the track with slicks, all bets are off:laugh:
     
  4. 70 gsconvt

    70 gsconvt Silver Level contributor

    Mine is doing great. But you will need to have it beefed up to hold up behind a 455/
     
  5. bobc455

    bobc455 Well-Known Member

    The turbo-6 motors also create a lot of torque, they aren't 8000 RPM winder-uppers either.

    But the 455 does create more torque than the 231, therefore you will need it to beefed up quite a bit.

    I was talking to a trans guy today who said there was no 200-4R that could be built to withstand my 455 (when I give it the full nitrous shot), at pretty much any cost.

    -Bob C.
     
  6. jakeshoe

    jakeshoe Well-Known Member

    What kind of power output are you talking about?
    The 200 has been proven to handle 800+ RWHP reliably (Behind a supercharged 540).
    There are even better parts out there now for them.
     
  7. Electrajim

    Electrajim Just another Jim

    It's a BIG toss up. Make sure you have the biggest B&M cooler at least!

    Input shaft and other hard parts may be required.

    I used to use a SP400, then a 200,,,for a while..and now I'm lucky with heavy duty 350's.

    I miss the 4th gear and the lockup convertor in the 200, Car felt like it could do 200MPH!!!

    ElectraJim
     
  8. nickwhite

    nickwhite Platinum Level Contributor

    OK I like the Overdrive To.:TU:
    See my 635 hp 500 cuin Stroker posted under New Stage2 in Burbank.
    Trans is built to Art Carr specs to handle 622 ftlbs torque at 4500 rpm.
    Cruises at 2500 rpm at 80mph on the freeway with 355 gears. Ten inch
    converter, big trans cooler and just a blast to drive. No weak link here.:TU:
     
  9. sailbrd

    sailbrd Well-Known Member

    Three years on mine. I run drag radials all the time and have over a 100 runs on the tranny. Best time so far is 12.65. My transmission builder said take it out and see if you can break it then we will find what to do next.
     
  10. Electrajim

    Electrajim Just another Jim

    Now THAT'S SERVICE, man!

    Care to give the builder credit here? :dollar:

    Who built your transmission?

    ElectraJim
     
    Last edited: Oct 29, 2007
  11. 70 gsconvt

    70 gsconvt Silver Level contributor

    I've been running mine for two years with no issues and probably 50 times down the track. I also have a 11x11x1.5" cooler with JW's tranny lines running through the frame rail and mounted just behind the grille to keep it cool.
     
  12. 6D9

    6D9 Well-Known Member

    Who built your 200-4r??? What converter??
     
  13. sailbrd

    sailbrd Well-Known Member

    The guy that built mine is just a local bud that builds them in his garage. I think Phil's transmission was built by Janis. He has a great reputation with the turbo Buick people.
     
  14. 70 gsconvt

    70 gsconvt Silver Level contributor

    Janis Transmissions in Akron, OH.

    Janis Automotive Transmissions
    1507 Kenmore Blvd, Akron, OH
    (330) 753-6609

    My converter is from CK Performance. http://ckperformance.com/
     
  15. 6D9

    6D9 Well-Known Member

    Thanks guys...what are you guys using to hook up the TV cable??? TV made EZ or geneic bracket/other??? Thanks
     
  16. mygs462

    mygs462 Well-Known Member

    Vince Janis told me he could build me a 200r4 thet could handle every bit of my 525's 750 hp and 720 tq. without a problem, Seems it's all who you talk too. I know his transmissions are in some of the quickest TR's in the country and they're making WAY more TQ than we are. WE have one of his 200's behind our 575 hp 560 tq 462 in my bros 78 TA and it works great!
     
  17. Jim Weise

    Jim Weise EFI/DIS 482

    Excellent question.. and I can add to it..

    Who has a setup that will directly connect to the Buick Q-jet? Since we are doing one in the shop here now on a 68 GS400 ragtop (2004R behind the original 400ci engine) we were looking online last night at various stuff..

    Found some pretty slick TV setups for other Q-jets, holley's ect, but nothing so far for the Buick Q-jet, which has a specific throttle linkage setup, different from some other GM Q-jets of the day, and those from later years.

    We were real happy to come across the shiftworks shifter setup, which actually even comes with a new indicator plate for the 68/9 console that has the extra quadrant and allows the use of the factory shifter.. that setup looks pretty slick, and is reasonably priced.

    http://www.shiftworks.com/buick.htm

    JW
     
  18. 70 gsconvt

    70 gsconvt Silver Level contributor

    I used Holley's to hook up to my car. Of course, I am running a Holley 950HP, so that helped. When I was looking around for my installation, that bracket and one from TCI were the only ones that I ever found that would do the job having both a carb and the trans connections. I'm sure one of them could be cut and re-welded to meet the q-jet's configuration and spacing.

    But I'm not sure how you would connect up the 200-4R's cable to the q-jet because you do need an arm that bolts right up to the Holley's. Here's pics of the brackets and the arm.
     

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  19. 70 gsconvt

    70 gsconvt Silver Level contributor

    Here's another Holley one for 4011 carbs:
     

    Attached Files:

  20. 70 gsconvt

    70 gsconvt Silver Level contributor

    And here is TCI's:
     

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