Topic: Not a fan of the 200R4 anymore

[RainMan]

As a matter of fact I would have issues sleeping at night no matter what anyone tells me .


http://www.webrodder.com/article.php?AID=426&SID=6

^^ Check out this link all ,it shows you exactly what the transmision specialists here in town explained to me .
It's to darn bad they didn't make a BOP in a 700R4 . I have given up with doing anything with the Marty now ,but this is an interesting read .
I know a 200 works ,but I like piece of mind to . If I was ever to do it I guess a 700 and a Transadapter is the only way with Pontiacs bolt pattern .
To say the 200R4 is ok because they worked well in the GN is not a good analogy at all  . They weigh less and have way less torque than a stroked 400 would have and TQ is the real issue that grenades the 200

[bobspacin80ta]

The 700 in stock form will not hold up to a stroked 400 either.A GN is only about 200 pounds less then the TA. They have put the 200 behind 10 sec GNs for years with no probs. Ask Lowmile how his is holding up. A built buick BB has tq you wouldnt believe.

[LOMILETA]

Yeah, I read that article about 2 years ago. I think it was originally on a Chevy Website.  Anyone that tell you a 200 wont hold up to torque if full of it. YES, Stock, they are not as beefy as the 700, but they have upgrade parts like any other tranny.There are NO stock trannies made that will hold up to 500+ hp. This past summer at Summit/ Norwalk Raceway, at the Buick meet, I personally watched the first Gn to run under 8 seconds ( actually 7:97 ). Now, I dont think without somekind of huge torque you could get  a car to go that fast. My car has well over 500 lb/ft, and my 2004R has not had a hiccup in 4 years, since it was put in the car.

[RainMan]

Yeah, I read that article about 2 years ago. I think it was originally on a Chevy Website.  Anyone that tell you a 200 wont hold up to torque if full of it. YES, Stock, they are not as beefy as the 700, but they have upgrade parts like any other tranny.There are NO stock trannies made that will hold up to 500+ hp. This past summer at Summit/ Norwalk Raceway, at the Buick meet, I personally watched the first Gn to run under 8 seconds ( actually 7:97 ). Now, I dont think without somekind of huge torque you could get  a car to go that fast. My car has well over 500 lb/ft, and my 2004R has not had a hiccup in 4 years, since it was put in the car.

Well I hate the idea of a transadapter ,as then you have to add a spacer where the torque converter sits .
Wish the heck they could have gone BOP with the 700 but then theres reality . I just can't over how weak and undersigned the input drum looks on the 200 .They showed me one in the shop and they say there are upgrades  ,but they can cause problems also as they end up breaking in a differant area and taking out the planetaries .
Also they claimed they could build a much tougher 700 for one third the cost of a 200 ,and the 200 wouldn't compare .
I would just like piece of mind if I did something like that but I suspect I would end up being afraid to use to much gas if I had the 200 . I guess just don't perform when your out of town to avoid it grenading .

I know I may be over concerned  really ,as some articles claim the 200 can be superior .
Beats me how thats possible though ,as you don't have to be a raving genuis to see the 200 is inferior in over a dozen ways .

btw Guys ,I suspect these Guys running 9 second GN's are tearing there trannies apart after each weekend of racing to inspect them  ,so I wouldn't put a ton of merrit on that

[y88rick]

I know a guy who also has a built up 200 in his 74 ta. he takes that one on the hot rod power tour. he's a tranny guy and put that in near 8 years ago and still no problems. I intend to run with a 200 some day in the 71

[LOMILETA]

I know I may be over concerned  really ,as some articles claim the 200 can be superior .
Beats me how thats possible though ,as you don't have to be a raving genuis to see the 200 is inferior in over a dozen ways .

If you build your motor, You had better get your T350, out of the car, because the T400 is stronger, and the 350 IS gonna leave you stranded somewhere. This is just an analogy, but the trannies are as different as the 200 & 700. It doesnt matter what performance trans you have, if it isnt built right, they all are grenades waiting to go. The guy I had do mine has been doing them for over 15 years, and is 1 of the top 5 builders of the 200's in the country.

[brian c]

Any improperly built tranny will grenade. It doesn't matter if its a 200R4, a TH350, a TH400, or a 700R4.

A 200R4 CAN be built to handle the power of your car rainman. You've got testimonials above that show they've held up to long term use/abuse. I'll be one as well once I get the money set aside to have a properly built 200R4 setup for my 455.

[bluebyu64gp]

Ahhh come on guys, just get an IAII block and you can bolt any GM tranny you want to it with out any spacers.  There, problem solved, of course another eight grand...but who's counting anyway!!!

[brian c]

<----

I am - already have WWWAAAYYY too much tied up in mine. Over 60k and that's when I stopped counting. That number has increased since I stopped counting. That's a lot of coin for a block.

[RainMan]

Hey Brian sorry I pmed you as I thought you already had a 200R4  and was curious to see how you liked it .
I have to say I don't like the hassle of custom fabricated mounts and adapters that a Guy would be stuck with doing a 700R4 although  I am sure they would be much tougher after rebuilding them  .I don't think I like the idea of such a low 1st gear either  the more I look at it . Thanks for the input Guys

[Grand73Am]

the lower first gear would help if you're running a higher rear gear, like 2.73 or 3.08. And with the higher rear gear, you'd get an even better overdrive final ratio.

And thanks for posting that article. The 200 parts really look puny next to the 700's .

[RainMan]

And thanks for posting that article. The 200 parts really look puny next to the 700's .

well that part scares me a little ,and our local tranny techs think there a joke compared to a built up 700 ,but I hate the hassle of it all . The 200r4 has its perks  in a few ways  ,like it actually bolts up and no driveshaft resizing .Plus theres aftermarket crossmembers so its a total bolt in.
I understand now they are making some autos with replacable bellhousings just like a standard .
WIsh they did that years ago .
They also mentioned there was a company that saws the bellhousing off and re welds the one of your choice .Sounds a little drastic ,not to mention expensive .
Hey I suspect the TV cable has to be added as you dont use them unless you have a an OD tran?

[RainMan]

the lower first gear would help if you're running a higher rear gear, like 2.73 or 3.08. And with the higher rear gear, you'd get an even better overdrive final ratio.

I think theres a point where you can have to much OD,unless theres no speed limit  .I mean it would be preferable to stay in the area in which your engine is most effeciant I suspect . I cant see going below 1800 rpm on the highway being to good .
But I'm no expert 

I just think having a 3.73 rear with an OD would give a T/A  a totally differant experiance .
The first gear in a 200r4 is already lower than a turbo 350 ,making it feel as though you have a 4.11 gear ,and to boot you get an OD . I think this is the best of both worlds IMO

[LOMILETA]

The first gear is actually higher 2.78 as opposed to the 2.52 in the T350. Also at 70 mph, my car runs at about 21-2200 rpm, with a 3.23 rear gear.

[RainMan]

The first gear is actually higher 2.78 as opposed to the 2.52 in the T350. Also at 70 mph, my car runs at about 21-2200 rpm, with a 3.23 rear gear.

yes I meant it gives you more gearing with  a 200r4 having a 2.74  first.
I am a little disappointed with your rpm in OD    
This means I am going to be reving to high on the highway  having a  3.73 in the rear dif .
I wonder how a 3.55 rear would work . There must be a chart to figure this stuff out