200-4R Swap Questions

[trac209]

Originally Posted by davepl

I had my tilt column which I ordered around the same time to be built with a 4 speed lens, which they did. So if he can find them for Tilt, they must be out there for regular columns as well.

I will throw out that the cooler lines are reversed on a 200 vs a TH400. Don't know if it matters (might still work just fine backwards through the radiator) but isn't optimal unless you swap them, but verify in case my memory is bad on this one.

Otherwise a pretty simple install because the length is so close to your original. It's a bolt-in for a powerglide or TH350.

Don't underestimate the importance of the TV cable. Is it NOT a kickdown. It controls line pressures inside the trans (like how hard clutches press together) and it will shred the guts of your trans if it's not adjusted properly (or left unconnected). Don't attempt to drive it without that.

Why gm made these units depend on that very touchy cable adjustment for working is beyond me,all it does it make a inherently weak trans even weaker. I will never run one of those vs a th350 or Th400. Id rather run a bit less gear and keep it strong and simple. Ive seen so many burnt 700r4's its silly.

[LockDoc]

If you haven't, I would also read this:

http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/Inst...GUIDELINES.pdf

I installed one in my '69 Suburban and it worked out good. The first one I had a guy gave me and it turned out it was bad. The second one I got from a local salvage yard and it worked good. Another thing, do not use a 3.07 rear end with the 2004r, it is to high of gear for the OD, the trans will overheat. A 3.73 is about right.

LockDoc

[davepl]

Originally Posted by trac209

Why gm made these units depend on that very touchy cable adjustment for working is beyond me,all it does it make a inherently weak trans even weaker. I will never run one of those vs a th350 or Th400. Id rather run a bit less gear and keep it strong and simple. Ive seen so many burnt 700r4's its silly.

My 200-4R lived nicely behind a ZZ502 in a 4200lb car with slicks. They're a fine transmission when properly built but need to be set up correctly as you note.

The adjustment isn't really touchy, it's pretty trivial when you've got a factory linkage setup, really. The problem is we try to use them in other applications without factory linkage brackets and people do a poor job of it, then they burn out and people call them weak.

I'd rather have a 6 speed transzilla, but they're close to $6K I think!

Or one of the new A8s would be really sweet too! I have a 4L80E and could still use a few more gears.

[pappy 2]

hey LocDoc

I purchased a 71 that po had installed a 200-4r in. The trk is running 3.07 gears. Have not driven much, just around town. If what you say is fact, I will for sure change out the gear ratio.
The transmission was built by Tobbys Trans. shop somewhere in Florida.
813-382-1696 is the ph. # Seems like nice people had get some infor from him once.

[James the III]

Originally Posted by trac209

Why gm made these units depend on that very touchy cable adjustment for working is beyond me,all it does it make a inherently weak trans even weaker. I will never run one of those vs a th350 or Th400. Id rather run a bit less gear and keep it strong and simple. Ive seen so many burnt 700r4's its silly.

Why, you wanna know Why, Well I'll tell ya why..
EPA AND C.A.F.E. REGS..
off the throttle idling like in traffic,, it unloads the engine..
part throttle with less pressure (but enough to not slip at factory rated torque) = less loss at the pump as higher pressure takes more h/p torque..

And why the 2004 in the Ss had different parts and the gn had different parts. it was set up for the power the engine made, and give the best mpg, epa emissions and c.a.f.e ratings..
same thing was done with the 7004r with different parts in the f body and different parts in the vette..

This is the same reason they went to electronic control.. it does the same thing, but doesn't require a cable that stretchs that no one checks /adjust at service intervals like g.m. called for..

Nothing wrong with this trans other than they were designed when v8's and v6's didn't make much power.
And need stronger parts added when used behind hotter engines.
no different than putting a th350 behind a bbc.. you would not do that and rebuild it as stock.. as it was not designed to take that type loading..
There is a reason g.m. never backed a big block with a th350..

The 2004r and 7004r get a bad rap because peope stuffed them in for the o/d without upgrading parts, and had no clue on how to set up and check the tv cable..
most that burnt them up had the tv cable on the th350 downshift part of the carb linkage.. a no no..