which way 200r4 or rear gear

[mikey531]

I am currently running a mild 350 w/turbo 350 with 4:10 gears. I need to do something for better gas mileage and highway driving. Part of me wants a cruiser with 3:08 and smooth running with decent acceleration not a racer. My old life as a drag racer wants to be able chirp the tires into second gear with part throttle, and well it happened the other day I left a stop and it started spinning and I didn't have brains enough to let off.. I figure being almost 60 no cop would believe it was me doing that anyway ! I am considering the 200r4 with the 4:10 and maybe having my cake and eating it too ? Or keeping the turbo 350 and changing the rear gear. Opinions? Suggestions?

Thanks

[oldgold70c10]

I'm planning a trans swap for my '70 burb. Going to a 700R4 with the 4.10 rear end. Should be pretty darn good out on the highway if I've done my math right, so your 200r4 plan sounds good IMO.

[ebfabman]

I have a 250 6 cyl, 2004r with a 3.73 rear and its perfect for both in town stop and go and highway cruise.

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I have a 70 stepside with 700-4R & 3.08 rear & 350 engine. It is a pleasure to drive. The low 1st gear steps right out & you can use direct drive till you get out on the open road & kick it in o-drive. The engine quietens down & it'll cruise 70-80 mph. The 200-4R is weak unless you get someone to beef it up.

[69GMCLonghorn]

The truth is: MORE GEARS ARE BETTER, regardless of what the rear end gear is. If that wasn't the case, we'd all still be running a PowerGlide. If you have the option of adding a 4th gear instead of just changing the rear end ratio, do it!

I'm still waiting to hear from someone that has put a Gear Vendors behind an overdrive tranny with 4:10's. I think that would be a SMOKIN' set up! Great low end, 8 forward speeds, cruising at 70 MPH right around 1900 RPM, and the ability to ALWAYS be at the perfect RPM, regardless of what you're doing...

[mikey531]

My plan is to change the transmission OR the rear gear I didn't want to do both, unless I went to 3.73. I do think I am going with the 200r4 as it will require the least change, and I can beef it up a little. I keep thinking I will outgrow the drag racing gene... so I won't be driving it too hard...

[cdowns]

i had a 2004r and 410rear loved it got 16.5 long distance highway runs at 85-90mph thats with heavy spawmeet loads

in the northeast check out www.fbperformance.com he's been building very stout 200's for many years

[mikey531]

Now I still don't know what to do .. I had a early 700r4 given to me.. I was told by a reputable transmission shop that they could rebuild and install including shortening the driveshaft, shift kit and torque converter and TV cable for less than $1000. I also just found a 200r4 for $150. Which way do I go ?

[cparman]

find an rpm calculator on the net. plug in your rear tire size, gear ratio and mph and it will tell you what the rpm will be. If It were mine, it would get a 3,42 rear gear 200r4, and I think you would be 1600-1800 at 70+

[mikey531]

I had already checked those I do want to keep the 4.10's The 700R4 will give me 2322 at 65 and the 200R4 will give me 2222 which is within my rpm range I just can't decide which transmission !

[capev86]

just put in a good 200-4r.....all you need is an overdrive. my dad put the 3.73 rear axle from his 84 burb into his 87 (3.08 gear) and it woke it up. gas mileage drop was negligable because a soft gear AND overdrive just makes the engine work hard unless you have a diesel with tons of torque. i have a 4.01 third member for my 72 burb 3/4 ton with the HO52 rear (4.57 gear0. that will be a solid 10% drop in rpm to road speed. i want to keep good gearing in my truck for towing (it is a 3/4 ton truck after all) and figure the rare factory borg warner overdrive unit for the saginaw 3 speed (manual on the column) will get me another 30% on top of that when driving solo on the highway. a 3.73 is the best choice in a 1/2 ton if you do anything besides solo driving at 85mph all day long.