1988 caprice, what transmission? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

1968GMC · 10-07-2003, 08:22 PM

I have a chance to buy a 88 chev caprice 6 cyl for $200. Does/should it have a 700r4 transmission, and did they come with anny other trans? Also, I immagine its a 4.3 correct me Im rwong but if it is will the serpentime belt set up work on my 350.And for stupid question #3, can I use the rear end from the car? I know the bolt paturn is not the same as a truck but at least it will be 5 bolt. Whil Im at it will the front rotors work on i lowerd spindels? Sorry for all the stupid questions.

Leinie · 10-07-2003, 09:22 PM

I'm guessing it is a 200r4 tranny. It is a 4 speed overdrive built for light duty in rear drive cars. It has no provisions for changing the tail from 2 to 4 wheel drive like the 700r4. Cant help with your other questions

**68 Stepside** · 10-07-2003, 09:29 PM

I'll guess it's a 200-4R as well, the 87 caprice trans I have was behind a 305, and it's a 200-4R.

Longhorn Man · 10-07-2003, 10:34 PM

Actually, if the engine is the 4.3, the belt set up should work. Don't forget to swap over the water pump and fan assembly too. (They rotate backwards)

dinnut · 10-07-2003, 10:45 PM

now thats interesting

fast67chevy2002 · 10-07-2003, 11:23 PM

I don't want to steel the thread, but how do you tell the difference between a 200R4 and a 700R4, I pulled a 305 and tranny w/ od out of a 84 caprice and a 350 and tranny w/ od out of a 86, how do I tell what I have?

Longhorn Man · 10-07-2003, 11:51 PM

Take a look at the pan.

Tx Firefighter · 10-08-2003, 10:00 AM

Yes, the belt setup will work. I've done lots of V6 to V8 swaps in late models. Like was said, make sure and use the water pump too, because it turns backwards. V6s use a different harmonic balancer. Use the right V8 one and everything is bolt on.

1968GMC · 10-08-2003, 07:04 PM

thanks guys for your ansers. Will a th 200 r4 work?

Leinie · 10-08-2003, 07:38 PM

As long as it's 2 wheel drive you could use a 200r4, As long as your not pumping too much power. I don't know if you can get a high performance build done on a 200 or not. Check with a good tranny shop.

Longhorn Man · 10-08-2003, 10:34 PM

You can get plenty done to a 200 4R. They are better than the 700 R4 in some ways, yet worse in other ways.
It is an easy one to fit in though. Place the crossmember in the TH400 location, and use a drive shaft for a TH350.
Then all you have to do is worry about adjusting the TV cable properly and hooking up the lock up converter. (don't leave it disconnected...it'll slip too much in OD)

ABHaulR · 10-09-2003, 12:56 AM

i have a 2004r in my sub. it has a 350 with 40 inch tires. it works great, yes the tail shaft is fixed but when you use a 2 1/2 ton transfer case(divorced) it doesnt matter. the weight saved was worth the problem. as for strenght, at bowtie overdrives they say a 2004r will hold up to 470hp when built right. the nice thing about an OD is you cane go as big a gear as you want and still have the freeway gear to cruise. and it is a direct drop in for the th350. the 2004r has two different bellhousings. a universal and the chevy,

Dwayne

10-07-2003, 08:22 PM	#1
1968GMC love my truck Join Date: May 2001 Location: aylmer QC Posts: 648	1988 caprice, what transmission? I have a chance to buy a 88 chev caprice 6 cyl for $200. Does/should it have a 700r4 transmission, and did they come with anny other trans? Also, I immagine its a 4.3 correct me Im rwong but if it is will the serpentime belt set up work on my 350.And for stupid question #3, can I use the rear end from the car? I know the bolt paturn is not the same as a truck but at least it will be 5 bolt. Whil Im at it will the front rotors work on i lowerd spindels? Sorry for all the stupid questions.

10-07-2003, 10:45 PM	#5
dinnut Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: missouri city, tx Posts: 4,486	now thats interesting __________________ 70 longbed 496/th400/Ford 9"

10-07-2003, 11:23 PM	#6
fast67chevy2002 Dad's little helper Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Helena, MT Posts: 194	I don't want to steel the thread, but how do you tell the difference between a 200R4 and a 700R4, I pulled a 305 and tranny w/ od out of a 84 caprice and a 350 and tranny w/ od out of a 86, how do I tell what I have? __________________ too many projects: 61 biscane 67 swb(shaved) 73 Fiat spider 124 Sport 84 Pontiac Grand Prix 86 olds cut. sup. Last edited by fast67chevy2002; 10-07-2003 at 11:26 PM.

10-08-2003, 10:00 AM	#8
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	Yes, the belt setup will work. I've done lots of V6 to V8 swaps in late models. Like was said, make sure and use the water pump too, because it turns backwards. V6s use a different harmonic balancer. Use the right V8 one and everything is bolt on. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

10-09-2003, 12:56 AM	#12
ABHaulR Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: West Valley City, Ut Posts: 311	i have a 2004r in my sub. it has a 350 with 40 inch tires. it works great, yes the tail shaft is fixed but when you use a 2 1/2 ton transfer case(divorced) it doesnt matter. the weight saved was worth the problem. as for strenght, at bowtie overdrives they say a 2004r will hold up to 470hp when built right. the nice thing about an OD is you cane go as big a gear as you want and still have the freeway gear to cruise. and it is a direct drop in for the th350. the 2004r has two different bellhousings. a universal and the chevy, Dwayne Attached Images __________________ 72' GMC Suburban 10 1/2" of Lift, 40" Tires! Waiting for restoration 67' Chevy, What to do??? And Bad Ass American Bulldogs!

10-07-2003, 09:22 PM	#2
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	I'm guessing it is a 200r4 tranny. It is a 4 speed overdrive built for light duty in rear drive cars. It has no provisions for changing the tail from 2 to 4 wheel drive like the 700r4. Cant help with your other questions

10-07-2003, 09:29 PM	#3
68 Stepside huh? Join Date: May 2000 Location: Washington, Illinois Posts: 5,690	I'll guess it's a 200-4R as well, the 87 caprice trans I have was behind a 305, and it's a 200-4R. __________________ Someday when I'm lonely, Wishing you weren't so far away, Then I will remember Things we said today. RIP El Jay

10-07-2003, 10:34 PM	#4
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Actually, if the engine is the 4.3, the belt set up should work. Don't forget to swap over the water pump and fan assembly too. (They rotate backwards)

10-07-2003, 11:51 PM	#7
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	Take a look at the pan.

10-08-2003, 07:04 PM	#9
1968GMC love my truck Join Date: May 2001 Location: aylmer QC Posts: 648	thanks guys for your ansers. Will a th 200 r4 work?

10-08-2003, 07:38 PM	#10
Leinie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: USA Posts: 2,613	As long as it's 2 wheel drive you could use a 200r4, As long as your not pumping too much power. I don't know if you can get a high performance build done on a 200 or not. Check with a good tranny shop.

10-08-2003, 10:34 PM	#11
Longhorn Man its all about the +6 inches Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Hilliard Ohio Posts: 2,690	You can get plenty done to a 200 4R. They are better than the 700 R4 in some ways, yet worse in other ways. It is an easy one to fit in though. Place the crossmember in the TH400 location, and use a drive shaft for a TH350. Then all you have to do is worry about adjusting the TV cable properly and hooking up the lock up converter. (don't leave it disconnected...it'll slip too much in OD)

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