Call Len at Performance Transmission in Vegas. 702 434 2991. Probably one of the best 200-4R builders around. Lots of good info and he is into Buicks. Also has a web site. Good Luck Bob H.
also you might want to pick up the CK Performance 200 4r manual. I found it was very good reading. Manual
well you could do the 4l80 much cheaper 300 bucks for say a trans 40 bucks for adapter you could run a digital speedo that would look good in your dash or get a convertor both around 250 shifter cable is about 100 bucks controller is about 700 and other than having a crossmember modified and drive shaft shortened thats about it as for the floor there are a bunch of places you can grind of to get it to fit then a sledge hammer to the pan to dimple for the cooler lines and all so 1400 bucks or a little more and it should hold up to what you want to throw at it but 2004r is a great tranny too it could be built pretty cheap to if you can do it yourself
It's been great following the thread. I like the idea of the 4L80E on a paddle shifter. I guess i should make a bee line to a dyno and find out exactly the hp/tq numbers and go from there. The 200 is great if it stays together. I don't want to think about the trans while launching.
what about torque converter availability and cost for the 4l80e? where and how much comppared to the 200-4R?
The 4L80E case is much larger than the 200 case and also longer . So you will have to shorten the drive shaft and move the cross member back a little . As far as converter is concerned not positive about how many variations there is but am sure you can get one custom built . I talked with Gear Star about a 4L80 for my blown hemi with well over 1000 hp and he said no problem he can build it and supply a converter .
