Hi Guys, Need some help here. I'm thinking about putting a 200R4 trans in my 70 GS with a 455. Any thoughts? If anyone has done this swap ,please comment, Thanks, JOE
Hi, how much did it cost to put a 200R4 in your car? I'm contemplating doing a 3.73 to 2.73 swap with a switch pitch conversion to my th400 because 3200 rpm on the highway is getting old. The rearend way is about $1K. How much for a 200R4 that will handle 500HP? Thanks. Phil
Just had a a 200R put in my sportwagon with a 455 and 3:23's. It is a great swap. I have had one in my 66 GTO for 2 years with 3:73's and with the lock up is cruises about 2200 at 65. I had Jimmy's in Mundelein do both. It is basically a bolt in. Same length and basic size as a 350, 350 yoke etc. I think he is around $1200 - $1500 depending on your converter etc. I wouldn't put anything else in my cars from now on. The Gto has seen some strip time and the 200r has held up great. Take care Tony
Isn't the TH350 shorter than the TH400? Or is it longer? I'm just wondering if I'd need to get another driveshaft made up if I decide to do this. Any opinions on who makes the best 200R4 that will stand up to a 500 hp engine? Also, I have 3.73's and was thinking about a 2500 stall converter. Would that be too much for a mostly street car?
The TH400 is longer than the TH350, and the slip yoke is different. TH400 uses a 32 spline yoke. The TH350, Powerglide, 200-4R and 700-R4 all use the 27 spline slip yoke. In this situation, either a custom shaft can be made, or you can try to find one from a TH350 car with the same rear axle as your car. The 200-4R and TH350 are within 1/16" in length and driveshafts will interchange. The stock transmission crossmember will work in the TH400 position. Some minor clearancing may be needed so that the 200-4R pan does not hit the transmission crossmember. Be sure to check your driveline angle before and after the swap, the 200-4R sits slightly different and it may throw things off enough that adjustment will be needed. There are many vendors that will be able to build a 200-4R to suit your needs. I would check out www.turbobuick.com/forums "Transmission Talk" section to find a builder near you. Turbobuick is THE source for any 200-4R information you need. Good Luck!!! :beer :TU:
Phil, I used a 400 shaft with the 350 yoke in combo with a 12-bolt and my 200. Have 3/4" out of the trans. Might probably be different with a different rear end. Love the trans so far. California Performance Transmissions (Art Carr) or http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com
Well, I've done some checking around the internet and TurboBuick website. It looks like CK Performance or one other are pretty much the tranny people to use. But it is going to be about $2500 for the new tranny/converter. Then there is the lockup wiring, TV cable setup, and a new driveshaft as the 200R4 is apparently about 2" shorter than the TH400. Sounds like close to $3K to get a good, beefy tranny. Hopefully I can sell my TH400/converter and the new 2.73 rearend I just had all redone with new seals/bearings/posi carrier/rearend gidle. Grrr, I hate doing things like this.
Phil, if you car is not a daily driver, I would suggest forgetting about an OD trans. $3000 will buy a lot of gas. You need to sit down and calculate where your break even point is with this swap. I have a feeling in order for you to make that point, your grandkids will still be driving the car to break even! I went through this scenario and I am lucky if I drive 3000 miles in a year. Would take 15-20 years before my OD trans swap made financial sense. No trans ever been built that is better than a TH400!
Jimmy's Trans in Mundelein. (847) 949-7507. Cheaper, and I have been definately happy with his stuff. The gto dyno'd out at 465 at the rear, and the trans has been flawless in it for 2 years. Thanks Tony
I'll give Jimmy a call. $3K is total cost, less the, hopefully, $1.5K I can sell my tranny/rearend that I have. I drive abut 5-7K a year and a lot of that is cruising around here on the highway. I really want to bring the rpm's down when I'm up on the interstate. It's not just the gas, it's the wear and tear on the engine at 3300 rpm all the time. Not to mention my ear drums. Oh yeah, and the wife bugging me about it also.
Whoa! I agree, that doesn't sound worth it. YOu would have to drive abour 300,000 miles to save on gas to make up for the cost! I am getting one rebuilt at a local shop for $700 (incl. convertor), who will also help me install it and work with me to buy a lockup kit. I expect the whole job to cost $1000-$1,100. Mine is a daily driver, so this will be worth it for me. Also, I am not going to be putting a lot of HP in front of it. If you are looking at that kind of money, spend it on a GearVendors setup instead. That way you can keep your strong TH400- I really believe that once you start making serious HP, the 200R4 just won't cut it. -Bob Cunningham
Question, if I got a Gearvendor's overdirve unit, don't I have to cut up my tunnel to make it fit? I definitely do not want to do that.
I don't understand how gas mileage fits in the equation when we're talking BBB and 4-500HP? It's about the feel, regardless of what you're doing to the car, street cruiser, long-hauler, g-machine, 1/4-mile screamer, or a combination.
I believe he stated something about high rpm at cruise. So, with an OD trans, that makes mileage relevant. If he wanted a better "snap" off the line, he could always install a different gear set in the TH400 vs installing a 200 R4.
I don't care about the gas mileage. I'm just looking to lower my rpm's on the highway. I figure less wear and tear on the engine. I don't have any overheating problems or anything like that. And the car is not a daily driver, strictly a toy for me. I do drive it whenever I can in the summer and probably put between 5-7K miles per year on the car. I checked out the Gear Vendor's web site. They say I would not have to cut the tunnel, just dimple it at best to clear two upper bolts. The car is my toy and I'm trying to make it the best of all worlds. It has a lot of suspension upgrades and will keep up with most "sports" cars of today getting on a freeway ramp, does pretty well in the 1/4 mile, cruises around on the street in the summer, and so far has been very reliable and very consistent on the track. I have not done a skidpad test with it, but would love to borrow someone's G-Tech and see how it does. My future plans for the car are rear disc brakes and upgrade the factory front discs, electric fans and water pump (free up some HP), and what to do about the current dilema with either and overdrive tranny or GV setup. But I've now decided I don't want to slow the car down, but rather improve it's performance, reliability and driveability. I probalby will lose the Stage 2 scooped hood and put back the factory one and reinstall the a/c.
Hmmmmm.....Phil - I'd give Jim Weise a buzz as to what the term "dimple" means to Gear Vendors..........
here is a quote from Tri-Shield Performance's website. " It is our strong opinion that if you desire a overdrive transmission, you best alternative, when you consider cost, durability and performance is to use a TH400, in conjunction with one of the aftermarket overdrive units on the market now. We use the GearVendors unit here, and installation in a G or A body is nowhere near the big deal that is often portrayed. Stay tuned for pictures of the actual installation in the future."
