Lately, haveing allot of issues, with my turbo 400. So instead of haveing it rebuilt, i'm really just considering a 200r4, haveing it rebuilt with shift kit and all. Figured overdrive would be best for highway driven and high posi rear gears (3.42-3.73) i'm planneing on getting later on. Now how hard of a swopt, from the long shaft turbo 400 to a 200r4, is it gonna be ?
Have you tried searching the forums for others who have already done the swap? It's been a pretty popular topic. Try both "2004R" and "200-4R" for search terms. 200R4 is incorrect. Devon
Long shaft turbo 400? You are going to need a longer drive shaft for sure. One out of a turbo 350 car (with a short tail shaft) of the same size worked for me in my '70. It will bolt up to the motor, uses the turbo 400 mounting position on the cross member and will need the lines modified. A TV cable will have to be attached to the carb in some manner. I had a tab welded to mine throttle arm and a 1" spacer put under the carb to clear the intake. Depending on a console or column shifter, you may need to do a little work there to get start/backup/neutral switch to work and/or get low gear. Once it all together, you'll need a way to lockup the converter for best mileage/cruise RPM. That's the highlights, typical swap. About everything is available off the shelf but you may have to scrounge for some of it. A later 70's LeSabre with a 350 turbo q-jet is supposed to have an arm you can use for the TV cable.
This exact swap is detailed in the August 2000 HOT ROD magazine starting on page 55. Everything you'd want to know is laid out in the article including pictures. It also details which transmission crossmember you'd need to use to get transmission pan clearance and why'd you want to choose a Buick/Olds/Pontiac transmission rather than a Chevy transmission.
the 200 really needs more upgrades that just a shift kit unless you want to be rebuilding/repairing second gear band often depending on your hp and how you drive. the 200 swaps to the same spot as 400 trans mount will need a 200/350/700 trans yoke installed and the speed internal gear has to be installed when buliding trans so you will need to decid your rear gear or get some tranducer later when you change rear gears, strongly suggest you get a bigger trans cooler and you will need a lock up kit for convertor . also dnt drive/run car alot until you get the tv cable hooked up and adjusted atleast close otherwise you will wipe out the trans . there are decent things to be done with a 400 to consider, lower gearset in trans you wont need to go past a 3.23 in your rear end or a gear venders overdrive on the back of the 400 bit pricey but will handle much mope hp then the 200 per dollar spent just stuff to consider but if you go 200 get a bq,brf (gn) of monte ss trans the valvebody and governer is different then basic trans. if you get a basic trans find a custom valvebody(i think ck or janus trans makes good ones)check the turbo buick sites
I don't know just haveing allot of issues with the 400,or maybe just the ones i have. I'm more of a cruiser then a racer, 455 gotta few upgrades to it but nothing of great HP gains,(B4B intake, 4 barrol 750 Holley,3' long tube headers), just enough to smoke the tires, some weekend fun with and cruise. Currently no fun at all, my 400 has no forward gears. 1st will barely roll, 2nd keeps u rolling, but with allot of gas pressure. Drive, is next to nothing,or almost no movement at all. So, my options: 1. Have current Turbo 400 rebuilt 2. Get 200/4R off craiglist for 250. have rebuilt and installed currently.
If your already having issues with the 400 trans, a trans thats supposed to be in the car, then your going to have a bazillion issues with a 200 4r swap.
Thats a good trans. CZF code valvebody I think, and the governor weights will be relatively light ones. The monte came with 3.73 gears if I remember correctly so your shift points wont be too far off. I think youll do fine with it for street use
Ok, got trans, (CZF) codes. PO insures me that trans is in good shape, had rebuilt 3 years ago, and great ever since. Gonna have a trans shop, install a mild shift kit, flush it,new filter/gasket and install.
Any suggestions to what kind of convertor, i should go with for a situation like this ? What the story with the lock or non-lock up convertors, is there a way to connect or install without a switch ?
You don't want a non lockup for the street they generate to much heat. Go with a GN converter they are better than the average after market converter for less money. Good Luck Bob H.
Just have them install something like a 2800 stall converter with a lockup feature... Then when you get the car back we can help you wire up a toggle switch and or vacuum switch to control the lockup....
Besides the front disc brake upgrade.This is still part of the best upgrade i ever made. "Car cruises in overdrive like a dream, and still have the non-overdrive for plenty of launches or red light burn outs. Combination of this and the 8.5, 10 bolt with 3.73 posi is the best played and layed planned there is..
That's pretty much what I have, 455, 200-4r, 3.73 and nice low RPM at 70MPH on the interstate! Glad it worked out for you. Any special difficulty with the TV cable, drive shaft or cross member? Other might find it helpful.
Nope, was actually a perfect fit from my, turbo 400 trans. Only real issue was drive shaft cut down and universal slip yoke
Swapping 455 th400 to 455 2004r myself. So I kept the 27 spline driveshaft and yoke from the original 350/th350 setup. So the th350 driveshaft should be a perfect fit right? 71 skylark. I am also going from 3.23 to 3.73. If I have read correctly, the crossmember should work fine in the th400 holes?
