Which 200-4r to Get?

Hi All,

I am wanting to replace the stock 2spd in my 66 Skylark with a modern overdrive transmission. I currently have the stock 340 4v, but I have a 455 block that I would like to mildly build in the next couple of years and it would be great if the transmission could stand up to that kind of abuse (maybe 500hp/500tq). I understand from my limited research that a 200 has to be built a lot harder than maybe a th400 would to handle the same power and I have a couple of concerns before moving forward:

1. Looking at either the Monster or Art Carr offerings (see below) I am concerned that I am buying a lot of transmission (possibly) and I want to keep driveability and decent street manners. Ideally, I would like the same feel as stock when driving around town and then nice, firm, tire-chirping shifts when my foot is in it. Well, and I want it to be able to handle the eventual torque behind that 455.

https://www.monstertransmission.com...rt-High-Performance_p_11748.html#.XkwRcShKj-g

https://www.cpttransmission.com/2004R_trans_400hp.htm

2. Other than the two companies listed above, is there another good place to order one of these transmissions?

3. Is there anything else I should be considering? I understand I will need to move my crossmember back a notch and then there is the whole thing with the TV cable, but any caveats with ordering one of these transmissions for a non-racer like myself?

4. If I chicken out and go find a th400, where is a good place to order one of these? I have heard bad things about most transmissions coming out of Summit/Jegs regardless of brand.

Thanks,
Ray

 

http://www.extremeautomatics.com/

research what is on the turbo sites too.

The TC is also important. JW makes a nice one.

 

I have been into many “monster in a box” transmissions, I’m not impressed. I think they have done a good job of marketing their product, I think some of that effort would be better used for product development. The original Art Carr did a lot of work with the 200r4 trans when it first came out with the turbo Buick cars. I don’t know much about his stuff today. Lonnie is good, so is CK performance.

 

Note - Lonnie is the guy at Extreme.

Matt - do you build for customers? If so, where are you?

 

Your car probably has a 2.78 rear. If you use that with a 200R4 it will bog in over drive. You should change to at least a 3.23 or 3.42 (preferred) rear. What is it you are trying to accomplish anyway??

 

Chris at CK Performance is a top notch 200-4r builder located in NY

 

I bought mine from CK. Excellent service (Chris literally walked me through dialing in the TV cable setup over the phone). Tell them(or whomever you buy from) that you're going to put it behind a 455 in the future so they can build it accordingly.

 

I’m in central Indiana. I occasionally build 2004R transmissions. Unfortunately, all my Turbo Buick friends either became “domesticated” and sold their cars, or made the dreaded LS swap and TH400 trans. I got pretty good with the 200 trans. I don’t like to do long distance builds, I don’t have a test stand or way to dial them in if they need tweaking.

 

OK, thanks Matt. I was hoping you were closer

Phil has a good point. If you plan to use overdrive, whether a 200 or 700, plan to change the gears in the rear.

 

Janis Transmission in Akron,OH is another great 200 builder

 

I should have probably given some more background, sorry. I have had two of the switch-pitch 2spd transmissions now and they have both leaked and I can't, for the life of me, get the switch part to work. Rather than spend more time and money, I had thought that it would be a good time to upgrade to more modern overdrive transmission like the 200. I was already planning on getting the rear geared to something in the 3.50 range.

FWIW, I have also considered a Tremec 5spd, but I am a bit unsure about cutting up the tunnel.

 

I ended up selling the 2004R and switching to a TKO600. Not cheap converting to a manual but it is fun. I had to cut a decent chunk out of the tunnel but not too bad. Fabbing a patch is the most difficult part and if you want it to look nice you’ll need someone with some decent metal working skills.