700 0r 200 trans swap

[gimmy 64]

i really need to chnge my tranny to overdrive. it is a 64 gmc and i think it has 3:90 gears. what i want to know is the people that have done this did you go to some one like gearstar or junk yard and have it rebuilt. and cost of rebuild. trying to figure which way to go

[tenni126]

With anything junkyard, particularly anything junkyard that has to hold fluid either in or out, you run the risk of the unknown. Example, my "freshly rebuilt 350" pulled from a wrecked suburban broke it's crank in half on the way home three days after I put it in. Back out for a new crank and bearings. And the price of 700R4's has come down alot (I paid 1300 all in for mine). I haven't had one rebuilt, so can't help you there. But the more I've been looking, the less good stuff there is at a good price to pull out of the yards, at least around here.

[Clyde65]

When I was looking for a 700 to replace my 400, I was quoted $850 plus my 400.

[allengator]

I buy used... but never pay more than what its worth as a core...
If it works... GREAT
If not... then rebuild it!

[gimmy 64]

i just talked to the guy from Gear star. a built 2004r trans shipped to my door is $1900. that includes fluid, stick. tranny cooler.torque converter,tv cable. these are built for up to 400 horse, and come with 3 year warranty. sound okay?

[Clyde65]

ummm, I thought there wasan add in the latest Classic trucks that had them advertised for like 1195.00. You could call Pheonix transmission here in Texas if you want a comparison.
Most of the "built for 400 HP" are priced around there.

[gimmy 64]

that price is for shipping, core,crate? etc. complete

[Clyde65]

ill look when i get home, i thunk it was about 1195. but i could be wrong.

[shortbed70]

If I had it to do over again I would buy new with a warranty. Ive got almost 1k in mine and it doesnt have all the good parts in it. Depending on if you have a long or short shaft trans depends on wjhat would be the most straight forward swap.

[Russ65C10]

700R4 and get from someone local. Never buy mail order, I went though 3 TCI 700R4's (first 2 in 2 months under warrentee) and I have a stock 283.

A 200R4 would fit easier but you would have to get one that was built by someone the really knows what they're doing to get one strong enough to stand up to 305 V6 and its torque.

[fleetsidelarry]

Russ65 makes a interesting point. do you have a chevy engine or a jimmy v-6? is the bellhousing pattern the same?

[Dirty Doug]

I thought the 200R4 was stronger??? What was the advantage over the 700R4 that they were using them? Didn't they use a 200R4 in the Turbo Grand National's? I would use the 4L80e but the ECM costs are to high.

[gimmy 64]

it's a 300 horse 350, gearstar trans are built to handle 400hp. differance between 700 and 200 mainly is that the gearing on 200 are closer the 700 has a large drop of between 1st and 2nd.

[shortbed70]

You are correct about them used in GN cars but they were alittle beefier than say a monte carlo trans. The 200r4 is a direct swap for a short shaft th350. Both trannys have their faults and strengths. I have a 700 and really dont like the drop between 1st and 2nd. Get one from a reputable place and talk to them about their trans and compare. There used to be a post in engine drivetrain about the two...

[Dirty Doug]

I was trying to remember why a couple of my street rod buddys were swaping out to 200's and a few were building cars with 700's. You just made me recall it all. Guys I knew that were just putting in 700's ran into verius problems, (they brought on themselves) cutting corners or to much power and nobody having enough experience with them. And others using 200's were swaping out the 350's and saying it was a easier swap. They thought it shifted better too.
Thanks for your help with my memory 70 and 64 !

[maynardtruckin]

I rebuild transmissions and I will tell you that a quality built 700r4 or n4l60 will out do and out last the 200r4. The best advise I could give you is to go to your local book store and find a book titled GM Automatic Overdrive transmission Builder's and Swapper's Guide. It is part of the Performance How-To book series put out by SA Design. The book will run you about $25-$30 and will help you make a choice and will help you save money by telling you what to look for in a used trans. As it show's the 700r4/4l60 has better shift points than any of the over drive transmission's except for the 4l80e witch is pretty much identical the 700r/4l60. As for the bell housing bolt pattern they have never changed in these transmission's. The weak part of the 200r4 is a sun gear in the gear set. It was made from pot metal and were prone to break or wear out prematurely, but there is a after market replacement that is billet steel.