200r4 or 700r4

[keith4909]

So I'm thinking of pulling my th400 to add an overdrive. I'm running a 474 Pontiac with about 450-460 hp and 550 plus tq. I have a 3.07 rear 12 bolt posi. I'm seeing either tranny for about 2200 to handle my power but which is best. I know the 700r4 has a lower first gear which would help my tall rear gear. I know the 200 will bolt right up. Any thoughts? What other parts will I need and how long do they typically take to swap out? Anything special I should know? Thank you

[blown32]

I just put a new 700R4 from Bowtie Transmissions in my son's C-10 about 2 months ago. He's running a 383 stroker right at 460 HP, so happy to have an overdrive and glad to get rid of the TH400. Converting over to the 700R4 wasn't painful. We had to move the cross member forward a little and cut about a 3/4 of an inch off of the drive shaft.
Bowtie was great to work with and gives you everything you need, with a helpful technical service as well. Best of luck!

[cpd004]

If I'm not mistaken, your factory cross member will also work with the 200. I used one behind a 400 with a 3.45 rear gear. My 400 was just a mildly built motor but did have EFI. I used a kit from shiftworks for the cable. I had a local guy rebuild a 200 out of an Olds 442. I couldn't find one out of a turbo Buick, so this was the next best thing I could come up with. If you do go 200, make sure it is a core from a performance based car. It shifted great and never gave me any trouble in 4,500 miles of abuse. I think ours was out with the old in with the new in about 3 hours. Had to wait on a new shaft though after everything was measured up.

[keith4909]

Do youn know if the first gear and 4th gear are able to be changed. I would like a slightly lower gear to compensate for the 3.07 rear end. I like that the 200 will bolt up without an adapter plate but which is stronger? They are about the same cost when built strong. Do you know if the th400 torque converter can be reused? How difficult is it to set up the tv cable? If I need a new converter will it mate to my flex plate? Thank you

[84TXGN]

I'd go with the 200-4r. It will bolt right in and is more than capable of handling that power if built correctly. You have more than enough torque for the 200's first gear as well. Look for a 200 from a GN, Olds 442, or Monte Carlo SS for the good valve body. You can get an aftermarket if you have to. Just go with a good reputable builder and it should last a long time.

[cpd004]

I can't help with most of your questions as I went from a th350 to the 200. The power and abuse the turbo Buick guys are putting 200's through should answer your strength question. There are guys that specialize in building the 200 for those cars. What car is this going into?

[Interceptor5588]

TH400 converter will not work, with either a 200 or 700 you will need a converter. Grab a used factory D5 converter from some GN guy that's upgrading. Stall was rated at 2400 in a GN, mine stalled at about 2500 behind a 400hp Pontiac 400 so yours should be a little higher. Make sure you continue to use the lockup, with that 3.07 rear you will be well under stall speed at highway cruise and it will slip unless it's locked.

Trans will bolt right up, slide the crossmember back a little, hog out the trans mount holes, rework the cooler lines a little. If you use a yoke from a 200/700 donor car it should account for the difference in driveshaft length, just grab one and check that before you start. Existing cable will work but you will not be able to get Low without the detent kit from Shiftworks. They also have a backup light kit that eliminates the column linkage.

Check with CK performance or some such whether you can change first gear, I've never heard of anyone doing that but I am aware that you can do the opposite now on a 700. Do yourself a favor and get a drain plug installed in the pan.

[hifi875]

ive got a built 200 w/ art carr 2800 stall w/lockup. does a great job and ive beat the crap out of it. Make sure you put atleast a 2nd gear billet servo in it

[Craig@Bowler]

So I'm thinking of pulling my th400 to add an overdrive. I'm running a 474 Pontiac with about 450-460 hp and 550 plus tq. I have a 3.07 rear 12 bolt posi. I'm seeing either tranny for about 2200 to handle my power but which is best. I know the 700r4 has a lower first gear which would help my tall rear gear. I know the 200 will bolt right up. Any thoughts? What other parts will I need and how long do they typically take to swap out? Anything special I should know? Thank you

Have you considered keeping the TH400 and just adding the Gear Vendors unit to it? If you have a good transmission already I think that would be the best way to go. Especially if you like the gear set you currently have but just want to add overdrive.

[TexasT]

if you decide on a 700r4 or q 2004r be sure to get the tv cable and brackets set up correctly. tvmadeez.com has some pages on the how, what and why of getting it done.

If you want some of my opinion on setting up a 2004r for decent power let me know. I put mine together and it has been in the car for over a year. Still makes me giddy inside when it hits the crisp 2-3 shift.

[keith4909]

I actually found someone selling a freshly rebuilt 2004r with all the billet goodies. The tranny was built and freshened up by ckperformance. Got it for a great price too 1700.00. New they go for over 4K. Pretty happy. Got lucky again because it came with two lockup converters 2400 and 2800. Now which stall to use???