I'm going to buy a 200R4 for my 71 skylark with a mild 350. Been looking at Bow tie Overdrives and Monster Transmissions. Does anyone have any suggestions of what's the best route to go when doing this swap?
I can't help you with the 200r4, but I went with Monster and chose their 700r4 SS (Super Sport) and just got it installed in our 71 Skylark a little over a month ago. The service support and follow up with Monster was outstanding. They won my business. Our family just got back from taking ours out for a little spin around the neighborhood. Left a few black marks here and there
I will second CK Performance. Found a BQ trans and used CK's full master kit, hardened stator, new intermediate drum, hardened front drum, Billet input shaft and Super Servo. Parts are top notch and service is even better. Ofcourse, I have yet to install the trans
You don't have a location listed. While Chris and ck performance is an excellent choice there are other builders that might be closer to you.
Be careful with Monster and do some research. They do a lot of advertising but their reputation locally is similar to Trans Depot.
X2 -- location is key -- there are a handful of builders for those trannies -- CK out east, Janis & Dyers in the midwest...
Sure did, just had to slide it back and drill new holes. And was fortunate enough to re use the factory driveshaft.
The beauty of the 200R4 is the modifications you DO NOT have to make. Don't cheap out on the rebuild, read the warranty BEFORE you buy especially if its from an out of state builder and take your time setting up the TV cable with the proper brackets, linkage etc. Also make sure you have the right torque converter.
When I can afford one, I plan to get mine from Lonnie Diers at Extreme Automatics. I've heard a lot of good about him. http://www.extremeautomatics.com/
Have you talked to TNT transmissions in Fargo ND. I think he does high performance transmissions. I took my car to Denny in IL. before I knew about TNT. He built it and installed it. He likes to have the car to set it up correctly. He stood behind his work when there was an issue. I had the tran fluid leak out of the small hole in the yoke and didn't know it. I had a lot of cardboard in my trailer from the leaky 400 that was in there. Took it out and hammered it a couple of time and it just bounced off the rev limiter. Then tried a couple of full throttle punches at speed. Samething. Turned out is leaked over 2 qts sitting in my trailer for 3 months and I toasted the trans. He rebuilt it.
x2 What Rich Texas T said. If you want it installed, Jimmy will make sure your setup is perfect before giving it back. Allen
Yeah, I'm pretty close to pulling the trigger on a complete trans with converter from Extreme Automatics myself. Currently he's got a lead of about 6-8 weeks for delivery and that would work out fine with my goal of installing in April when it's nice garage weather... Fortunately I only live about an hour away from EA so I'll pickup the unit. I'm currently researching the ancillary stuff I will need to acquire like a new gate plate for the shifter, throttle cable/TV cable bracket and park/neutral switch stuff. My 70 has the park neutral switch on the floor and all the other conversions have it on the column. I'm sure I could run some wires over but I'd prefer keep the stock location. May fabricate something of my own if necessary.