best overdrive tranny?

[mikegi]

looking to change th 350 tranny to an overdrive.whats the best fitting used tranny to get,is there a non electronic? thanks for the help

[krue]

I'm about to put a 200-4r into my truck. I'm using the same driveshaft from my th350, gotta move the tranny crossmember back a few inches and put a bracket on the intake and nipple on the carb for the tv cable. Also using a harness for the lockup convertor that I'm assembling from jy parts. www.bowtieoverdrives.com has kits to do all of this without the scrounging I'm doing.
700-r4 is a similar install except it's longer so you'd have to shorten your driveshaft.
200-4r is ~ same length as TH350 w/6" tailshaft
700-r4 is ~ same length as TH350 w/9" tailshaft

[mikegi]

thanks for the info,i also found the goggle link,lots of info there.

[mnunn454]

Originally Posted by mikegi

looking to change th 350 tranny to an overdrive.whats the best fitting used tranny to get,is there a non electronic? thanks for the help

I'd compare the torque limits on the various transmissions before I'd go much farther. I think from your signature you're running a TH350 in a 3/4 ton truck. If it's a decent or large V8 If so, your TH350 may only be a "marginal" transmission now.

As I understand it the TH200-4R is the lighter/weakest of most of the V8 overdrive trannys (maybe even weaker than the TH350), but it's the easiest one to swap to. It can be upgraded with H/D parts to handle your torque levels, but the cost could be a factor. TH700-R4s are a little heavier duty (seek a 1987 or up version) but as krue said, there's more work required to install it. The 4L80 is the stronger of them all (roughly equivalent to a TH400, only with Overdrive) but only comes in an E (4L80E) electronic version and therefore requires a fairly expensive controller for use in a non-computerized application ($500 to $800 the last I checked). Adding a Gear Vendors O/D to your transmission is another heavy duty option, but it's even more expensive than any of the paths above.

If your engine's torque output doesn't normally excede the TH200's torque/HP limits, that'd be a great choice. If it does, I'd opt for a TH700 and bite the bullet on the extra fabrication work required to install it. (My TH700 is from Bowtie Overdrives and it's surviving behind 500HP/550TQ. Including converter I think is cost $2200 about 3 or 4 years ago). If you're running a HUGE engine and if you could get a known good 4L80E for cheap, then I'd go that way and buy the separate controller. You might even end up cheaper that way.

One other point. A few months ago, I saw an ad in a popular car mag for a rebuilt TH200 or TH700 for $1,300. Don't recall if that included shipping, converter, etc, but I seem to recall it was for apps up to 500 ftlbs. If that seems reasonable to you I'll hunt for the article.

Once you've decided on which tranny you need, our site vendors should be consulted before making any final choice though.

Hope it helps.

[Sport/Truck]

Originally Posted by mnunn454

. TH700-R4s are a little heavier duty (seek a 1987 or up version) but as krue said, there's more work required to install it. The 4L80 is the stronger of them all (roughly equivalent to a TH400, only with Overdrive) but only comes in an E (4L80E) electronic version and therefore requires a fairly expensive controller for use in a non-computerized application ($500 to $800 the last I checked).

The 4L80 & the 4L80E are the 700r4’s? The 87 & up applies to trucks, cars-or both?
Sorry for the newbe question.
s/t

[mnunn454]

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

The 4L80 & the 4L80E are the 700r4’s? The 87 & up applies to trucks, cars-or both?
Sorry for the newbe question.
s/t

To my knowledge there's no such thing as a 4L80. Only the 4L80E. That's why a controller is "required". (BTW, Powerblock TV just this AM advertized a controller ranging $1100 to $1300.)

4L80(E) is not a 700R4. It's more like a TH400 with Overdrive and electronics added.

4L60's are a redesignated 700R4 and come in electronic and non electronic versions, the former being called a 4L60E. In strength I place them roughly equivalent to a TH350, plus an overdrive. The 4L60E would be like a TH700 plus electronic controls.

It's Jeep related, but you can read lots of GM transmission history and precise info here: http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge...on_gateway.htm

But they don't include a page on the 4L80E for some reason.

Here's another
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turbo-Hydramatic

Here's one on the 4L80E tranny
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_4L80-E_transmission

Hope it helps.

[Gray Ghost]

You're right....forgot the 'E'.

[kevenj]

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

The 4L80 & the 4L80E are the 700r4’s? The 87 & up applies to trucks, cars-or both?
Sorry for the newbe question.
s/t

the 700R4 is also known as a 4L60. The later electronic versions were called 4L60E.

The 4L80E is heavier and replaced the TH400. There was no "non electronic" version of this tranny.

[Sport/Truck]

I’ve seen an electric over drive that can make a 3 speed into a six speed. Anyone use these? Probably expensive though.
What cars do you look for a 200r4 & 700r4 in? any issues using the 200r4?
Thanks
s/t

[cdowns]

i only like to do the same job once so i'd not look for a cheap used overdrive tranny// save the money up and get a quality built tranny for your engine drivetrain requirements// i had very good luck with a 2004R with non locking converter for ease of install ,maintenance and durability// either one the 200 or 700 when built-right will give you excellent results

[gmc67swb]

Originally Posted by Sport/Truck

I’ve seen an electric over drive that can make a 3 speed into a six speed. Anyone use these? Probably expensive though.
What cars do you look for a 200r4 & 700r4 in? any issues using the 200r4?
Thanks
s/t

Gear Vendors...kinda pricey..... http://www.gearvendors.com/prices.html
My vote goes to the Tremec

[meathead95]

yes everyone says the 200 is weak. but that is what came in the turbo charged buick grand nationals. so i wouldnt think they where to bad.

[Gray Ghost]

Those were very different 2004r's. Most of them were built only to withstand 200 hp & 250 ft.lbs. torque. I'd stay far away from anything short of a 4L80 in a truck. I've had two 200's [El Camino Conquista and Monte Carlo SS] and one 700 [in an S-10 Blazer]. You couldn't give me one at any cost. The 200 in the Buick GN was totally different from the normal prduction tranny and they are very rare these days [& pricey].

Remeber these two trannys were built in a time when GM was strapped for cash and shortcuts were being made everywhere.

If you just have to have one, get the 700....it will last a bit longer even in stock form. My advice is to get a shift kit and have it built professionally.

Smart money goes to the 4L80 [also applies to the 4L80E]. They are very well built four speeds.

You could also get a Gear Vendors OD to go behind the tranny you have but it's expensive [$2500].

[DoobieBrother]

I've been debating on what to do in mine too. I have dreams of a pretty stout motor. It's got a GM 350 crate motore in it now that I've been thinking of building up. So replacing the trans now I need to think ahead. That said, I've kind of been looking at this guy's stuff. Seems to be a pretty good builder. I've just started looking and educating myself. Anyway he sells on eBay or will build whatever you want.

http://stores.ebay.com/Mad-Dog-Transmissions

He also builds 700r4's and others with no electronics, which is probably what I'm going to seek.

[jorgensensc]

I just recently went through the same dilemma on the '56 Bel Air. I bought a tranny from these guys:
http://www.phoenixtrans.com/
Everything I have heard is that they make an awesome 2004r tranny. THat is what I used in my build with a mild 350. The shop that recommended them says they have installed over 2 dozen of them and have not had one come back yet. It looks like a solidly built tranny. Just an option. Hope it helps some.

As a side note, I recently went to have a driveshaft modified for another project and it was 45.00. So the expense of the driveshaft modification is negligable in my mind if you really want the 700r-4 tranny. You will have to move the crossmember for either tranny, so I wouldn't let the driveshaft modification worry me too much.
SHawn

[mnunn454]

Some Corvettes came with TH700's. If you could find one of those it'd be a little stronger than a "normal" one. Probably costlier too.

[Rokcrln]

I had a 700R4 custom built for my 71 SWB that is guarented to hold up to 700hp out of a small block for 2yrs. It is just behind a 93 vett LT1 putting out about 350+hp so I should be good to go. For my 70 c10 some day I will go with a 2000 or newer stock 6.0L with tranny (4L80E I think) out of 3/4ton truck. I had a 2000 3/4ton work truck that I beat 277,000 miles on without a single problem before turning it back into our shop for a new vehical. I would pull 10-14k lbs quite abit and I was never easier on it. It held up great!

Kevin
LFD Inc.