200r4 experiences?

[mossyback]

I am in the process of changing to a 200r4 transmission in my street rod. The engine made 640hp and 595 ft./lbs torque on the dyno. I currently have a TH350 transmission. Can someone share their experince with this type changeover? I want a quality, durable transmission and dont want to "cut corners", as everything else on the car has been detailed nice.

[jakespeeds]

I ran a 200R4 in my Nova SS for years. With both a big block and a small block. Although I never ran anything near the horsepower you are going at. I never had a problem but I had a guy who was real good build it. Had the power on full time and setup the ground to my cigarette lighter. So I push it in and the converter locked up. I have never heard of anyone running that much power in front of that transmission.

Jake

[bishir]

Search any turbo Buick forum for information about the 200r4 and what should be done to survive high HP applications. I can tell you from experience that a stock or mildly built one won't last long in your application. If you want to talk to somebody about one or you're thinking about a purchase/modification of the one you have I highly suggest you contact Lonnie Diers of Extreme Automatics. (513) 898-0553. (Hope that's still his number....) Stand up guy who finally got my $3300 setup I bought from another 'expert' to work.

[FULMNTE]

Ran an Art Carr-built 200R4 behind a ZZ4 crate engine in my 86 Monte for years and now have that tranny installed in my Big Block Monte as well. No problems when its built right...

[72'Monte]

you can get them to handle big power but it can cost a bit.art carr is the men to talk to.

[mossyback]

Thanks everyone, and after researching; I believe I am going to order a Stage 3 unit from Lonnie at Extreme Automatics and a new torque converter. I have been impressed with the feedback regarding his 200r4 experience.

[cutlassmann]

Did u get your trans yet wanted to know how did u like it ?

[obengston]

I also have the 2004R Stage 3 built by Extreme Automatics with his Trans Brake, and a 3500 convertor came with a 2yr warranty. I have had it installed for several months now, and love it.

[sportcoupe]

I did some searching and came across Loni Diers Extreme Automatics and picked up his Stage II.
Doing the swap this winter and will check in the spring. Only four more months :)
Apparently his Stage III can handle cars into the 9's.
Cheers!

[cutlassmann]

What TV cable are u going with

[sportcoupe]

I had planned on the TV Made EZ but now comparing to Bowler.
Will order soon.

[sportcoupe]

I had planned on the TV Made EZ but now comparing to Bowler.
Will order soon.
Wonder which one one obengston used? Hint, hint.

[obengston]

I had planned on the TV Made EZ but now comparing to Bowler.
Will order soon.
Wonder which one one obengston used? Hint, hint.

I used the Bow Tie overdrive setup TV Made EZ (http://www.bowtieoverdrives.com/catalog/catalog_inc/viewitem.php?ITEMID=218) , but the only thing with this is the bracket is flexing where the cable connects, which is not good because it can change your overall set-up. I'm okay with it only because I installed a pressure sensor on the side port of the transmission (the same port they say to put a mechanical pressure gauge when setting up the tranny). This way I'm always monitoring the pressure through all gears at all times. The biggest killer in these transmission I feel is not having the pressure correct. If the bracket bends to much or something happens I will see it on the pressure gauge, which I have connected to my Dakota Dash (but you can always add a external gauge inside the vehicle as well.

[sportcoupe]

Thanks for the quick reply, got my hint. Lol
I'm back with TV Made EZ and best to add an on board pressure gage.
TCI mech gage may be on the list, Autometer only make a temp gage no psi gage.
What do you think?

[obengston]

Thanks for the quick reply, got my hint. Lol
I'm back with TV Made EZ and best to add an on board pressure gage.
TCI mech gage may be on the list, Autometer only make a temp gage no psi gage.
What do you think?

Link me to what your talking about. I personally would only use one the uses a sensor, would not run any mechanical inside the car with pressure that high (just me)

[sportcoupe]

Can't seem to link it with my iPad, #801100 TCI from Jegs.
Never gave it a thought of running 300psi into the car, guess I would know if it leaks pretty quick.
I would run it with the -4 braided line kit not the plastic or copper 1/8" line.
Would that be better?

[obengston]

Can't seem to link it with my iPad, #801100 TCI from Jegs.
Never gave it a thought of running 300psi into the car, guess I would know if it leaks pretty quick.
I would run it with the -4 braided line kit not the plastic or copper 1/8" line.
Would that be better?

I guess it would be a little better. IMHO why would you not just get a 0-300 pressure sensor and run it to a gauge with just wiring just seems safer and easier, and if you use a digital gauge you get a exact pressure with just a quick glance while driving. Plus it is easier to route wire. Your way I guess will work, just not the way I would go.

[obengston]

Have you already ordered your tranny?, and are you installing it?

[sportcoupe]

Most the dirty work is done, got the trans from Lonnie when I was down in Virgina Beach vacation, day trip to Bethel NC. Shipping to Canada would kill me and a purchase like that, I want to be there.
Worth the trip.
I did the install myself, now just the little time consuming things before it comes off the stands.
What gage and wiring options do I have to go electrical like you say? Interior is all stock and was thinking of putting this gage in the glove box. Only gage got is a tach on the column.

I actually have the TV Made EZ because Lonnie recommended that. The thread about the Bowler kit caught my attention because everywhere I've read, you NEED to check pressure regardless what kit you use.

[obengston]

I live about a hour drive from Bethel, was glad he moved his business there, because like you I like to speak to the person in person If I can. I have one gauge mounted in the glove box, which is my tranny temp gauge. So if thats where your wanting to put your pressure gauge I would go Digital, because you could easily open the glove box while driving and see what the pressure is easily. Any pressure sensor 0-300, and wire it to any gauge that will read 0-300 pressure. No different than the oil pressure gauge except a higher reading. What type of car is it going in? I will see if I can find the gauge and sensor I was going to use before I ended up with the Dakota Digital Dash and wired mine to that.

[sportcoupe]

Yeah just googled Jacksonville NC, not that far from him.
I thought the gage and sender had to be compatible, can't mix and match is what I thought.
Going into the 56 Sport Coupe in the avatar. I built a 355 with alum heads and hyd roller. Approx 475/hp with 9" and 3.89 gears. Can't wait til spring.
You got yours in the Camaro?

[obengston]

Yes, Have it in a 68 Camaro RS. Have run it a few times at the track as well (10.6 in the Qtr without any tuning of the suspension). Another thought just in case you run into it. With the Easy TV system they have it calibrated using their plunger in the tranny. When Lonnie built mine he said the plunger he uses will be good, but I had trouble when I went WOT the plunger would bottom out and I actually was not at WOT. So use if you have this issue and you don't have enough adjustment to fix the problem then install the one from the kit. You may not have this issue, but in case you do. I just installed the New Fast 2.0 in mine, still trying to get it to be perfect............

[obengston]

Also on the gauge/sender best thing to do is call a company (like AEM) and ask them if your use one of their 0-300 sensors, what gauge can or will work with it. I think thats what I originally did, but ended up with my current set-up.

[sportcoupe]

NICE... 10.6
Lonnie set me up the same way with the plunger spring from him. As per how Lonnie told me to set it up was with the pan off and driver activate the gas pedal and watch for plunger to reach full TV just as I reach WOT at the carb.
Sounds like we both got the same speech lol.
Heard all great things about that man.
Here in Canada everyone knows the 700r and the mention of the 2004-r, they just look at me as if I'm crazy. Gotta make a trip to Lonnie, lol.

What gage set up are you using? Part numbers would help, remember I'm Canadian and don't have all these suppliers readily available, there is this thing called a border and anything that crosses it, costs multiply. Ask me how I know lol.

[obengston]

Yes exactly what he said is correct. Except I could not adjust mine out enough to reach WOT because the plunger was bottomed out. I gave Lonnie the one from BTO and explained to him they said I needed to use theirs but he said his would work, when it didn't I called him and he just made me one that was the same as the one from BTO, and sent it to me. So far love how it performs, and with a 2yr warranty not bad, plus he is more than ready to help out.

[sportcoupe]

Just seen the FAST 2.0 video........WOW nice clean car!!
If you come up with the sender and gage number let me know.
Battery going on my iPad, almost ready to shut down.
Good chatting and Merry Christmas.