I'm building a 455 for my Skylark It should be between 450 and 500hp. I'm looking for input for the trany, are their other choices other then 350, 400 and 200r4? I wood like Strip performance and good street drivability. Please help me choose.o No:
I am building a 70 GS with a built up 464. Around 550 hp. I just purchased a built 2004r for it. I think the 200 is the best choice if you have the cash to buy one that is built tough enough. Mine was built for a 9 second GN. I will probably never push the GS harder than a mid 11. The GS is heavier and and hits hard. What I like about the 200 is the gears is has + overdrive. And I will be using a lock-up torque converter. I have a 3.73 rear end and with the 200 + lockup it should still cruise nice and burn less gas. If you are on more of a budget, I would go with a 400. Put a good sprag in it and go racing. A good converter is going to cost a bit though. Good Luck:beer
200R4 overdrive and lockup is nice. Lets you use a higher number rear gear and still cruise Hiways at comfortable RPMS. Like has been mentioned, they can be pricey to build (or to have built) strong. 3.73 gears with the overdrive is perfection to me. Nothing wrong with the 3 speed trans either, especially when looking at prices.
Best economical choice is the t400. Be prepared to spend almost 2 k for a strong 200. Thats after you find one!! To get a 200 it ill cost you anywhere from 300 to 600 for a core, then you have to have it built. If you don't plan on driving to florida and back then you'll be fine with a t400. I believe these 400's are the strongest tranny's built.
I found this 200r4 on ebay rebuilt for 550hp, is $799 a good price? o No: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/200-...ptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories
That's sound awfully cheap for one that will actually hold up to a BBB and it's torque. I paid a total of a bit over $3,000 for my setup. That was the trans, converter, TV cable and other little stuff to make it all bolt up and work right. The one to look for is a BRF trans out of a Grand National. Check over at the turbo buick web sites. There are usually ones for sale over there also. I would check out CKPerformance or California Performance Transmissions (Art Carr). They make ones that work well. Vince Janis of Janis Transmissions in Akron, OH built mine. He gets most/all of his parts from these sources. I haven't had a lick of trouble in 3 years with mine. I got my converter from CKPerformance. Raptor Transmissions is also supposed to have good stuff, but I have never talked with anyone who actually has one. http://www.cpttransmission.com/ http://www.ckperformance.com/ http://www.transmissioncenter.net/200-4R.htm (raptor)
A 350 engine and a th350 is coming out. From what I understand slide the rear mount back and use metric bolts. It is the same size and length as the th350 even uses the same yoke, so the drive shaft does not need to be modified.
The parts list looks good, it has the appropriate hardened parts. And comes with a torque converter....stall unknown? If that is truly able to withstand 550HP then its a screamin good price. You could barely build one in your garage with those parts for that price. The "bigname" hi performance units are MUCH more expensive.
Don't forget about the TH475. You can find these in RV junk yards pretty readily and usually for under $400. They have straight cut gears rather than the helical gears in a TH400. Some also have reinforcements on the case and extra clutch plates. Most were behind Chevy big blocks so you would probably have to take the guts out and put them in a BOP case. Because of the straight cut gears they make a little more noise in first gear but are much stronger (think M-22 rock crusher). I have one in my Monte Carlo and it is a fine transmission. It's hard to tell a TH400 from a TH475 on the outside but you can find lists of serial numbers that should help distinguish the two. The guys at the junkyards are typically clueless as this is a fairly unknown tranny. We had to take a big transmission brake off of the one I rebuilt and change the tailshaft housing, but other than that it bolted right in. Good luck with whatever setup you decide on.
what about the 700r4? i making a swap from the 350 to a built 455 in my 71 lark. the 700r came from a 93' chev p/u. local builder did a little clean up on it, added a perf. shift kit and corvette servo. adapter can be obtained for 65 bucks from Art Carr Performance.
The 700r4 is a weak transmission. A stock BBB, let alone a built one will scatter that transmission. I've actually got one behind a Chevy 305 right now, and it's great for that engine, awesome 3.06:1 first gear ratio, and the overdrive really helps the 3.73s along the highway, but it's also a weak motor (in the grand scheme of things). The strongest engine those transmissions were ever put behind was a 330bhp small block, and I have a few friends that have put 700Rs in the grave with a 400 horse Chevy small block (700R4s are VERY expensive to rebuild for performance as well). If you want overdrive, go with a 2004R, otherwise you'll have to get a passport for your 700R, because at least part of it is going to end up flying overseas.
www.extremeautomatics.com talk to lonnie dier he'll set you up with a 2004r that will work for you and won't break the bank either. Right now you can get one that is good upto 500hp for $1400 + freight or the STG2 for $1800 shipped. Price does not include convertor but this is still the best deal out there and Lonnie is a real stand up guy - comes highly recommend by all the Gbody guys ( me included ). Not sure where your located but Lonnie is in central IN and if your closer to Chicago try Jimmy's Transmissions in Mundelein, IL he is also one of the premier 200 guys as well as CK in NY ( previously mentioned ). If you haven't bought a 3spd yet DON'T! Spend it + a little more on the OD and be done with otherwise you'll wanna change soon thereafter.
I have the the th350 with 20k on it and a th400 with 89k. I hate to spend money as much as the next guy but the OD may be worth it. Thanks,:beer
