Is a 200r4 worth it?

[The Big Green]

I have a friend uncle that may give me one for nothing. I have a 400t now with 4.11 gears and its getting about 16mpg, but I could use the 4th gear. I will be pulling a trailer and 2001 dakota cc to the shows and dragraces, so I need something that can be built to hold up. I know the 350 and 400t's are good strong trannys, but know nothing about the 200r's. Would it be worth it? I rebuild myself so it should be faily cheap. My dakota has a 727 and it was going to be $900 to have it rebuilt and it cost me $60...lol, so for now on I do my own rebuilds.

[gn4u2c2]

yup a+trans check out www.turbobuick.com for some good build info . If you need a cheep core I can get you a refenence make sure you get a bfr or cfz code

[Longhorn Man]

the 200 4R is a great tranny, but honestly, I would hesitate to put it in a tow rig.
I WOULD certinly question your speedo/odometer... 16 MPG in a small block truck is hard to swallow.... put a 4.11 gear in that mix, and it is very hard to swallow.
Not sayin you are lieing to us... I just wonder if your numbers are right.

[cdowns]

i towed alot of weight on long distance runs with a 2004R tranny without problems it was perfect with the 4:11 gears//the tranny was an expensive purpose built unit that cost me in the $2300range with me doing the installation//i had a 350 somewhere between 275-300hp 4:11posi gears and on my best days came close to 17mpg

[Gray Ghost]

Gotta disagree with this one having had two in my '86 MCSS back in 2002. They are the weaker of the two four speeds from that era and ONLY the Buick Turbo versions are worth a second glance. They were originally built for cars with equal to or less than 180hp and they were never offered in trucks. The Buick got different versions of the 200 rated at a much higher HP capability...don't ask me what the differences are exactly cause I got CRS, but they are substantial.

Sure, you are going to hear of some and maybe even see one, but in my experience they are way too weak unless professionally built and that gets real expensive [$1600 or more]. A much better choice is to find a 700r4 and have it rebuilt [avg cost $850-$1250]. Even my transmission guy tells me those trannys are only a good choice for a dog motored vehicle...and especially not one for anything that can haul or tow.

[The Big Green]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

I WOULD certinly question your speedo/odometer... 16 MPG in a small block truck is hard to swallow.... put a 4.11 gear in that mix, and it is very hard to swallow.
Not sayin you are lieing to us... I just wonder if your numbers are right.

LOL, what speedo/odometer? You mean these are suppose to work? Mine haven't worked in about 7 years, and haven't worked correct for 5 years before that. I check my MPG thru tanks, fill it up, and just drive to town, fill up again, and see what is takes to top it off, its quick and easy. I take how far I drove and the gallons it takes to top off the tank again, and divide them, and thats the MPG. I always wondered myself, but after thinking, I remembered that, just because I build a engine the same as my buddy does, same parts and everything, one of us will win the race, no 2 engines are the same. I have a 2001 dakota cc with a 1000hp on the spray, getting 13mpg, if not 14.



I have a buddy with a 65 Chevelle, 383, 7 flat 1000ft on 400 shot on 2 stages, with a built 700r getting like 17mpg and pulling the tires 1st and 2nd gear. I know the 700r is a good tranny but a good strong rebiuld shouldn't cost me over $200ish with me rebiulding. I had a buddies dad rebuild a tranny in a 99ish chevy with a 5.3 and it was going to cost him $800, did it himself, $27 with fluid...lol...it was a tiny spring.


68gmsee
LOL, faarreee, and you can't beat free. I think I'll do it. I have a buddy, and his dad owns a D-shaft shop, that means I pay next to nothing, do it myself and pay for the parts I need. Heck, I'll throw the 400t and old shaft in back, and if it breaks the first tow, I can swap them and be on my way...lol.


Thanks guys, but free is free, and its too good of a deal to pass up. It may blow up, but I tried, right? I just can't see a chevy part being no good. I had a 350t with tow package behind two 350's, 425hp's , and a 700hp 468 with a 400 shot, and it barely slips today, if I installed it now, I think it would be ok with a Lucas bottle...lol. I'm not trying it though. I think about it more, but free may be worth the try, and with NO shop rebuilding, it will be cheap.

[68gmsee]

Originally Posted by The Big Green

................. I think I'll do it. I have a buddy, and his dad owns a D-shaft shop, that means I pay next to nothing, do it myself and pay for the parts I need. Heck, I'll throw the 400t and old shaft in back, and if it breaks the first tow, I can swap them and be on my way...lol.

Thanks guys, but free is free, and its too good of a deal to pass up. It may blow up, but I tried, right? I just can't see a chevy part being no good. I had a 350t with tow package behind two 350's, 425hp's , and a 700hp 468 with a 400 shot, and it barely slips today, if I installed it now, I think it would be ok with a Lucas bottle...lol. I'm not trying it though. I think about it more, but free may be worth the try, and with NO shop rebuilding, it will be cheap.

Man, I admire your positive attitude... I consider myself a mechanic of sorts, but I tried to overhaul a powerglide once and after I took the cover off decided it was not for me... Had too many small parts that could easily get lost of put in the wrong place. Some day, I may look inside another one...

[Long Roof]

I would question a stock 200 for towing. 200's can be built to handle some pretty stout motors but they cost serious coin for that kind of performance. I wouldn't trust a granny sedan 200 for towing.

[shortbed70]

I just got done doing a 700r4 swap out of 91 chevy 1500 and I couldn't be happier but I also was looking at the 200's but like you wasn't sure. I would say have your driveshaft shortened and go 700 but be sure to set the cable correctly. If they are built(200r4) with hp parts they will be about as strong as a 350 but the 700 built with the same parts are stronger by far. If your going to spend the money to build and od trans just go gearvendors od unit and have 6 gears...

[Arad68]

I have got a 200r4 in my 79 Trans Am behind a 455 that has been the best trans I have ever had. My 455 is stout with over 500ft/lbs of torque and 480 Hp. I got lucky and bought it e-bay for 1K. I took it apart and looked it over before I put it in and it was what it was advertised as. By far the best ones are the ones that came in Grand Nationals or Buick T-types. I "bang" on mine all the time and it has hung in there like swimwear. As with any trans, it has to be built to take it.
Scope out these links...

http://members.aol.com/powerrslid/thm2004r.html

http://www.442.com/oldsfaq/T200%20TH2004RTransDetail

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sum...o/700R4p1.html

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...wap/index.html

[68gmsee]

I'm not a transmission person, but this one is FREE! And you're going to do the rebuild to boot..

I'd say give it a try and hold on to the t400 cause you know that it's a good one just in case you're not happy with the 200r4. If you're getting 16mpg now you may be able to help that a little.

[Longhorn Man]

setting up the TV cable will be a pain if you don't get your hands on the pressure guage to check the line pressure. A geomitry correction bellcrank on the carb is also needed for long life of the tranny, and a lock up controller is money well spent too.
For your shaft, you can get the shaft out of a TH350 truck, and it'll slip right in, this way you'll have a drive shaft to put in with the TH400 as a back up per your indicated plan.

[Gray Ghost]

I sure hope you have good luck with it...you are a much braver man than I.

[The Big Green]

Thanks Longhorn Man. I'm sure I'll get stumped on the pressure and the little things that a non-od tranny doesn't have.

68gmsee,
They are tricky, but it can be done. Thing to remember if you rebiuld one, is that there is a LOT of small parts. Take it apart on a big sheet of cardboard or something, lay everything out in order, and never take more than 2 days to rebuild. Thing is, is they are very tricky, and if you take too long putting it back, you will forget how it goes. If you want to give it a try, take an old wore out tranny, my first was a slipping 350t. A rebiuld kit for one is not over $60 bucks, if that high. I rebiult installed and it worked great, even installed a shift kit.

[Arad68]

Here is an additional link...

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/index.shtml

[Mondo]

I had a 700 that wasn't set up right and burned it up fairly quick in a previous truck.
In my new truck I just replaced my T350 with a 200r (with lock up) and it's pretty good. The only complaint I have is that it won't kick down out of lock up soon enough and the motor pings unless I really put my foot in it. I drive around town in the 2nd position and it's exactly the same gearing as the 350... kick it up on expressways and she cruises great.
I've had it at 2 transmission shops so I think it's as good as it's going to get.

[Longhorn Man]

mondo, do you mean the 200 4R, or the 200 metric?

[Mondo]

It's the one out of a Grand National... 200r I believe. Actually got it from a shop that specialized in these. Nice firm shifts etc... I don't tow anything though.

First gear is taller in the 200r compared to 700r

[Longhorn Man]

200 4R then. 4 speed automatic overdrive.
the 200 was a compleat box of crap, the 90 horse 2.5 in a Monza would give it a hard time.

[Mondo]

The 700r is much more popular as it's got a lower first gear and is stronger. But my truck motor is pretty stock and I was trying to save a few bucks (200r is about $300 cheaper and you don't have to shorten the driveshaft if you have a 350trans).

I think more shops work with the 700r so I don't know if I'd do it again.

[Frizzle Fry]

On the drive shafts; is there any trans/tailshaft combo that will allow a th400 to be replaced with and AOD without a DS change/mod?

[The Big Green]

I'm still decidingon a OD tranny. I want to go with the best one, but I'm not sure where to get a 700r4 if I go that route. They are more expensive, but price isn't the problem. I want a good, easy to deal with, OD tranny biult for towing.

[mrein3]

Originally Posted by The Big Green

I'm still decidingon a OD tranny. I want to go with the best one, but I'm not sure where to get a 700r4 if I go that route. They are more expensive, but price isn't the problem. I want a good, easy to deal with, OD tranny biult for towing.

If I followed this thread right, through various attempts at a hijack, it looks like you want to get an overdrive, automatic transmission in your truck to pull a dodge (how fitting) to the race track.

IMHO, if you are planning to mostly tow with this vehicle, you're wasting a lot of time and money. You should NEVER tow in OD on these older (700r4 and 200-4R) transmissions. My understanding is that GM did a bunch of work on the 4l80 and put a tow/haul button on it so you can tow in very modern OD trannies.

I have seen NUMEROUS 700r4s burned up while towing thigs as insignificant as a 14 foot Alumacraft boat with at 25hp outboard. Stuff doesn't get much lighter than that.

If you really want an overdrive transmission, tow in drive (or whatever YOU call the gear that has a 1:1 ratio out the back of the tranny), not overdrive. You will benefit from the lock-up in the torque converter and we won't have to read on these pages that you burned it up pulling a dodge to the race track.

[kcjones]

Originally Posted by Frizzle Fry

On the drive shafts; is there any trans/tailshaft combo that will allow a th400 to be replaced with and AOD without a DS change/mod?

I'm with Frizzle - I have a TH400, and would like to someday go to AOD. I just (3 months ago) put $1100 into the 400, but eventually I want better mileage. Does either the 700 or 200 have the same outshaft as the 400? Or is either the same lenght?

Don't mean to hijack, so feel free to ignore me...

[The Big Green]

mrein3
I plan on towing on weekends, sometimes, mostly in spring/summer, but I drive it a lot. I want good gas mileage, but I have other cars, I can drive. I have to add, if I can't find anything good for a tow rig, plus everyday driving, I'll stick with the 400t.


Whats everyone opinion/best way to go, on towing? I can stay with the 400t, and not be out any money, except gas mileage, or I can go with a new OD tranny, and get better mileage, but maybe not any better when towing, and be out money for a new tranny. I'm just trying to do whats best here. What gear would be best for a load this size? I'm thinking the 4.11 is best though.